We here at Johnson & Johnson understand that developing a personalized child custody and visitation agreement is one of the most important things that you and the other parent can do early on in the divorce process to help guarantee that your family adapts successfully to new routines and lifestyle changes. In order to draft a plan that is effective, it is important to take into consideration the needs of everyone involved. This includes work schedules, school schedules, activities, travel plans and even medical appointments.
One major aspect of developing a successful child custody and visitation plan is effective communication between all parties involved. Remembering that you and your child’s other parent both have his or her best interests at heart can help to create neutral ground by which to talk and begin the negotiation process. It’s also important to remember that the other parent’s, as well as your own, parental rights will be considered when establishing visitation and custody arrangements. A number of important decisions will therefore be based on which parent is best suited to meet the particular care needs of the child.
It is at this point that you and your soon-to-be ex will discuss practical details, such as where the kids should go to school and/or which of you should be responsible for making emergency decisions for the children. It is worth noting that some of the most comprehensive and effective child custody and visitation agreements account for the interests and extracurricular activities of the children involved. By making sure that your kids continue to participate in their favorite pastimes, you can help to guarantee that they experience a positive transition.
For more information about divorce and children, please visit our child custody page.
