Parenting Plans

Divorces can be quite stressful. This is especially true when the spouses have children. Many people have witnessed or been involved in prolonged custody battles, and the difficulties custody issues present have been dramatized on TV and in movies many times. But not all divorces involving children turn into courtroom dramas. By approaching the divorce proceedings peaceably and using techniques like parenting plans, divorces can be made much less stressful for all involved.

When two spouses with children get a divorce, they might find it beneficial to draft a parenting plan. Parenting plans can address a number of different topics, including custody, child support, vacations, access to records, medical insurance, and so forth. By communicating openly about these issues, parents can create a plan that works in the best interests of the children.

Two of the biggest concerns in parenting plans are legal and physical custody: to what extent the parents have a say on legal/school/medical issues (legal custody) and how much time the children spend with each parent (physical custody). Children usually live with either one parent (sole custody) or alternate between the two (joint custody). Most experts recommend joint custody (unless one spouse is unfit to be a parent), and a parenting plan will often spell out how much time (and when) each parent gets physical custody of the child.

In addition to custody, parents will often have to decide whose health insurance coverage the child receives, whether the parents get to travel with the children, whether they get access to medical and school records, and so forth.

Contact Us

The experienced Oceanside divorce lawyers of Fischer & Van Thiel, LLP can work with you and your spouse to develop a fair parenting plan. For more information, contact us today at 760-722-7646.