Did you know that many child custody cases can be worked out before it goes to court? This is something you should strive for as you move through the divorce process.
Although it can be a challenge to negotiate with the other parent, especially if you are not getting along, remember this: You need to do whatever is in the best interest of your child.
If you are able to work out all the details of child custody with the other parent, you can finalize the terms and conditions in a parenting agreement.
While the steps you take will never be exactly the same as the next person, here’s something to remember: Your parenting agreement should touch on all the most important details.
Here are some of the many things to include in a parenting agreement:
— Who will have physical custody of the child (this is where the child will live)
— A visitation schedule for the non-custodial parent
— Who will have legal custody (the person involved in making major decisions, such as those related to education and health care)
— Where the child will spend vacations, holidays and other important events
— Contact with other family members, such as grandparents
— The process you will follow in the event of a dispute
These are among the most important details to include in a parenting agreement, but there are others that you may need to add. The good thing about a parenting agreement is that it can be customized to meet the wants and needs of both individuals.
Once a parenting agreement is in place, it is then submitted to a family law court for final approval by a judge. As long as everything checks out, you are not required to go to court.
If you are going through a difficult divorce, creating a parenting agreement may sound like an impossible task. Even so, you should give it a try to see if you can work things out with the other parent. Most people find that this is better than fighting in court, as it’s more time efficient and less costly.