How to make Co-Parenting Plans Effective
Breakups and divorce are very difficult. Things become even more complicated when there are children involved. You need to decide who will get custody of the children and figure out visitation, child support, and you will need to learn how to raise the children together, even though you and your ex are no longer together. Fortunately, this can be easily done when you hire a Dallas GA divorce attorney.
What Is a Co-Parenting Plan?
A co-parenting plan is a written document that both parents need to agree upon to and sign. The document outlines how you will work with your ex to raise your children when you are no longer together. Some parents go on a verbal agreement regarding how things will be done; however, this isn’t the best option. When you have a divorce attorney Dallas GA help with a legal co-parenting plan, you and your ex will be legally required to follow the stipulations in the document.
What Do You Need To Take Into Consideration?
When coming up with a co-parenting plan that everyone can agree upon, there are several things that need to be taken into consideration and included in the co-parenting plan. These include;
- The children’s school schedule: Who will drop off the children and pick them up and the time these things need to be done.
- Extracurricular activities: Will the cost associated with the activities be split between both parents, and who is responsible for drop off and pickup and the time these things should be done.
- The parent’s work schedule: This will determine who is available to handle pick up and drop off for school and extracurricular activities. Stipulations can also be included if a parent’s work schedule on a particular day makes it impossible for them to uphold their obligation for pickup or drop off.
- Holidays and vacations: Who will have the children during each major holiday, school vacations and summer vacation.
What If Changes Need To Be Made?
There are a few situations that would require a change in the co-parenting plan. These include:
- A permanent change in work schedules
- A long-distance move
- A change in either parents ability to care for the children
- A change in the children’s needs due to their age, health, etc.
If changes need to be made, Dallas GA divorce attorneys can file a motion with the court to modify the co-parenting plan accordingly.
What Is Your Attorney’s Role In the Co-parenting Plan?
Your attorney will help you create a co-parenting plan based on your schedule, your needs and the needs of your children. They will also work with your ex’s attorney to negotiate the stipulations in the agreement to ensure both parents are happy with the outcome. The attorney will be there with you in court for a judge to sign-off on the agreement, making it legally binding.
If you need to create a co-parenting plan, the professionals at the Law Offices of William R. Pike Law LLC can help. We can help create a co-parenting plan that with make both parties happy.
