Child custody is often one of the most contentious and difficult issues for Texas parents to work through in a divorce. It is not easy to decide what will happen to your children and make decisions that will affect the future of your relationship with them for years to come. You know your kids deserve to be happy and have stability, and for many Texas parents, this is why they choose to resolve custody issues out of court.
There are many benefits to creating a parenting plan out of court. One of the main reasons is that it allows you more control over the final terms of the order. It can also reduce stress and allow you to account for things that may be unique to your family. When working on your custody order, it is beneficial to keep your focus on what is truly important, which is the best interests of the children, and not temporary emotions.
What goes into a parenting plan?
A parenting plan can involve much more than just deciding where the child will stay what nights of the week. These are detailed, thorough arrangements that account for everything from holiday weekend visitation to making medical decisions for the child. Some of the things you will need to consider for your plan include the following:
- Which parent will have primary custody or if parents will share joint custody
- How the child will go back and forth between houses
- How parents will deal with legal custody, which is the right to make important decisions for the child
- Whether the child will have access to extended family members on either side of the family
- How parents will resolve any future disputes that arise
By working on your parenting plan out of court, you will have the ability to custom-tailor the plan to suit the unique needs of your children and provide your family with stability for the future.
The importance of being thorough
The parenting plan will have a significant impact on your family. It is beneficial to be as thorough as possible, as this will greatly reduce your chance of experiencing complications in the future. Before you agree to any terms, it is prudent to seek the guidance and counsel of a family law attorney who can help you protect your parental rights and the interests of your children.