Benefits of a Parenting Plan
Some states require divorcing parents to file a formal parenting plan. Even
if your state does not require you to create a parenting plan, it's a good
idea to work with your ex to develop a plan for their children's future.
When parents can agree on a detailed parenting plan taking care to put the
best interest of their child first, they find that misunderstandings and
conflicts are kept to a minimum. They do not fight like divorcing parents who
have not worked together to create a plan for the children's future. By
finding middle ground, they discover they have saved money that they might
have spent on attorneys. Taking a few hours to create a parenting plan helps
the divorcing parents as well as the children.
How a parenting plan will help parents:
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Provides predictability for both parents. Parents are able to make
arrangements in advance knowing what the schedule is.
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Can reduce legal costs. A detailed parenting plan reduces misunderstandings
and disagreements between parents.
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A parenting plan will help ensure parent-child relationships. When parents
cooperate with the only goal of making life better for the children, they
learn be supportive of each other and share responsibilities for the child's
care and well being.
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Decision making can be shared fairly. In joint legal custody situations, both
parents share the responsibility of making decisions. If parents have trouble
cooperating, this can cause many problems. Therefore many parents feel more
secure requesting sole legal custody. Sole legal custody gives one parent the
responsibility for making legal decisions. With a parenting plan, the other
parent may be permitted to make certain legal decisions.
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A parenting plan allows parents to work together even if they can't stand
each other. A parenting plan helps create a "business-like" relationship.
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Once a parenting plan is approved by the court, it is hard for either parent
to fight about the provisions. If a non-custodial parent has agreed to pick
the kids up every other Friday at 6pm, and is consistently late or misses
weekends - or if the custodial parent has agreed to allow the non-custodial
parent holiday visits and then makes other arrangements, having a parenting
plan will go a long way if mediation or litigation are required.
How a parenting plan will help children:
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A parenting plans helps make the divorce easier on the children.
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A parenting plan provides predictability. Children know when they will be
with each parent. Knowing what to expect creates a feeling of security.
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A parenting plan will help ensure parent-child relationships.
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A parenting plan will focus on the children's needs - not the parent’s
issues.
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A parenting plan keeps the important aspects of a child's life in the
parent's hands - not the courts hands.
Any parenting plan, whether ordered by the court or entered into by mutual
agreement, should be reviewed by your attorney before presenting to the
court.
Court Approval is Guaranteed For Our Parenting Classes
When you complete one of our parenting classes, we will send
you a valid, signed certificate of completion. Divorce courts across the
nation trust our parenting class certificates. We offer this simple guarantee
for all our parenting classes:
If our
parenting classes
are not accepted for a divorce court or legal requirement, we will refund your money in full
with written proof of decline.
Additional Resources
