If you don't live with your children's other parent, you may need to draft a schedule.The schedule should be detailed.If one parent becomes sick, you should arrange how the children will be transported between households.
Step 1: You can find parenting time guidelines.
There are very specific schedules for children in all age groups in many states.The court may order you to follow the schedule if it is appropriate for your family.You can stop into the court clerk's office or look online for guidelines in your state.There is information on how custody is divided by state.The guideline schedule can be adjusted to suit your circumstances, if your family situation is evaluated.
Step 2: Agree to a schedule.
It is possible for one parent to visit with the children on the weekend.Agree on a schedule.Every other weekend, the children might visit the other parent.Weekends may not work for you.One parent might work during the week.If the parent is off for 2 days, you can have a visit.
Step 3: When visiting begins and ends.
Be specific.The more detailed a parenting plan is, the more successful it is.The time visitation begins and ends for this reason.The weekend will start at 6 pm on Friday and end at 5pm on Sunday.
Step 4: If desired, add other days.
The children might spend the night during the school week.You can have the children spend a Wednesday evening with the noncustodial parent.If your state's law requires it, you should add these days.If it is convenient for both parents, you may add other days.
Step 5: During school vacations, arrangevisitation.
During the year, most schools have a few weeks off.You have to decide how the children will spend their vacations.You can agree that each parent will get 1 week of vacation.
Step 6: It's better to divide summer vacation into two parts.
There are two ways you can do this.You can tell which weeks the noncustodial parent will be with their child.They might have the entire month of July with the children.At some point during the year, you can agree to set up a schedule.You could agree to sit down in April and plan the summer schedule.If you don't know what your summer schedule will be, this gives you some flexibility.
Step 7: The child has a birthday.
The easiest way to divide a child's birthday is by year.On even-numbered years, one parent will have the child on their birthday, while the other will.When the birthday visiting begins and ends.You could decide not to alternate birthdays.The children will always spend their birthdays with one parent.You should still write your agreement down.
Step 8: Prepare for holiday weekends.
A holiday occurs before or after the weekend.There are many holiday weekends in the U.S.When the holiday weekend begins and ends, divide them up.
Step 9: Take care of big holidays.
Thanksgiving and Christmas are the most important holidays in the U.S.Each year you might have the children alternate between their parents.You could have the children spend Thanksgiving with one parent and Christmas with the other parent.
Step 10: Don't forget Mother's Day.
The children might not be with their mom or dad on Mother's Day.It is possible to guarantee time together by writing it into your schedule.
Step 11: Pick up transportation.
Tell us how your children will be picked up.It's up to you.If the other parent doesn't have transportation, you might have one parent do both.State the location of pick-up and drop-off.Provide for how you will notify the other parent if you have another person transport the child.Kim or Tyler will pick up Abbey at each other's residence at the specified time.Kim or Tyler will get Abbey from the other's residence at a specified time.If either parent wants a third-party to pick up Abbey, they will give at least 2 hours notice by phone or email.
Step 12: There is a plan for a child's illness.
If the child is too sick to visit, tell the other parent how much notice you will give.Explain how you will make up for the child's illness.The custodial parent will notify the other parent at least 2 hours in advance.It is possible to make up any days missed in an equal number of days.
Step 13: Prepare for a parent's illness.
A parent might not be able to see their child.How much notice will be given and whether they can make up lost days should be explained.The custodial parent might need to be contacted at least 2 hours before the start of the visit.They can not make up the days if they don't give enough notice.It is up to you if a parent gets to make up time because they are sick.You can let them make up the time by extending their summer vacation.
Step 14: Do you know if clothing or other necessities will be transported?
Neither parent will have a full closet of clothes for their children.It is possible that clothing and other items will need to be transported with a child.How will this occur?You could write, "The custodial parent will send suitable clothing for each visit."The clothing must be washed at the end of the visit.The noncustodial parent can keep their clothing in their possession.
Step 15: You should arrange for telephone conversations.
Tell us how often the noncustodial parent can call the child.Clarify whether the custodial parent can be involved in the conversation or if they need permission from the parent who is calling.You could say, "Kim and Tyler can call Abbey 3 times a week when she is in the other parent's custody."Between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm is when phone calls must happen.Unless Abbey and the other parent agree, other parents can't listen in.
Step 16: You have to decide how to resolve disputes.
Even with the most thorough schedule, disputes can crop up.You need to make a decision about how you will handle disputes.Although you can run to court, there are more effective dispute resolution techniques.You and the other parent will meet with a neutral in mediation.The mediator listens and helps people reach an agreement.You can walk away from mediation if you don't like the outcome.You can check with your local community center if your court has a family law mediation program.Family law mediation can cost up to $400 an hour, but is an effective way to resolve conflicts.
Step 17: You should put your schedule in writing.
You should submit custody arrangements in writing to the court, since a judge will need to approve them.Child support, medical expenses, schooling, and religious upbringing are some of the topics discussed in a parenting plan.If one parent doesn't follow the rules, there will be repercussions.Once approved, each parent should keep a copy of the schedule so that they know what to expect.
Step 18: The judge should be involved if necessary.
You might not be able to reach an agreement.If you have a history of domestic violence or your child is afraid of them, you might want your ex's visit to be supervised.It is unlikely that your ex will agree to supervised visitation, so you will need to ask the judge for it.If there is a dispute between you and the other parent, you should talk to an attorney.A strong case can be made with the help of your attorney.If the other parent has been abusive, you should get copies of police reports, restraining orders and medical records.These can be submitted to the judge.You need to submit proof of your income, housing, access to transportation, and any other relevant details.