Charlotte Divorce Lawyer Blog
When parents divorce, some of the most important issues to iron out are those involving the children. Parents sometimes work things out amicably, but in some cases, they have some differences that they need to resolve. A parenting plan is a useful tool that can help and guide parents after divorce. A knowledgeable divorce attorney will assist you in ensuring that you have a useful parenting plan.
What is a Parenting Plan?
A parenting plan is a document that outlines the many issues that come up during child rearing. The document provides a guideline that parents must follow after a divorce. The parenting plan will become part of the divorce and may only be changed through the courts. It is helpful to make the plan as complete as possible to eliminate any disagreements or confusion that could otherwise occur. Here are some issues that you will want to include in a parenting plan.
Child Custody
There are two types of child custody, including legal and physical. Legal custody allows a parent to make decisions on behalf of the child, such as those regarding education, health, and religion. Physical custody refers to where the child resides. Generally, parents share custody with the child residing primarily with one parent. The other parent has regular visitation. A parenting plan should define the custody arrangement.
Visitation
A comprehensive parenting plan should outline how and when visitation with the children is to occur. This can change based on various factors, such as school, activities, and more. Try to create a plan that will work most effectively for the foreseeable future. Keep in mind that visits should be made in the best interests of the child.
Child Transfer and Transportation
Child transfer and transportation are especially important when parents have a less-than-amicable relationship. Make sure that you address where, when, and how children will go between parents. Consider issues such as school pickup and drop-off, childcare, and transportation needs for vacations and holidays.
Holidays and Vacations
When you create a parenting plan, it is helpful to consider holidays, vacations, and time off from school. For example, you may want to alternate holidays with the children. You will also want to include vacations or time that children can spend with their grandparents and extended families. Making these decisions now will provide some stability and reduce confusion in the future.
Healthcare
If your child gets sick or has a medical emergency, you should know how to handle the situation. If a major decision must be made regarding your child’s healthcare, you should have an understanding of when to make the decision alone and when you need to consult the other parent. Parents need to know how to contact each other in case a problem arises.
Communication
Parents should set up specific details regarding how they will communicate about their children. Some parents choose to set up a regular weekly call to talk about the issues that week. Parents may also want to work with a digital schedule so they can both access and keep track of important events and things that come up. It is particularly helpful to set up a communication schedule for those parents who otherwise have trouble communicating with each other.
A detailed parenting plan will serve to guide both parents and children and provide a stable environment for the family. To learn more about parenting plans, call us at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to schedule a consultation.
The family law practice group at Arnold & Smith, PLLC includes multiple Board-Certified Family Law specialists and one Child Welfare Law specialist, as well as several attorneys with many years of family law experience that are committed to providing a powerful voice to individuals facing the often-tumultuous issues in this area of law.
The range of issues our family law clients may be facing include pre- and post-nuptial agreements; separation agreements; post-separation support; child support (both temporary and permanent); absolute divorce; divorce from bed and board; military divorce; equitable distribution of assets; child custody (both temporary and permanent); retirement benefits and divorce; alimony and spousal support; adoption; and emancipation. Because this area of the law is usually emotionally charged and complicated, the family law attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC act with the utmost dedication to ensure that each client understands his or her options, and then act to achieve the best result possible for that client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/family-and-children/child-custody
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/parenting_plan
See Our Related Video from our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ArnoldSmithPLLC?feature=watch
See Our Related Blog Posts:
What to Include in a Parenting Plan in North Carolina
Child Custody and Parenting Time in North Carolina