Pennsylvania parents who are ending their marriages might encounter situations that, if not handled appropriately, might result emotionally harmful to their children. While most will say that everything they plan to do after a divorce will be in the best interest of the child, often, emotions and life situations might lead to different results.
A custody plan is one tool that divorced couples can use to provide stability and continuity for the children after a divorce. While a plan that is too full of details might make it easier for one of the parents to violate the agreement, a custody plan needs to be detailed in order to anticipate conflicts and prevent situations from escalating. A strong plan includes the visitation schedule for the parents, and it can include visitations by extended family such as grandparents and aunts and uncles. It should also include information about child support, the children’s schooling, health concerns and even what rules will be followed at both homes. A solid plan also includes set times for the parents to meet to discuss and resolve any issues that do come up.
With a strong custody plan, parents can have a better chance at successful co-parenting. However, for this to happen, they do need to follow a few rules. One is to avoid every bad-mouthing their ex-spouse. Another is to never use the children to carry messages between the parents or to complain to the children about the situation.
In order to create a strong child custody plans, a divorcing parent might seek the advice and guidance of a family law attorney who might better explain the applicable law. Having the support of a lawyer might also help to keep the negotiations civil between the ex-spouses.
