In a divorce or any action regarding custody, the Court will require the parents to file a parenting plan that will be reviewed and approved by the Judge.  Every parent wants as much time as he or she can get with their children, but the reality is that in a divorce, legitimation, or custody modification, neither parent is going to get as much time with their child or children as they want.

A parenting time schedule is not about what is convenient for the Parent, it is about what is best for the children – what is best for them when it comes to their well-being, their education, and their activities.  As a parent, it is difficult to separate what you want from what is really, truly in your child’s best interest.  Just because you want to see your child all the time, doesn’t mean that a 50/50 schedule works or is best for your child.

A parenting plan is going to detail where your child or children will spend their time.  It will detail the weekly schedule, the holiday schedule, and the summer time schedule.

Many parents come to use wanting an equal or 50/50 parenting time schedule.  Many judges are reluctant to order a 50/50 parenting time schedule because it typically only works in scenarios where the parents list in close proximity and the parents do a good job in communicating and coparenting.  But, most parents who are going through a divorce or a break up are not good at either one of those things!

Holidays can be challenging to navigate for divorcing parents and their children.  Christmas is a holiday that brings much consternation.  We often have parents come to us and insist that both parents must have time with the children every year.  While this may be good for you as the parent, it may not be what is best for your child.  In most cases, children are more than happy to have Christmas twice, just as they are happy to celebrate their birthday twice!

Divorce brings change.  It is acceptable and appropriate to treat this time as a time to create new traditions that fit the new family circumstances.

Allow us to help you through these transitions.