In California, divorcing parents must create a written parenting plan for their minor children. This legal document outlines the parents’ time-sharing arrangements and decision-making authority, with a shared goal of providing a stable environment for their children after the divorce.
What is a parenting plan?
When parents are awarded joint physical custody, they can continue to raise their children on a co-parenting set-up, where they follow a visitation schedule that highlights their shared parenting responsibilities and individual time with the children.
The parenting plan should include:
- Communication plans
- Drop-off and pickup schedule
- School and sports events
- Religious and community events
- Health check-ups
- Childcare assistance
- Summer breaks and holidays
- Each child and each parent’s birthdays
- Other special occasions
By creating a detailed structure of the children’s daily routines, the parents can help them adjust and slowly adapt to the recent changes in their lives.
What happens when there is a change of schedule?
Although you and your ex-spouse have a parenting plan in place, there will still be unknown factors that may lead to a sudden change of schedule. For example, you were on school pickup duty, but an urgent meeting was scheduled during your shift. The best thing you can do is to communicate with your ex-spouse and figure out who can pick your children up on your behalf.
A good rule of thumb is to also include a dispute resolution on your parenting plan. By having this in place, you and your ex-spouse can work through your disagreements without the assistance of the court.
Your children are your number one priority
By having an amicable agreement that balances each of your parental duties, you can collaborate with your ex-spouse with a positive attitude while helping your children thrive in their new environments filled with your love, guidance and support.