Ironically, it appears that children whose parents are in less conflict will fare best in either arrangement. Arrangements are planned around the children's needs and developmental requirements. Schedules are predictable and stable but flexible enough to change when circumstances dictate it. Parents live in physical proximity. Parents are careful to support and not undermine each other, regardless of their own feelings.
Financial resources are available to maintain two full residences.
Divorce mediation offers the best structure for discussing and negotiating both large and small details of the parenting agreement. Mediators are specially trained to help couples learn to communicate in the business-like way they will need to make joint custody work. Partners talk face to face and remain in control of these important decisions, rather than turning them over to the unknown outcome of 2 lawyers' negotiations or the judge's finding. Our adversarial system sets up the two parties to do battle with each other. This can be expensive both financially and emotionally.