A Workable Parenting Plan is Possible with Facts

When parents decide to divorce, they will often work together to decide what is fair for the children. Many Tennessee families wonder if the process of drafting a parenting plan can be accomplished so that the best interests of the child are kept at the center. It is possible when facts are valued over emotions and individuals keep their goals and expectations realistic.

For determining the facts of the child custody case, good record keeping is key. An individual may wish to take notes and record important details with a cellphone or in a journal. Since the relationship with the children will be lifelong, parents may want to consider that there will be times such as graduations, ceremonies and weddings during which they will need to interact with the other parent, and that they likely do not want to force the children to have to choose between themselves and the other parent.

Barring any record of abuse or other mitigating circumstances, it is likely that the parents will share time with the children. An individual will want to bring the facts surrounding the child’s schedule, the child’s needs, parent work schedules and ability to provide to discussions about sharing the parenting task. The parents typically have the required information to draft a working agreement, but if they cannot come to an agreement a judge will help them by issuing an order based on the evidence presented by the parties.

Tennessee parents working on a parenting plan may initially find some struggles. By overcoming the struggles with facts and good records, parents may be able to more quickly reach an agreement. A parent looking for additional help during the trying time of separation and divorce may wish to reach out to an experienced family law attorney for more advice.

Source: westchestermagazine.com, “Q&A Topic: Divorce and Child Custody, Prenuptial Agreements & Assisted Reproduction”, Elizabeth A. Douglas, Esq., April 24, 2018.