If you have ever been part of a custody and visitation matter, you know that there is often confusion.
“Who gets Halloween this year?”
“What time does the Labor Day vacation begin and end?”
“If I am off for a Federal holiday and school is closed but the other parent is working, can I see my child(ren)?”
To many people, these might seem like small or trivial issues. But, if you are a parent, you know that is not the case.
The best way to handle smaller – yet important – details is with a written agreement called a parenting plan.
Parenting plans will likely become the law in Maryland soon, but why wait? Get a jump on them now.
What does a parenting plan do?
- Decreases stress, anxiety and arguments
- Specifies precisely who has the children – and when
- Specifies who handles transportation
- Outlines the exceptions to the rules of visitation
Still not sold? Look at it this way. A parenting plan can save each parent thousands of dollars in attorneys’ fees, sometimes more. The parenting plan can also reduce your time in Court, eliminate vicious emails, and lessen the stress and anxiety felt by your children.
As children get older, they need the rhythm of a schedule. They want to know where they will be and when, as well as for how long. They don’t need a copy of the plan. They just need to know that their parents have one.
Occasionally, one parent will not agree to a parenting plan. That’s another blog for another day. However, where there is a will, there is typically a way.
Attorneys and family law mediators are the most reliable sources for creating parenting plans. Yes, you can find them on the Internet, but do yourself a favor: don’t be tempted. Seek the help of a professional.
Interested? Call (410) 792-2300 or fill out the contact form to find out how to get started!