Making joint custody work

Previously published in Examiner

Part 1 of the Joint Custody series

When we think of joint custody we think of a couple divorcing and each parent would have an equal say and equal time with their children. The divorce rate in Montreal is increasing according to StatsCan (Statistic Canada) and the highest amount of divorces tend to occur in the third year of marriage. Over all the rates have tripled within the last three decades. Divorce rates for second marriages are on the rise as well. The divorce rate for second marriages has rise by 15 – 16 percent across Canada.

However, in our society it is not uncommon for couples to have children together yet not marry. In Quebec and Montreal almost 30 percent of couples are living in a common law union. There are often children born into these unions. The stability of these union over all are not as strong as an actual legal marriage. Montreal couples tend to break up more often in a common law relationship.

The children are still affected by the loss of one of the parents if they had been co-habiting together. The situation becomes even more complicated if the parents were unmarried and never lived together.

The recognition of unwed fathers who want to have an equal share in their child's life is becoming more common. Court battles for child support payments and joint custody issues are surfacing quite frequently.

To be continued

Montreal Single Parents Meet up Group

For Montrealers looking for a meetup group to share experiences

http://www.meetup.com/The-Montreal-Single-Parents-Meetup-Group/

Sources:

http://www.adrr.com/adr4/joint.htm

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/marriage/