--- title: "Split Custody" url: https://walllegalsolutions.com/split-custody/ updated: 2018-08-29 --- # Split Custody ## **![Family Paper Art - Split Custody Agreements in Utah - Wall & Wall Legal](https://walllegalsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/Split-Custody-1-300x158.jpg)What is Split Custody?** **In a split custody arrangement, parents are either divorced or separated and *split the children*.*** For example, the father has legal custody of one or more of the children, and the mother has legal custody of one or more of the children.* The children’s living arrangements vary from agreement to agreement, with certain stipulations required by law of all agreements. **Split custody is also referred to as rotating custody.* If you are considering split custody, and if it will work best for your family, ******consulting with an experienced attorney is in the best interest of everyone involved.** ***Our experienced Utah family attorneys at [Wall & Wall Attorneys at Law](https://walllegalsolutions.com/) can answer any questions you have and are here to assist you every step of the way. ** ## **Split Custody Arrangement** In a split custody arrangement, ***the children’s custodial time or [visitation](https://walllegalsolutions.com/PracticeAreas/Visitation.html) divides the children between the two parents***, **rather than all the children living with one parent at a time.** **Living arrangements may include:** - Children with siblings living independent of each other, separated from each other but living with one of the parents - Children with siblings living intermittently with each other depending on the arrangement of the custody schedule with assigned living arrangements alternating between parents - The children living with the parents with time divided equally between parents ***Court ordered mediation is often required to give both parents equal opportunity to work out the details of the parenting plan. A split custody arrangement is easier if both parents live close to each other.*** **In split custody arrangements:** - Each parent may still possess and share legal custody of all the children - Each parent always maintains physical custody of at least one child - A parent may have permanent custody of a child who lives with them permanently *Split custody arrangements cannot be used in all situations.* ***Parents must prove to the court that split custody is the only way to [best serve the interests and needs of the children.](https://walllegalsolutions.com/utah-courts-determine-best-interest-child/)***** In split custody arrangements, the sibling groups must contain two or more children who share the same two parents.** In contrast, when parents can work together and agree upon basic decisions without confrontations, split custody arrangements work well. ## **When to have a Split Custody Arrangement** **A split custody arrangement should be considered when:** - One or more of the children has behavioral issues that are better controlled by one of the parents or the environment that parent is able to provide. - When a child’s behavior becomes problematic due to the presence of their siblings, more problematic, that is, than age-typical fighting and sibling rivalry, it may be in the children’s best interest to provide separate living arrangements between the parents. Professional help is also advised. - When one or more of the children has special needs, it may be easier to provide for those needs when custody is split between parents. These special needs may include: educational, medical, emotional, developmental or social needs. - When one of the parents lives in an area that can better provide for the educational opportunities of a child, or provides opportunities for one of the children to pursue an interest not available with the other parent, the parent living in that area may gain custody of that child. - One or more of the children wants to have split custody living arrangements. As children become teenagers, their wishes can be taken into consideration. If a child wishes to change living arrangements from one parent to another, the parents may wish to honor their children’s wishes. **Split custody arrangements are rare because:** - Most courts and parents consider it best for siblings to remain together - Split custody makes it difficult for children to spend time together as a unit with each parent - Split custody makes it difficult for the children to spend time together as siblings ## **Experienced Family Law Attorneys at Wall Legal Solutions** There are several different custody arrangements to consider, and with [Wall & Wall Attorneys at Law](https://walllegalsolutions.com/), **our experienced attorneys are available to help you figure out***** what will work best *****for your family*****.** ***Our goal is to help you get *the best possible arrangement *in caring for your children.*** You can** trust Wall & Wall** to represent you fairly for the** best outcome possible**.* Feel free to**[contact Wall & Wall Attorneys at Law](https://walllegalsolutions.com/contact-us/)for a legal consultation or case review. **Call 801-948-2244 today! 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