If you’re in the process of a divorce and have children, developing a parenting plan will be an important and necessary step for outlining what each parent will be responsible for regarding child support and their upbringing. Creating this plan can also help foster better communication, reduce conflict and make the process easier on your children. Learn what to include in a parenting plan below.
Parenting Schedule
Drafting a parenting schedule is one of the most important parts of the plan. It should explain how the time and frequency with your children will be dispersed. This should include school pickups and drops offs, and any other pertinent details regarding weekends and so forth.
Holidays and Special Occasions
Also consider what will make sense and be fair when it comes to how your children will spend and share time for vacations, holiday breaks like Christmas, birthdays, and any other special occasions. Consider other needs like who will pay for travelling, and how much advanced time will be needed to inform the other parent about a trip. Make sure to develop a specific plan, not only for now, but for the foreseeable future.
Spending Time With Family and Friends
Your parenting plan should cover the time and communication between friends and relatives, like cousins, aunts and uncles. Discuss and explain what the arrangement will be for this, and who should be excluded from visits.
How to Deal with Changes
Even with a carefully laid out plan, challenges can arise, which can force changes to the schedule. If something does come up, it will be greatly beneficial to have an outline for this too. Consider changes based on emergency situations, how much time will be needed in general to suggest a change in plans, and how to deal with unexpected scenarios respectfully when they occur.
How to Make Important Decisions
Finances can become a major obstacle for maintaining respectful dynamics between divorced parents. To avoid conflict for the sake of your children, include information on how to handle the various costs of living for your children. This should include topics like medical, school, and general costs of food and clothing.
Communication
It’s important to determine how you will communicate with your co-parent, how often you will, and also how each parent will stay in touch with the kids if they are away.
When you need to create a suitable and complete parenting plan, our legal experts can assist you at Zuber Brioux. We have lots of experience dealing with family matters and cases relating to divorce. Get in touch today.