If you’re recently divorced with children, you likely want a plan going forward. You don’t want disagreements to cause more conflict and drama for your children. Establishing typical custody arrangements can minimize the upheaval your children may feel during the divorce.
Children easily get caught up in the emotion of the divorce and often suffer. Instead of adding to their problems by having conflicting custody, you can alleviate your children’s stress by working together on an arrangement that works for both parents and the children.
Here are some factors to consider when developing your child custody arrangement.
Table of Contents
1. The Children’s Current Home Environment
The home should be clean, safe and provide a comfortable atmosphere to foster learning and personal growth. The parents should work together to provide a:
- balanced schedule of activities
- family meals
- proper health and well-being
If parents do not live together, there should still preferably be consistency between both households.
2. The Children’s Education
The educational needs of the children can provide a crucial factor in determining which parent will get primary custody. Parents may want to consider like:
- schools that are available to their children
- the proximity of their home to the school
- their capability to make transportation arrangements
- the parents to support their educational advancement
3. The Child’s Age and Maturity Level
The younger they are, the more likely they are to need both parents close by. Teenagers, on the other hand, may require more flexibility, depending on their extracurricular activities and need for independence.
Depending on their age, they may benefit from parenting classes and counseling. To help them understand their changing life and their parents’ roles. Additionally, it is recommended to consider a child custody attorney to ensure that your rights are protected and all the relevant legal requirements are met.
4. Taking Into Account Any Special Needs
If a child has an emotional or mental condition, both parents need to be able to provide an appropriate atmosphere for them to express their emotions. It is also important to ensure that both parents can meet the needs of any therapies or counseling that a child may need to help them cope. Finally, if there are any special medical needs, parents should consider how they would share medical responsibilities and ensure their child’s well-being.
5. The Parent’s Ability to Co-Parent
This factor mainly looks at how open and willing their respective parenting styles are to work together. This could include areas such as communication, negotiation, settling disputes, acceptance of each parent’s rights and privileges, and the ability to listen to the child’s needs. This can often be determined by observing their respective track records, such as their former or current relationships with their ex-spouses and even their parents.
Key Objectives When Negotiating Child Custody Plans
Now that you have a better understanding of the five factors to consider when creating a child custody arrangement, you can use this knowledge to make the best decisions for your child and family. Make sure to get professional advice and do your research thoroughly to ensure everyone is looked after.
From negotiating child support and outlining different custody arrangements to deciding on schooling.
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