Most divorces feature a significant amount of paperwork and decisions that must be made. When a divorce involves children, a parenting plan is one document that must be included. This plan should give parents and children a clear structure for how daily life matters will be handled after the separation or divorce at issue.
There are many concerns that have to be addressed in a parenting plan, including a parenting time schedule, rules for exchange days and how disagreements will be handled. A plan should be as detailed as possible to prevent disagreements in the future.
Special considerations for parenting plans
Holidays and school break schedules are one of the more common “special considerations” addressed in parenting plans. Those parenting time schedules are often much different than a standard schedule. Parents should think about summer vacation, spring break, winter break, birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and all major holidays that either parent observes.
Another consideration is who will make decisions for children under specific circumstances. Most parenting plans address general, medical, educational, and spiritual decision-making powers. Some parents will share those duties; however, it’s also possible that one parent will hold the entirety of the duties for a specific area of concern.
Rules for communication are also critical. This can include stipulations about the method of communication, which may include verbal, written or through a parenting app. It should also set the terms for how long parents have to respond and what information must be shared with the other parent.
Parents who are divorcing must craft parenting plans based on what their children need, so what works for one family won’t necessarily work for another. It may be beneficial to work with a legal professional who understands your circumstances and can assist with getting your unique plan set up as efficiently as possible accordingly.