PARENTING PLANS

A Parenting Plan is an agreement between parents addressing how they are going to meet their children's needs and apportion parenting responsibilities. Lawyers, judges, and members of the mental health community all agree that children fair better when parents cooperate in developing a plan to address their children's needs, rather than letting a judge make these decisions.

Parenting plans cover the following topics among others:

• Decision making regarding the children's medical, psychological, educational, spiritual, and social needs
• Where the children will live and when
• How will the children spend time with each parent
• Exchange of information between parents
• Communication with children when they are with the other parent
• Transportation of the children between parent's homes
• Holiday and vacation schedules
• Child care arrangements
• Processes for resolving future disputes between parents

Parents know their children better than anyone else and it is with that knowledge that parents can develop a parenting plan that best suits the needs of their children. Court ordered custody arrangements almost always lack sufficient detail, never make both parties happy, and often times may not be in the best interest of your child. Parties dissatisfied with court ordered custody arrangements often find themselves back in court re-litigating parenting arrangements.

If you would like to give your children the best start after a divorce or parental breakup, contact the Law Office of Kimberly T. Arn at (240) 345-2015 or via email at info@kimberlyarnlaw.com for assistance in creating a plan that works best for your family.

10015 Old Columbia Road, Suite B-215
Columbia, Maryland 21046