Hi
Sorry if this question has been asked...just looking for the information how the childs primary residence is determined. My Ex is staying in the house, I am moving out and I have been the primary caregiver.
And we both want primary residence...
What factors do judges take into consideration when determining who the child is going to live with in case of joint custody?
thanks!
Primary residence is usually a non-issue in 50-50 co-parenting arrangements. If either of you are not moving out of the court jurisdiction then there shouldn't be a problem or a concern.
Where Primary Residency matters:
1. When one parent suddenly moves out of the jurisdiction.
2. When the enrolment of children at a school is impacted by this move.
3. The maintenance of government issued documents (passport, health cards, etc...) is linked to the primary residence.
If you are leaving the children's primary residence and you fight over it...
1. Generally the primary residence is the residence the children primarily resided at. So you are technically leaving the primary residence.
2. It isn't a huge deal unless services to your children are impacted (school) or you want to maintain "ownership" over documents. (Which are legally the property of the government.)
What needs to happen for co-parents or parallel parents:
1. The government systems need to recognize that children have and can have two primary residences. (With each parent.)
2. The government should issue two copies of all documentation (identifying the parental responsibility) to children who have two parents.
3. No parent should have "control" over the other parent by possessing this documentation over the other parent.
4. Primary residency should only matter when a parent leaves the jurisdiction the children resided in and services (government) are impacted by this move.
Good Luck!
Tayken