3 Tips For Creating An Amicable Co-Parenting Plan During A Divorce
Divorce can be one of the most difficult things a person goes through in life. This is especially the case if there are children involved. When the custody and care of children is part of the divorce things can get ugly quickly. For this reason, many couples are coming up with co-parenting plans so they can, hopefully, avoid a costly child custody battle in court. Here are three tips for creating an amicable co-parenting plan during a divorce.
1. Sit down with a mediator.
Whether you and your ex get along well or not, you would both benefit from seeking the help of a mediator when creating your co-parenting plan. A mediator is a third party with no vested interest in the outcome for either side - unlike an attorney. An attorney will usually fight for what is best for just their client, while a mediator does everything they can to find the best solution for all parties involved.
While a mediator will always look for the best compromise and help both of you see points that you may not have seen previously, it is still up to both of you whether or not you follow their advice.
2. Leave the emotional baggage at the door.
Emotional baggage can be one of the biggest hindrances when it comes to creating a co-parenting plan during a divorce. If your ex wronged you during the marriage, it can be tempting to want to make things more difficult for them when it comes to creating a co-parenting plan. Ultimately, however, you need to leave the emotional baggage at the door because it will cloud your judgment. You can't think of what is best for your children if you are too preoccupied with seeking revenge on your ex.
3. Ask the children for their input.
If your children are older, it can be a good idea to ask them what they would like to have included in the co-parenting plan. Make it clear that you both just want what is best for them and you value their opinions on that.
Of course, that is not to say you have to go with every single thing they want, but at least make an effort to use some of their ideas. For example, if your child has a longstanding birthday tradition with the other parent, try to be accommodating so the tradition doesn't get broken because of child custody issues.
A little bit of goodwill can go a long way for all parties involved when it comes to creating a co-parenting plan during a divorce. For more information, work with an experienced lawyer from a firm like Madison Law Firm PLLC.
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