Visitation is Converted to “The Parenting Plan”
     The parenting plan -- is the new program that the Legislature  created to eliminate the guessing game that happens with the visitation (Parenting-Time) of the children.  It’s designed to ensure that divorcing parents fully understand the ramifications of a co-parenting situation.  We provide the framework necessary to create an effective parenting plan, so that the parents can implement it.  Parents who wish to share joint custody of their kids now have to define it for the Court, and each other, how exactly they intend to co-parent their children.
     The required parenting plan must provide for the child’s physical care and emotional stability, and his or her changing needs as the child grows and matures, designate the authority and responsibilities of each parent with respect to such issues as the child’s residence, education, health care and religious upbringing, minimize the child’s exposure to conflict between the parents, encourage resolution of parental conflicts outside the judicial system and protect the best interests of the child.  What’s not to like?
     With the assistance of a trained mediator, the parties can control their own destiny and act in the best interests of their children -- instead of trying to fit into the legal paradigm imposed by the court. Divorcing parents must develop a plan that addresses the following issues:
1.         Child’s residence,
2.         Parenting time,
3.         Transporting the children between homes,
4.         Decision making process,
5.         Exchange of information between parents,
6.         Financial obligations,
7.         Medical insurance and expenses,
8.         Child care,
9.         Changing needs of the children,
10.       Differences in parenting styles,
11.       Consistency in raising children,
12.       Disparaging remarks,
13.       Extended family relation ships,
14.       New partners,
15.       Maintaining/encouraging contact between parents, and
16.       Relocating.
Chances are, if the parties can adequately address these issues in a cooperative environment, they will achieve a parenting plan that eases the pain that inevitably occurs with children of divorces, while at the same time fulfilling the law requirements.