Is nesting an option for your family after divorce?

One issue that many parents run into during divorce is being unsure of how they’re going to control custody of their children. If you have a child who you feel is easily upset by changes in routine or who may not adapt well to changes in your schedule, then it can be hard to figure out the right thing to do.

There are all kinds of custody arrangements available to parents who divorce, but one that you may be particularly interested in is bird nesting. Bird nesting, or simply nesting, is when you and your spouse maintain the family home together to allow your child to remain in the home. You and your ex-spouse take turns living in the home, essentially requiring you both to have your own residences outside your one-time family home.

Bird nesting can work for families who are willing to work together

It may go without saying, but nesting probably won’t work for those who can’t interact with each other or exes who regularly disagree about how to take care of a property or their children. In your case, look at how you’re approaching your divorce to determine if nesting might be right for you.

For example, if you and your ex are willing to be around each other regularly and are on good terms, keeping the family home might make sense until it grows in value or you see your child graduate from high school. There are many reasons to maintain a property in both your names, and bird nesting could be one of them.

The trick with bird nesting is that you do need to have the financial support to live in two places. For instance, if you can afford an apartment and your mortgage, then you may agree that keeping your child in the family home is for the best. If you can’t afford to live in two places, it may make more sense to have a more traditional custody arrangement and to sell or rent out the family home. This is something to discuss with your spouse and your divorce attorney, so you can decide what the best method for moving forward may be.