A parenting plan is a vital document for co-parents. It outlines how parents will share responsibilities and helps ensure the best interests of the child are being met. However, since it’s often difficult to streamline the schedules of two households, a parenting plan can easily go off track. A court may step in if necessary to resolve any conflicts, but it’s best for the parties to negotiate these matters between themselves. Importantly, by negotiating a parenting plan out of court, you can take many things into consideration that a judge would not be able to — and create a tailored parenting plan that meets the needs of your family.

The following are three practical strategies that can make the process of creating a parenting plan easier for you and your co-parent — and help prevent any parenting plan problems that could arise:

1. Make Plans for Communication

One of the first things you will need to agree on with your co-parent to avoid parenting plan problems is how you will communicate. The parenting plan should specify the forms of communication you will use to discuss matters related to the children and set ground rules for interaction. While sharing information is often a significant issue when it comes to shared custody, it’s important to agree on how this will be done in advance to avoid disputes.

In the event you and your co-parent have difficulty communicating with each other without tension, you might consider using a co-parenting app. These platforms can allow you to send secure messages to each other, coordinate activities and appointments through a shared calendar, and centralize all school documents, medical records, and other child-related information.

2. Customize the Parenting Plan to Your Family’s Needs

Among the most common parenting plan problems is failing to tailor the document to meet your family’s needs. Every family is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all plan that will work for every situation. Although courts have general arrangements that they usually put into place, these may not work for you.

Key areas to address to prevent parenting plan problems can include the following:

• The custody schedule — It’s essential to factor in everyone’s schedule when creating your parenting plan. After-school activities, work hours, and travel times should all be taken into consideration.
• Holiday schedule — Not only should the parenting plan include the day-to-day custody schedule, but it should also outline where the children will spend holidays, birthdays, and other special days during the year.
• Conflict resolution procedures — Outline the procedures for resolving any disputes that could arise regarding custody matters. For example, you might specify that mediation should be attempted before your case is brought into court.
• Financial matters — Determine how you will handle expenses related to raising the child, and who will be paying for what.
• Education arrangements — The parenting plan should state all details concerning the child’s education arrangements, including where they will attend school, whether they require tutoring, who will drop the child off and pick them up, and who will attend parent-teacher conferences.
• Introducing new partners — The parenting plan may address how children should be introduced to a parent’s new romantic partner. For instance, it may specify a certain period of time before the child can be introduced or require permission from the other parent.
• Screen time — While electronic devices are part of everyday life, they can be detrimental to children when used excessively. Clearly define rules for screen time in the parenting plan and ensure consistency in both households.

The above areas are just a few provisions that are often overlooked when creating a parenting plan. However, they aren’t the only items that should be addressed. It’s crucial to work with an experienced family law attorney who can work with you to identify your needs, and the needs of your family, in order to create a document that is customized to your situation.

3. Be Realistic About Schedules

One of the ways to prevent parenting plan problems is to be realistic about schedules. While the parenting plan should establish a clear and consistent schedule that is in the best interests of the child, parents should also be flexible when necessary. Be prepared to make adjustments if they are needed from time to time to accommodate unexpected situations. Remember, you would want the same courtesy extended to you by your co-parent if circumstances arise that necessitate a change.

But while both parents should be adaptable, neither should be consistently asking for frequent changes for minor reasons. Too many changes to the parenting time schedule can be detrimental to a child’s sense of stability and well-being. Not only can it cause a child stress, anxiety, and disappointment, but they may have difficulty adapting to constant interruptions to their routine.

Contact an Experienced New York Divorce Attorney

If you are divorced or separated from your partner, it’s important to find a way to come up with a parenting plan that works for everyone. A compassionate and experienced divorce attorney can assist you with creating a tailored agreement that will meet the best interests of your child — and avoid parenting plan problems. Handling every case with the time and attention it deserves, Duke Law Firm, P.C. works closely with clients for a wide range of divorce and family law matters, including those involving parenting time and child custody.

Offering trusted legal services and reliable counsel, we welcome you to contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn how we can help.