Going through a divorce as a parent brings in essential questions about your children: Will you share custody with the other parent? How will you approach child custody? What is in my parenting plan?
If you share custody with your spouse, you establish a co-parenting relationship. No matter why your marriage ended, it’s your duty following your divorce to co-parent if you share custody of your child. Co-parenting can be tough: often, parents do not agree on certain things in raising their child, or parents may have different rules for their child. If you follow your parenting plan, many issues from co-parenting may be resolved.
Co-Parenting with a Parenting Plan
The State of Florida requires a parenting plan when custody of a minor child is shared between parents. Your parenting plan is a court-approved document that you create with your spouse on how you will share responsibilities and time. Since parenting plans must be detailed, most issues that arise due to co-parenting or differences in parenting may be already listed in this plan with a solution. If there is not a pre-determined solution, mediation may be an option. We are available for all of your mediation needs.
Your parenting plan should be “future-proof” and outline future physical, mental, educational, or environmental needs your child may have. It is helpful to have a copy of this document at home so you can reference it in the future.
Communication and Co-Parenting
One of the biggest keys to co-parenting is open communication. Open communication ensures that the other parent has all of the relevant information on their child, including dates such as school breaks, sports practices, field trips, and health information like minor illnesses or upcoming doctors’ appointments. Without clear communication, misunderstandings and conflict may arise, which can then negatively impact your child. If needed, it can be best to communicate digitally, especially to create a paper trail and record important information about your child.
Advice on Co-Parenting
We’re here to help you navigate your new co-parenting situation. If you would like to meet with one of our Bartow lawyers about your child custody agreement, please call us at (863) 644-5566.