What Should Be Considered When Putting Together a Parenting Plan?

A Parenting Plan Always Prioritizes the Needs of the Child. To Help Ensure That the Plan Meets This Goal, Parents Should Take Great Care to Identify Issues of Concern and Address Potential Challenges In Advance.


Understanding the Considerations When Putting Together a Parenting Plan Involving the Best Interests of the Child

Parenting Plan Strategies Require Consideration For the Best Interests of the Child When a couple with children separates or divorces, one priority is the creation of a parenting plan.  Parenting plans set out rights and obligations regarding the day-to-day care of the children and can also establish rules for communication between the parents.  As family law matters can involve high-conflict circumstances, these plans aim to be as comprehensive and detailed as possible to avoid disagreements.  Some considerations for the creation of a parenting plan are set out below.

1 - The Best Interest of the Child Always Comes First

When making decisions concerning children in family matters, the best interest of the child must always be taken into account.  Parenting plans that fail to prioritize the wellbeing of the child may be deemed invalid by the courts.  The parenting plan must show that the basic needs of the child are provided for, including the physical and emotional wellbeing of the child as well as the education of the child.

Avoiding conflict as much as possible is also in the best interest of the child.  Parenting plans take into account the capacity of the parents to communicate and make important decisions regarding children.  If parents are unable to resolve matters, the parenting plan should address the provision of a decision-making power in order to avoid further disagreement.

Parenting plans can also set out arrangements for the child to spend time with extended family members.  Parents are also wise to establish terms for when a child can be introduced to any new partner of the parents.

2 - Identify the Important Issues

Two of the most substantial topics in a parenting plan are parenting time and decision-making abilities.  Parenting time outlines the amount of time the child spends with each parent, including when drop-off and pick-up should occur.  Decision-making ability is the authority given to which parent over the making of important issues involving the child, including education, religion, discipline, extracurricular activities, travel, and medical, decisions.

3 - Put Your Parenting Plan Into Writing

A written parenting plan acts as an ongoing reference document and clearly sets out the rights and responsibilities of each parent.  Having the plan in writing helps to avoid misunderstandings and disputes about the terms agreed to between the parties.  The parenting plan can help resolve disagreements without the cost and time involved in a court litigation process.  If issues do proceed to court, the parenting plan can also be essential as evidence of the original intentions of, and agreements between, the parents.

4 - Decide How to Address Disagreements

When developing a parenting plan, parents should consider how to resolve conflicts that may arise.  Parenting plans aim to resolve disputes that can arise from the sharing of the responsibility of parenting children separately.  If the parents are unable to reach an agreement, the plan can require them to participate in a conflict resolution process with a neutral third party who renders a final decision.

An alternative dispute resolution process can also assist in the creation of the parenting plan where a conflict arises between the parents.  The use of a third party, such as a mediator, can help provide focus and assist in the maintenance of respectful communication between the parties.  The best process for a family depends on the unique circumstances of the family and may involve mediation, arbitration, or collaborative family law practices, among other solutions.

5 - Establish Rules for Communication

Parties who share the responsibility for parenting a child must be able to communicate construtively with one another.  When creating a parenting plan, parents should set guidelines for what information needs sharing and the method of communication.  In some situations, communicating in writing, such as through text or email, is prudent as the resulting record can clarify issues if confusion arises.  Parents can also agree that to refrain from communicating with each other through the child.

6 - Determine How to Modify the Parenting Plan

As children grow and the work situation or family circumstances of the parents change, needs of all involved will also change.  As a result, parenting plans will sometimes need adaptation to reflect changes in the needs of the child or within the overall family dynamic.  Parents should consider establishing terms for when and how the parenting plan should be modified.  Additionally, the parenting plan can include a requirement for regular review by the parties to ensure that the parenting plan remains current and continues to consider the overall best interests of the child.

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