3 Parenting Plan Mistakes To Avoid
When you're going through a divorce, custody can be one of the most difficult issues you and your spouse have to resolve. Sorting out the custody issues means more than just deciding who will have primary custody of the children – it also means setting the terms for visitation and planning for possible future events, from educational decisions to long-distance moves. The best way for parents to navigate custody matters after the divorce is to have a detailed parenting plan in place. Your lawyer from a firm like Wise Scheible Barkauskas will help you come up with a parenting plan to present to the judge, or will help you negotiate with your ex-spouse and their lawyer to agree on a plan. When you and your lawyer are putting together the parenting plan that you want for your children, here are some mistakes to avoid.
Being Vague
One of the most important things that you can do is use specific language. Don't ask for "frequent visitation" if you're the non-custodial parent. It will be up to the custodial parent to determine what "frequent" means, or up to a judge if the two of you disagree. Instead, spell out specific parameters, whether that's every other weekend, summer vacation, or specific holidays.
Another thing that you need to do is include alternate plans in case your visitation is canceled for some reason. If your child is unable to make visitation due to illness or a school function, are you going to want that time made up? If it's not in the parenting plan, chances are that it will just end up getting skipped.
Forgetting To Plan Ahead for Childcare
Who is going to be watching the kids during your visitation when you have to work or go out? How about when your ex has to work or go out? The two of you may not always agree on who should be watching the kids for the other person. The decision is ultimately going to be up to the parent who has the kids in their care at the time, but there is something that you can do to help ensure that you have some say over where your children are when they aren't with the other parent. You can ask for the right of first refusal in your parenting plan.
The right of first refusal means that, when the other parent needs a babysitter, they have to ask you if you can care for them before hiring a babysitter, bringing them to daycare, or leaving them with a friend or family member. If you can't care for them, then the other parent can leave them with the babysitter of their choice, but at least you have the option to take them when your spouse needs a sitter. Right of first refusal gives you more time with your kids, and it may help stave off future disagreements about childcare providers.
Failing to Ask for Access to Records
As the parent, you have a right to know what's going on at your child's school or with their health. In some regions, specific laws have been created just to address the problem of non-custodial parents being denied access to their children's health and educational records. However, even if you're in one of those states, you may find that there are roadblocks to getting vital information about your child. Schools and pediatricians may hesitate to hand over information to a non-custodial parent.
Ask your lawyer to include wording that clearly states that you are to have access to these types of documents. If it's in the parenting plan, you'll have a much easier time accessing the information that you need.
Helping you create a parenting plan is one of the most important things your divorce attorney can do for you – the parenting plan will be with you for years after the divorce is final. Choose an attorney with experience in custody issues to help you create the parenting plan that's right for you.