Parents going through a divorce in New York are required to agree to a court-approved plan that controls their basic child custody and visitation arrangement. Either the parents must devise the plan themselves or the court will impose one on them. Creating an effective parenting plan involves thoughtful consideration of the children’s well-being and of the practical implications.
An effective parenting plan prioritizes the best interests of the children and fosters a cooperative co-parenting relationship. The following are the key components of a plan:
Custody — Some form of joint (shared) physical custody is the norm, typically with one parent having primary parenting time. The plan should clearly outline where and with whom the children will live most of the time, which usually determines where the child will attend school.
Decision-making authority — The plan should specify whether one parent or both parents will have legal decision-making authority concerning the child in such matters as education, healthcare, religion and extracurricular activities. Clarify which decisions require joint agreement and which can be made by one parent independently.
Visitation — The plan should detail the visitation schedule for the non-custodial parent. Specify regular visitation days and any special occasions. Consider the child’s school schedule and extracurricular activities when setting these dates.
Holiday and vacation planning — The plan should allocate holiday and vacation time between parents and address how major holidays (e.g., Thanksgiving and Christmas) will be shared.
Co-parenting communication — The plan should establish guidelines for communication between parents, such as how they will share information about the child’s well-being, school progress and health and how they will notify each other if there is a need for a schedule change and/or for making alternative arrangements.
Child support and financial obligations — The plan should define child support arrangements, specifying the amount, payment frequency and any additional financial responsibilities (e.g., medical expenses, education costs).
Dispute Resolution Mechanisms — The plan should include a process for resolving disagreements or modifications to the plan. Mediation, counseling or court intervention can be options.
Flexibility and adaptability — Family dynamics change over time. The plan should allow for adjustments to be made as needed. It can provide that custody and visitation schedules be revisited on a set schedule, such as once every year or two.
Every family is unique and there is no one-size-fits-all plan. An experienced New York family law attorney can customize a parenting plan to best serve your family circumstances.
Bombardo Law Office, P.C. in Syracuse represents New York residents in all aspects of family law, including drafting and negotiating parenting plans. Feel free to call 1-315-488-5544 or contact me online for a free initial consultation.
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