Parenting Plan Attorney in Petaluma, CA
More and more families are consulting parenting plan attorneys while working through divorce and separation, and for good reason. Navigating custody and visitation is not easy, and disagreements are common. This can draw out the process, causing undue stress for parents and children alike. Seeking legal assistance can help keep the process on track, allowing your family to transition into new routines faster and easier.
At Wine Country Family Law, P.C., we work alongside families to translate their needs into a comprehensive parenting plan. In doing so, we help families identify a routine and schedule that benefits everyone involved. Creating a thoughtful parenting plan is not easy, but it is necessary. Speaking with an experienced parenting plan attorney can help get the ball rolling. Consider contacting our team today at (707) 669-0841 to get started.
What is a Parenting Plan?
California Family Code Chapter 4 addresses all aspects of custody during a divorce. The law clearly provides for two types of custody, namely:
- Physical custody: this refers to the living arrangements and visitation schedule of the children. How will they share their time between both parents? Where will they live? How long does each parent get to spend with the children at a given time?
- Legal custody: this refers to all decision-making that parents make relating to the children. How are their health, education, and welfare accounted for? Are both parents given the opportunity to make major decisions regarding the lives of their children?
A parenting plan is used to outline these two aspects. It is a written agreement that is signed by both parents, approved by the court, and used if any disagreements arise. In its most ideal form, a parenting plan is used to avoid disputes and ensure the stability and wellbeing of all children involved.
As such, parenting plans serve as important guiding lights when making decisions related to the care of your children. These agreements should not be made in haste and it is important to sit down and consider how to best serve your child during this time. At Wine Country Family Law, P.C., our parenting plan attorneys have negotiated and drafted air-tight agreements for our clients, creating smoother and less-stressful transitions for all parties involved.
What Should Be Included in a Parenting Plan?
In its most basic form, a parenting plan must address physical and legal custody agreements. It is ideal, however, to include as much information within the parenting plan as possible. By going into detail regarding how children will be cared for, it is possible to avoid stress and potential disputes down the line. This, in turn, helps the children maintain a sense of stability and peace as they navigate the changes brought about by divorce and separation.
Essentially, a well-crafted parenting plan will address how decisions are made regarding the children’s day-to-day care and the control that a parent has while supervising the children. It can be helpful to think of parenting plans as a framework that is used for making decisions and establishing a routine. It can be helpful to consider the following questions when creating your parenting plan:
- Who will schedule and attend your children’s medical appointments?
- Who is responsible for transporting your children to and from school?
- Where will your children spend weeknights, weekends, and holidays?
- How will you address the potential relocation of a parent?
- Who is responsible for handling social and extracurricular activities for your children?
- How will birthdays and vacations be handled?
- How will you utilize babysitters and daycare?
- Who will take your children to and from visitation exchanges?
While it is not required to address all of these issues in your parenting plan, it can be helpful to include these details. There are additional requirements that may be included in special circumstances and a parenting plan attorney can more clearly outline these specifications for you and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have been assisting families in creating parenting plans for years now. After handling even the most complex familial arrangements, we understand which questions are more relevant to parents during this process.
How Do California Courts Decide Visitation?
When making judgements on visitation and custody, California courts will weigh the best interests of the child, according to Section 3011 of the California Family Code. Some of the factors that a court will consider when granting visitation and custody include:
- The proposed parenting plan submitted by the parents
- The wishes of the child, assuming they are of sufficient age
- The emotional ties that a child has to each parent
- The willingness of a parent to actively perform their duties as a mother or father
- The parent’s ability to provide continuity and stability
- The intention of a parent to relocate the primary residence of the children
This highlights the importance of crafting a well-intentioned and thorough parenting plan. The courts will look to this plan to ensure the stability and wellbeing of the children, which will inform their custody and visitation decisions.
What If Parents Cannot Agree on a Parenting Plan?
If parents cannot reach an agreement, consulting a parenting plan attorney can be highly valuable. An experienced legal professional can help negotiate the terms of the plan in an unbiased manner, removing emotional tension from the equation. This can provide much needed clarity for parents who are trying to navigate the terms of their children’s care following a divorce or separation.
How Can Wine Country Family Law, P.C. Help?
Working through divorce and separation can be tumultuous for both parents and children alike. Creating a thoughtful parenting plan can help reduce the tension and the likelihood of disagreement long-term. This is a tall order, however, and writing a comprehensive parenting plan can be complicated.
Thankfully, our team of parenting plan attorneys at Wine Country Family Law, P.C. have the skill and experience necessary to craft strong agreements. We are available to help your family through the process. Consider contacting our family law attorneys today at (707) 669-0841 to learn more.
