Once you realize that divorce is on the horizon, it’s time to turn your attention to the future. For some, this means focusing on the well-being of their children.
Do you have at least one child with the person you are divorcing? If the answer is yes, it’s imperative to learn more about what the future will bring. Like most, you will have questions regarding child custody, child support and visitation.
Fortunately, most child custody cases don’t end up in court. Instead, both parents are typically able to work out the finer details through informal negotiations, such as mediation.
Although a child custody dispute can be frustrating, there is hope. By working together, you and your ex-spouse can implement a parenting agreement that is mutually beneficial.
One parenting agreement is not the same as the next. Even so, this typically covers the following areas:
— Who has physical custody (this is the person with whom the child lives).
— Visitation schedule, with language regarding weekends, holidays, and vacations.
— Who is in charge of making major life decisions, such as those associated with education and health care. This is known as legal custody.
— Contact with other family members, such as grandparents, as well as family friends.
Along with the above, a parenting agreement should also contain language on how to:
— Alter the agreement in the future (should this be necessary).
— Resolve disputes (you should assume that you will have at least one disagreement in the future).
While these are the most common details included in a parenting agreement, there are others that you may need to consider as you work through negotiations with the other parent. It’s important to address every detail and concern, as you don’t want to find yourself in a bad spot in the future.
There is a lot that goes into creating a parenting agreement that you are comfortable with. For this reason, you should not hesitate to consult with an attorney when the time comes to move through the process.
With an experienced legal team providing guidance, you can be confident in every decision you make. As a result, you can move forward with your life knowing that you and your child (or children) are in the best position to succeed.
Source: Nov. 30, -0001