In Michigan, parents need to create a parenting plan after they get a divorce. This allows for both you and your ex-spouse to continue having a presence in your child’s life, which benefits everyone. Lisa Stern, a Michigan family law attorney, is here to guide you through the process of creating your own individual parenting plan.
Parenting plans will differ from situation to situation. What worked for your divorced friends might not necessarily be the best set-up for you. For example, do you or your ex-spouse travel a lot? Are you military? Does one of you live farther away? Were there allegations of abuse tied up in the divorce? Does a mediator have anything different to say? Try looking at the situation from as many angles as possible before deciding on a final plan.
The plan itself should address a few different points as well. Many people consider who will get primary custody and who will have visitation rights. They focus on which weekends the children will go to which house. But you’ll also need to take other time schedules and events into consideration like:
- Vacations
- Holidays
- Summer camps
- Overnight stays
- Long weekends
It’s important to come to a conclusion that everyone finds fair, and one that benefits your child. You may need to agree to make compromises on big dates like holidays or special events. This is where the aid of a mediator can come in handy.
Figuring out a parenting plan doesn’t have to be the nightmarish headache that some people make it out to be. If you’re going through this process, consider taking a look at our web page on parenting plans, linked above.
Tags: Child Custody