If you and your spouse are divorcing and you have kids, the
most important task ahead of you is to make a parenting plan that covers issues
such as custody and visitation. No matter how angry and hurt you are, or how
difficult it is to communicate with your spouse, do the right thing and put
your children first. No one knows your children better than you and your
spouse, so do everything you can now to make custody and visitation decisions
together. If you and your spouse are unable to come up with and amicable
agreement, then a judge or custody evaluator will make the decision for you. If
you situation is particularly difficult, you may enlist the help of
professionals for help - a therapist, a custody evaluator, or a family
mediator.
What Is a Parenting Agreement?
A written parenting plan or parenting agreement will help
set the state later for a workable post-divorce relationship with your ex. The
parenting agreement allows you and your spouse to discuss any concern that will
come up during your children's lives. Additionally, the parenting agreement is
an excellent tool to use if your ex-spouse repeatedly breaks the agreement. In
this case, you will have proof that he or she originally agreed to the custody
arrangement that he or she signed.
In your parenting agreement, it is suggested that you have
these child custody issues covered: living and visitation arrangements,
financial issues, education, medical care, religious training, birthdays,
holidays, and summers.
Gather Documents
As you go through your divorce and custody proceedings, it
is extremely important to remember to collect all relevant information. Before
you sit down and start negotiating your parenting plan, it makes sense to
gather and review all applicable documents. Some of these documents might
include:
any and all court documents you have filed or received
(summons, petition, complaint, response, answer, declaration, affidavit, etc.),
correspondence from any professional (attorney, counselor,
mediator, etc) regarding your divorce, separation, paternity, child support,
custody, or visitation,
court orders regarding your legal separation or divorce, and
any previously mediated, arbitrated or negotiated agreements
between you and the other parent.
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