Can a Parent Whose Job Requires Them to Travel Obtain Custody?

There are a variety of factors courts will look at when determining which spouse in a divorce will have primary physical custody of the couple’s children. Courts want to create an arrangement that’s in the best interests of the children—that means placing them in a home with parents who are capable of fulfilling all their needs and being loving, competent guardians.

So what happens if you have a job that requires you to travel frequently? Will you still be able to obtain child custody?

How frequent travel could affect child custody

It is important to note that courts will absolutely take into account the nature of your job, including the hours you work and the frequency and distance of your work-related travel. All else being equal, it would not be surprising for the court to opt to place children in a home where the parent has a more traditional job with standard hours and little to no travel over a home in which the parent frequently travels for work.

That being said, “all else being equal” is not a scenario that typically happens. Instead, your travel for work is likely to be just one of many factors that the judge will have to consider. This single issue is not likely to be the one that tips the balance out of your favor, but it is part of a larger spectrum of issues that will affect the child custody arrangement.

So in short, yes, it is still possible for you to obtain custody of your children if you frequently travel for work. However, you must be aware that courts will generally prefer a more stable household for children, so you will need to demonstrate your competency as a parent in other ways.

For more information about child custody arrangements, contact an experienced family law attorney at Bryan L. Salamone & Associates.