It’s always best when you and the other parent work together to develop a parenting time plan that meet’s your family’s needs. The court can make decisions about parenting time, but you and the other parent know more about your family’s needs than the judge. If you and the other parent are working to create a parenting time plan, what should you consider?
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
- The age and developmental stage of your child. Of course, a schedule for an infant will be very different than a schedule for a teenager.
- If your child is in school: Which parent can accommodate the needs of your child? Who can drop off and pick up from school? Who can assist the child in getting their homework completed? Who will make sure the child gets to school on time? What parent can provide a consistent weekday school schedule for the child?
- Extra-curricular activities: which parent can provide transportation to and from these activities? Which parent will ensure the child is ready and at their activity on time?
- Consider each of your work schedules. It makes no sense to agree on a parenting time plan that one or neither of you can actually do. Even though you may both want a schedule as close to 50/50 as possible, it may not be practical.
- How will transportation be handled? Where will parenting time exchanges take place? Will you meet half way at a neutral location? Or will the exchanges take place at your homes?
- How will your child get to and from school? Are there buses available from each of your homes? Will you or the other parent be available for drop off and pick up from school?
- Days off from school or daycare. What will happen if school or daycare is closed or not available?
- What happens if your child is ill and can’t attend school or daycare? Who will be responsible to stay home with your child or take off from work to provide care, especially if parenting time exchanges occur before or after the school/workday? A plan needs to be in place.
- How will you share the holidays? You need to have a specific holiday schedule in your order in the event you no longer agree on holiday parenting time. You and the other parent may divide the holidays as you please. But, if you are unable to agree as to the division of holidays, you have the fallback plan in place (the court order specifically listing the holidays and how they will be divided).
Once you and the other parent have agreed to the terms of your parenting time plan, your agreement must be reduced to an order, and signed by the judge. This order will be enforceable by the court and Friend of the Court if it is specific and includes days and times for parenting time.
If you and the other parent seek to have your parenting time schedule have a lot of flexibility, and want parenting time to be “as agreed upon by the parties” or “reasonable parenting time”, then know that these orders would not be enforceable by the court or Friend of the Court (as they are too vague). If you want to have flexibility, but have your order be enforceable, consider using language such as parents will exercise parenting time as agreed upon by the parties. In the event they do not agree, parenting time will be [insert specific parenting time schedule, including times and locations for exchange].
COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE – THE LITIGATION ALTERNATIVE
GRAND RAPIDS COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE ATTORNEY SERVING KENT, OTTAWA, AND ALLEGAN COUNTY.
Divorce is a stressful and difficult process. That’s why more couples are turning to the collaborative divorce process. A highly trained team of professionals work together with you to develop a fair, open and child centered resolution. If you want to avoid going to court, reach your own agreement, and promote positive co-parenting post-divorce, the collaborative divorce process may be an alternative for you.
Laurie K. Schmitt, founder of Schmitt Law, PLLC, is an Attorney, Mediator, and Collaborative Divorce lawyer. When possible, she guides her clients through amicable divorce settlements so they can move forward with their life. Contact Laurie online or by calling (616) 608-4634 to schedule a consultation to discuss the collaborative divorce process and how it can benefit you.
Our office is located at 401 Hall Street SW, Suite 112D, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
