One of the most complicated aspects of a divorce is the child custody issue. It is true that if parents can put their differences aside for the child, the process can be much easier for both parents and the child, yet that does not negate the fact that preparing for a divorce settlement can be very complicated. Many courts will require parents to submit a divorce parenting plan.
A divorce parenting plan is an agreement between the parents that will address every aspect and decision that will affect the child’s life, and as a result, a divorce parenting plan can be a lengthy agreement. It is not unusual for one or both parents to forget very important issues that will affect the child’s life when developing a divorce parenting plan. However, this is not due negligence or apathy towards the best interests of their child, but instead due the multifaceted details that are components of a successful and functional parenting plan. Every single aspect of the child’s life will go down on this divorce parenting plan and for those parents who are developing a divorce parenting plan for the first time, they may find it helpful to guide themselves with a parenting plan template.
A parenting plan template can be helpful for a number of reasons. Not only do they lay everything out in an orderly manner, they also include most issues that parents who are developing a divorce parenting plan for the first time, tend to forget. On a typical day with one’s child, one would be astounded to realize how many decisions have been made on behalf of their children, both on a conscious and subconscious level. In addition, when one falls into a pattern of family living where each parent has their own set of responsibilities, there exists a potential difficulty performing tasks with which one in unfamiliar. Therefore, it would behoove the parents to take advantage of a parenting plan template. Each parenting plan template will include issues that are usually addressed without the help of a parenting plan template, as well as some other issues that don’t come to mind as readily.
Some of the issues that come easily to mind in developing a divorce parenting plan include: how to split up the child’s vacations and holidays, what school or daycare they will attend, under what religious upbringing should the child be raised, what types of extracurricular activities the child should participate in, the health care the child should be provided with, where to keep the majority the child’s belongings, how to approach the situation in which parent begin a romantic relationship, how to handle travel and contact during that interim, how the parents will communicate, how the other parent will communicate with the child when they are not together, and finally, an appropriate method regarding problem solving.
The development of a parenting plan is a complex process, involving a range of emotions and details. The dissolution of a marriage prompts profound emotional responses on the parts of all involved. However, a parenting plan devoid of respect, compassion, and empathy will yield undesirable results for all parties connected to the initial divorce settlement. Parents in need of assistance are encouraged to seek out legal and professional advice in order to provide an optimal parenting plan for their children.
