What should I request in the parenting plan or child custody agreement?This easy-to-use book brings up many topics to consider before you meet with your attorney or mediator when you wish to create or update your custody agreement. Consider various parenting plan ideas that might be best for your child's wellbeing-and realistic for yourself and the other parent.This idea book helps you consider what's best for your childYou can pick from the various common options or come up with your own. This book helps you explain your wishes to your legal advisor, who can tailor it to the laws in your area.Who makes the decisions for the child's wellbeing?? Who makes decisions about education, daycare, medical, and therapy. ? Physical and legal custody issues.? How to deal with religious education?? At what age can children make their own decisions?Improving cooperation between parents? Where will you exchange the child(ren) and when? ? Picking up and dropping off guidelines.? Decisions about using co-parenting apps for documentation.
? Communication with children when they aren't with you.Who pays for what?? Who pays for sports, lessons, private school or homeschooling, and extra-curricular activities?? Who covers the cost of medical insurance?? Who will cover the uniforms, musical instruments, or sports equipment costs?What can each parent do (or not do)?? Dating again: when to introduce new people to the children.? First right of refusal.? Vacations, travel, and international trips.? Substance abuse, dangerous behavior, and the other parentHow much time will the children spend with each parent?? Holiday schedules. Birthdays. Winter, spring, and summer breaks.? Pre-designed parenting time calendars to give you ideas? Ready-to-use calendars? Ideas to encourage positive communication between parents and discourage parental alienation.
Authors:Lisa Wilson, CDC® Certified Divorce Coach, is experienced in high-conflict divorce. She helps parents think through ideas that prioritize the child's best interests.Gretchen Baskerville has been a divorce recovery leader for 20 years. She's the author of "The Life-Saving Divorce: Hope for People Leaving Destructive Relationships".