- 08-Aug-2025
- Marriage and Divorce Laws
The rise of work-from-home (WFH) arrangements has had a significant impact on how parents balance their professional and personal lives, especially in the context of shared custody or visitation schedules. As more parents work from home, custody plans and parenting time arrangements may need to be adjusted to reflect the new dynamics of the family structure. Whether it’s the ability to provide more flexibility or a new childcare routine, work-from-home setups can play an important role in how parents share custody of their children.
One of the most significant advantages of working from home is the flexibility it offers. Parents who are able to work from home may have more control over their schedules, enabling them to spend additional time with their children. This flexibility can positively impact custody agreements by allowing for:
Work-from-home arrangements can also reduce the need for external childcare. This can be especially useful when determining the amount of time each parent can spend with the child during their workweek. Parents working from home may be able to provide:
Work-from-home parents may have more opportunity for co-parenting collaboration. For instance, if both parents are working from home, they can adjust their schedules to allow both parents to share custody more equally or to provide flexibility in the visitation arrangement. This can improve the overall co-parenting dynamic by:
As work-from-home setups may not be permanent, it is important for parents to consider how to handle potential changes in their custody arrangements. If a parent transitions back to in-person work, the custody arrangement may need to be modified to reflect the new work schedule. Courts may consider the following factors:
While work-from-home arrangements can provide more flexibility in parenting time and childcare, courts will still prioritize the best interests of the child when making custody decisions. Factors courts may consider include:
Parents may need to establish clear communication and co-parenting guidelines when one or both parents are working from home. For instance:
If work-from-home arrangements significantly change a parent’s ability to provide care or alter the family dynamic, parents may request a modification of the custody order through the court.
When making adjustments to the visitation schedule or parenting plan, it’s important to document the new arrangements in a formal agreement. This may include whether the child will stay with the work-from-home parent for more time or how to handle childcare during work hours.
If a parent is unsure about how to incorporate their work-from-home arrangement into a custody plan, consulting with a family lawyer can help ensure that any changes are legally sound and that the best interests of the child are prioritized.
Communicate clearly and transparently with your co-parent about any changes in your work schedule or work-from-home arrangement that may impact the child.
Even while working from home, it’s important to set clear boundaries for work hours versus parenting time to ensure that the child’s needs are met without interference from professional duties.
As both parents’ work situations change, it’s important to periodically review the custody agreement to ensure that it continues to serve the best interests of the child and reflects any changes in work situations.
Jane works full-time in an office, but due to the pandemic, she has been allowed to work from home for the foreseeable future. Jane’s ex-husband, Mark, has a job that requires him to be in the office, which leaves him with limited time to spend with their daughter, Emma. Jane is able to adjust her work hours and have Emma with her more often. She suggests increasing Emma’s time with her during weekdays when she’s working from home.
By addressing these issues collaboratively and through legal channels, Jane and Mark ensure that Emma’s best interests are maintained while also accommodating their work-from-home arrangements.
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