When Washington parents divorce, children face the possibility of suffering emotional stress and experiencing difficulties as they try to navigate this time of transition. As a parent, you understand the importance of helping your kids during this time and making decisions that will spare them as much trauma and difficulty as possible. One way you can do this is with a strong and thoughtful parenting plan.
A parenting plan is something that two parents will work on together. If you opt to craft a parenting plan out of court, you will be able to make plans that suit the unique needs of your children. If you think it may be possible to work with your spouse to reach an out-of-court solution regarding parenting time schedules and other custody-related issues, you may want to learn more about what makes a strong parenting plan.
The best plan for your family
It’s not always easy to know exactly what will work for your family. It helps to start by looking at your kids, your work schedule and other factors to decide what will be in the interests of each member of the family. The ultimate goal will be to provide stability and security for the kids for years to come. Some of the things you may want to consider for your parenting plan include:
- How the child will split time between the parents’ homes
- How parents will share the responsibility and authority to make important decisions for the children
- Visitation with extended family members, such as grandparents, cousins and others
- Vacation schedules and how holiday visitation will work
- What parents will do in the event of a dispute regarding visitation or other custody-related issues
During your divorce, you will be making decisions that will impact your family for years to come. It will help to look at what will work long-term, not just according to how you feel in the moment.
A strong future for your family
The post-divorce future will be brighter for every member of your family when you have a strong, sustainable parenting plan in place. A complete assessment of your case and family situation with an experienced family law attorney will help you understand your legal options. Working with a legal advocate will help you pursue parenting plan terms that protect your parental rights and provide your kids with a sense of security that will last for years to come.
