How Would ‘Birds-Nest Custody’ Affect Renovation Plans?

• April 22, 2016|
• News|
• admin-malbern

There is a growing trend for ‘birds-nest custody’, which stipulates that children in divorced marriages remain in the family home while parents fit their living arrangements around them to avoid disturbing their daily routines.

According to Co-op Legal Services, 11 per cent of divorced adults in the UK have adopted ‘birds-nest custody’, moving in and out of the house while the kids continue to live there.

What’s more, 64 per cent think this arrangement, which kicked off in the US, will become more common in Britain over the years.

However, if this is to be the case, it raises the question of who would be in charge of making decisions regarding property maintenance and renovations?

For instance, there would need to be agreements made over who arranged, and paid, for double glazing Stockport specialists to come in and update the windows, or whether to add a conservatory to increase the value of the property.

Despite the many challenges this type of agreement may bring up, 16 per cent of divorced and separated couples said they would have done this if they had the chance again for the sake of their children’s wellbeing.

Head of private family at Co-op Legal Services Tracey Moloney said: “Separation and divorce can be difficult and upsetting times for families. This new arrangement is very much about putting parents’ needs aside and focusing on the children.”

Keeping kids close to their school, friends, after school clubs and things they are familiar with would be better for them, many separated parents believe.

In addition to this, 18 per cent said it would be a good financial move, avoiding selling their house when the property market is weak.