Blog Layout

What Is A Parenting Plan?

Apr 30, 2018

Under the laws of the State of Georgia, parents who are going through a divorce must draft and enact a comprehensive parenting plan. This is true if one parent has sole custody, or if parents are sharing joint custody.

But what exactly is a parenting plan? In this blog, the family law experts at The Fairell Firm will help you better understand the aspects of a parenting plan so that you and your ex-spouse can work together to find what’s best for your child (or children).

When it comes to divorce help in Atlanta , The Fairell Firm is the partner you deserve. Contact our experts in divorce, child custody, and child support today.

Why Parenting Plans Are Required

Parenting plans are a necessary aspect of any case regarding child custody. Whether the parents are working together to create a parenting plan, or each parent is submitting their own, the plan is what signifies that there are steps in place to ensure that the child (or children) is cared for properly.

After a parenting plan is submitted to the court, the judge will either approve or disapprove. If approved, the judge will make it a court order and those will be the guidelines by which each parent will operate with regards to custody.

What To Include In A Parenting Plan

There are many factors and decisions which should be carefully considered when drafting a parenting plan. After all, this will be one of the biggest determining factors in how your child is raised and cared for. And, the court will always make sure that the child’s best interests are always at the forefront of any divorce or custody case.

A few things that should be included in every parenting plan include:

  • Parenting Schedule: This time schedule should show essentially where and with whom the child will spend for every day of the year. This includes things like weekends, holidays, school days, and everything in between.
  • Exchanges: How will transportation be handled when the child is moving from the care of one parent to the other? How frequently will these exchanges be? It’s important to have a plan in place to cover all of these things.
  • Limitations: If there are any forces or issues which should require limitations to when a parent can contact the child while in custody of the other parent, or if any parent should not have access to decision-making abilities (legal custody), then the parenting plan is the place to address and sort those issues.
  • Recognizations: In addition, your parenting plan should fully recognize that the child’s needs will change and grow along with the child. Additionally, the parent with physical custody (if not joint) is the decision maker, and a close relationship with both parents should be sought when possible.

Determining Best Interest

Again, the court will want to see that your parenting plan has the best interest of your child in mind at all times.

A few factors which could determine, in the judge’s mind, what’s best for the child include:

  • Emotional ties between the parent and child
  • Parents’ capacity to provide and raise the child
  • Parents’ ability to meet the basic needs
  • Home environment
  • Parents’ employment schedule
  • Mental and physical health
  • Special needs
  • Willingness to cooperate

If are in the Atlanta area and are in need divorce help or assistance with a parenting plan, contact The Fairell Firm today.

Share by: