Pros and Cons of “Nesting” Arrangements After an Illinois Divorce

 Posted on December 05, 2018 in Family Law

Despite parents’ best efforts, children of divorce often feel a significant amount of stress during and immediately after the divorce process. Typically, when two parents divorce, one parent is the “main” caregiver that the child resides with the majority of the time and the other parent is granted specific parenting time, though this can be problematic for the child. In an effort to make this life transition easier for children, something called a “nesting” arrangement has been becoming more popular for families of divorce.

What Is a Nesting Arrangement?

In a nesting arrangement, both parents move out of the family home into separate living spaces. The children remain in the family home, and each parent comes and goes according to the parenting time schedule. Some parents share the separate living space as neither will be there at the same time, and some parents get different living spaces altogether.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Nesting Arrangements

There are many things to consider when making the decision to partake in this arrangement, which some may regard as unconventional. Here are pros and cons of nesting arrangements:

Pros

• Nesting focuses on the needs of the children, rather than the needs of the adults;
• Children have a greater sense of stability after the divorce because their living arrangements have not changed;
• Both parents are able to have parenting time with the children, so they do not feel at a disadvantage; and
• Nesting arrangements ease the children into a more permanent solution of two households.

Cons

• If the parents have two separate living spaces outside of the family home, it can be more expensive than maintaining two households;
• Parents who are not able to work together may bring more conflict into the family home;
• Nesting can make it harder for parents to move on and pursue new romantic relationships; and
• Children may get a false sense of hope that their parents will get back together.

Contact a DuPage County Parenting Plan Attorney

Whether a nesting arrangement would be beneficial for your family, at the Law Office of Martoccio & Martoccio, we can help you arrive at a decision through our client-centered approach to legal representation. Our skilled Hinsdale, IL parenting plan lawyers can educate you on your options and assist you in achieving your goals. Call our office today at 630-920-8855 to set up a free consultation.

Sources:

https://childteenfamilytherapy.com/nesting-plans-for-divorce-pros-and-cons/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/co-parenting-after-divorce/201307/birds-nest-co-parenting-arrangements