A parenting plan is more than just a schedule, it outlines the structure of how a child will be brought up when it reaches a particular level of independence (both emotionally and financially). This legal document comes into play when a couple faces divorce. It acts as a sort of tips on how to provide for a child and reduces the possibilities of arguments and confusion.
What is a parenting plan?
In the United States, a parenting plan/agreement becomes legally binding once it gets
approval by a judge. The party can face serious legal implications if they fail to adhere to the agreement and break rules unilaterally.
A parenting agreement also includes visitation schedules and schedules for vacations, birthdays, and other educational activities.
Drafting a parenting plan can be quite a challenging task as you need to make sure that you cover all sorts of possibilities in order to avoid legal trouble and learn fun educational activities with child.. A successful plan caters not only to the needs of the child/children but also respects your partner’s life.
Here’s a list of points you need to bear in mind while creating the plan:
1) Include all the details:
- Even if you and your partner share a cordial and mature relationship, you do not know what the future holds. We do not mean pessimistic when we say this,
- but it is extremely important to have a broader outlook when dealing with something of this scale.
- Discuss with your partner about their schedule and how they intend to accommodate the kid and provide for him/her.
2) Compromise:
- While creating a parenting plan, get ready to compromise and reach a middle ground. You can not always get your way and you need to also respect your partner’s wishes as well.
- While creating the plan, remember its sole purpose- fulfilling the needs of your child in the healthiest way possible. You might need to take a step back here and re-evaluate and prioritize your choices.
3) Do not make it too rigid:
- A good parenting plan is one that goes with space to grow into. If your plan is too rigid, then there is a high possibility of it falling apart as time progresses.
- Draw a plan and anticipate changes as time passes. There are several variables that need to be taken into consideration as you cannot always predict the future.
- Include points that specify that with the passage of time, your partner and you will need to experiment and try new rules in order to accommodate any new changes in life.
4) Hire a lawyer:
- An experienced family lawyer will have all the necessary knowledge and experience to help you deal with your situation.
- They can help you draft a flexible plan that will work for a long period of time and has less chance of falling apart. Nobody wants to go to court after every few months due to disagreements or violation of the contract.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, a well-thought-out parenting plan will help you make a smooth transition without being bogged down by court dates and legal issues. Have an open and honest conversation with your partner and remember to make decisions based on the welfare of your child.