A Good Parenting Plan Goes a Long Way

Child custody agreements begin with assigning custody, or conservatorship, and determining the financial responsibilities of each parent. Whether you have shared custody or one parent is the sole conservator, you must present a parenting plan for court approval that details the rights and duties of each parent. Once the court signs off on the plan, each parent must follow through to the best of his or her ability. Having an effective parenting plan in place from the beginning can make the post-divorce transition easier for you and your children. And while co-parenting with a former spouse may never be stress-free, a smart parenting plan can make it less stressful.

There are many worksheets and templates available to help you draft a parenting plan. Make sure you have covered the following:

• Decision-making roles, including education, religious instruction and health care
• Sharing schedules for day-to-day activities as well as birthdays, vacations and holidays
• Designating responsibilities such as shopping for clothes and school supplies, visits to the doctor and driving lessons
• Paying for extracurricular activities
• Maintaining communication through phone calls, email and social media
• Methods for resolving disputes and disagreements

Expect glitches. A phone call is not made because the battery is dead. A car accident ties up traffic for an hour. A child wakes up with a fever and has to stay in bed all day. Remember that the central goal of the plan is to protect the health and security of your child. If you have serious concerns about that, or if there seems to be a clear pattern of interference with your parental rights, speak with a family law attorney.