When parents get separated or divorced, it is wise to create a parenting plan to determine how custody and visitation work.
When making a plan, parents need to discuss how their children will be cared for and the certain responsibilities of each parent.
They may be unsure of what to include in a plan to make it most effective.
For this reason, a parenting plan walk through template is important to follow to ensure all aspects of custody and visitation are covered.
One of the first determinations a template provides is a parenting time schedule.
This schedule will help parents decide where their children will live and which parent is responsible for primary care and lodging.
The schedule should include specific dates, times and places for exchanges and custody.
Not only should there be a regular routine, there should also be a holiday and vacation schedule that outlines where, when and with whom vacations, school breaks and holidays are spent.
This will help ensure that both parents have significant and fair time with the children.
Parents are responsible for making decisions for their children.
This is called legal custody.
When divorce or separation occur, parents need to determine how to share legal custody of their children.
One parent may be given sole legal custody or both parents may have joint custody.
In a sole custody situation, one parent is responsible for making decisions.
In a joint custody situation, both parents have input in making decisions for their children.
A child's health is very important.
Healthcare for children should be a part of any parenting plan.
This information should outline how dental and medical care are provided for the children.
One of the first and most important considerations is that of health insurance.
Where the children will receive care and who will authorize that care are also important considerations.
If any of the children have current health problems, continuing care should be discussed.
Education for the children should also be determined in a walk through template.
Things such as where the children attend school, any extracurricular activities in which they participate and their academic schedules should be part of a plan.
If any of the children are too young to attend school, where and with whom they are cared for should be outlined.
If any of the children have completed school, considerations for college or higher education should be discussed.
Provisions may also need to be included in a parenting plan.
There may be provisions such as right of first refusal, how to resolve parental disputes, how changes will be made to the plan and common house rules for each parent's home.
These additional provisions offer that extra support needed to create better shared parenting.