Divorcing parents who have enjoyed a comfortable marriage have many options when they separate or divorce. The end of a high-asset marriage may lead to a unique custody arrangement.
Parents with enough income to cover housing expenses may be able to offer their children a birdnesting custody arrangement. Such arrangements can limit the stress that children experience and keep the family’s daily lives as predictable as possible.
What does a birdnesting custody plan involve?
Birdnesting references the conduct of parents who have baby birds in the nest. Typically, birds make nests that are only large enough for one adult bird to sit on the nest at any time. Therefore, one parent is on the nest with the eggs or hatchlings while the other is off gathering food or resting elsewhere.
A birdnesting custody arrangement involves each parent establishing a separate residence outside of the family home and then spending time in the home during their scheduled time-sharing. The children remain in the same home and can attend the same schools.
In some cases, couples may actually renovate their homes to allow for two separate living facilities for the parents or to add a mother-in-law’s apartment to a detached garage or other outbuilding. Birdnesting arrangements can be a practical means of limiting the stress that transitions cause for the children in the household while keeping them connected to their existing support network.
Discussing different custody solutions with a skilled legal team can be valuable for parents on the verge of divorce. While birdnesting custody arrangements are uncommon, they can be very helpful for high-asset parents navigating a divorce, especially when children are young or if they have special needs.