After divorce, a Virginia couple may need to create a parenting plan for custody and visitation. Parents should think about this schedule from the child’s point of view. This means considering the child’s schedule as well as where they both live and the location of the child’s school. The aim should not be the parents’ convenience but to make things easy for the child.
Some parents may be tempted to use the schedule to get back at an ex. However, the plan should be designed to keep both households involved with the child. Parents may also need to accept that they have different parenting styles. In most cases, a child won’t be harmed by this difference. Some parents may have plans for the future, such as relocating in a few years to be closer to a child’s school. However, the parenting schedule should focus only on the present since these types of plans can change. If necessary, the parents can give the schedule a test run for a few weeks and make changes.
Unfortunately, parents who cannot make an agreement on their own might have to go to court. This may ultimately be a disadvantage as the judge could make a decision that’s actually inconvenient for both parents.
During the child custody negotiation process, legal counsel could help parents resolve conflict and reach agreements. In some cases, such as when abuse or neglect is involved, a parent may want to fight for sole custody. A family law attorney could gather the necessary evidence and make a case on behalf of the client in front of a judge.
