Like many other states, Pennsylvania is quickly seeing its family courts lean more towards enforcing co-parenting over giving one parent sole custody of the children in a custody case. The idea of co-parenting, according to Money Crashers, is when both parents work together to parent their children. You each retain your authority and rights over the children as if you and the other parent were still together as a couple. 

Co-parenting successfully means being able to work with your ex-partner without hostility or arguments. You must be able to negotiate. It is important the focus of your interactions remains on the children and what is best for them instead of what either of you wants. You must be able to work through conflict together and respect each other. 

This type of arrangement is thought to be more beneficial for the children. It provides more stability and less stress. It causes less of an impact on the children in a divorce situation because both parents remain in their lives equally just as before and changes are not as radical as they might be under another type of custody arrangement.

Challenges to co-parenting often come when you have had a bad divorce. If you or your ex-partner are holding grudges or upset over the end of the relationship, it can cause issues with successful co-parenting because such things must be put aside. However, by approaching co-parenting with an open mind, everyone can benefit, and it can make things easier in the aftermath of a divorce. This information is for education only and is not intended as legal advice.