Divorce in Pennsylvania or just about anywhere is a tough thing to go through, both emotionally and physically. However, all that increases tenfold when there is a child involved. This is because parents will need to craft out a parenting plan that is in the best interest of not only themselves but their child as well. In fact, many judges will deny a parenting plan that is not in the child’s best interest. But what is the best plan to put forward? Read on to learn a few things that you should keep in mind when creating your plan.
Communication
The only way that a judge will accept the custody and parenting time plan you’ve put forward is if he/she sees that there is good communication. Thus, it is important to add to your plan how you both are going to communicate after the divorce. Things such as home phone numbers, work phone numbers and meet-up areas should be part of the plan.
Proper scheduling
One of the most important items within an effective parenting plan is both parents’ schedules. Each parent must be able to move around their schedules so that it does not disrupt the child’s own schedule. This means that the child is going to and leaving school at appropriate times and spending a reasonable amount of time at each parent’s home. Other scheduling items to keep in mind include:
- Birthdays
- Holidays
- Parent vacation times
Financial responsibilities
Issues tend to quickly arise when both parents don’t know what they need to pay. Questions such as who is going to pay for medicine, school supplies and food are just some of the things that create conflict. Thus, it is important to establish an agreement when it comes to finances.
Although effective planning is key, it doesn’t come without its challenges. It is important to ensure that you plan a schedule with an attorney at your side. This may provide you with a better outcome.