There are many factors to take into account when you consider divorcing your spouse. Most of these will revolve around material items, but few are as important as matters regarding your children. If you have children with your spouse, you will likely face various issues involving child custody and support.
One aspect that many people overlook is developing a successful parenting plan. A parenting plan essentially divides up your children’s time and addresses issues such as visitation and custody. A good plan takes your children’s best interests into account.
If you are considering divorce, Queens divorce attorney Elliot Green can help you prepare for the process, explain the possible outcomes and provide guidance on how to handle post-divorce life. At Elliot Green Law Offices, we can assist you with a range of family law matters and prevent mistakes that could compromise your interests.
Schedule an appointment today by calling us at 718-260-8668. We provide a free 30-minute consultation to all potential clients, and are available to meet 24 hours per day. If you are wondering how to create an appropriate parenting plan, it may be useful to take the following two factors into account:
- How Parents and Children Spend Time Together
New York Courts provide a specific form on which to record all relevant details about time spent with your children, and it is important to isolate general types of visits. These may include overnight stays, standard time at home during which you perform chores and regular duties, outside activities, travel excursions, holidays and time your children may spend away from both parents on field trips or with friends. All of these make up an important part of your children’s year, and it necessary to find a balance between them to give children a rounded upbringing.
- Your Children’s Ages
You will need to structure your parenting plan according to the age of your children. The younger the child, the more responsibility you will have, and you may need to obtain the services of a caregiver or babysitter to help you cope.
The older your child, the more duties and responsibilities he or she is likely to have at school. Consider important logistics such as who will pick up your child from school, which social engagements you may have to take into account and how your child may get along with any new family members or step-siblings. As your children grow up, it may be more preferable for them to spend extended periods of time at each parents’ house while still maintaining contact with the other.
Devising a parenting plan during divorce is a difficult process and may require some careful consideration of your children’s best interests. At Elliot Green Law Offices, we can help you understand the processes surrounding your divorce. To speak to a qualified Staten Island family lawyer today, call us at 718-260-8668 to schedule an appointment.
