Philadelphia Parenting Plan Lawyer
Parents have both rights and responsibilities with respect to minor children, even when they do not themselves maintain an intact relationship. Therefore, child custody and visitation are central issues in a Pennsylvania divorce, and they can also arise in connection with paternity proceedings. A parenting plan is a detailed structure that addresses important decision making and time with the child in a co-parenting arrangement.
However, there are many details and requirements involved with developing a parenting plan. It is crucial to get legal help, so trust the Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane to protect your rights as a parent. Please contact us to speak to a Philadelphia parenting plan lawyer today. We can schedule a consultation to discuss details, and some background information is useful.
The Role of a Parenting Plan
There are two contexts in which parents may need to address parenting plans:
- In a contested case, a court might order parents to prepare a detailed parenting plan outlining their view of the ideal custody and visitation arrangement. The judge will review the documents filed by both parents, and then apply all relevant factors of the Pennsylvania child’s best interests standard.
- Parents can opt to create a parenting plan as they participate in out-of-court negotiations to come up with an agreement on custody and visitation. The document serves as a useful framework for discussions as parents get closer together on compromise. The parenting plan may also be important for parents who are going through mediation to resolve disputes over custody and visitation.
Details to Include in a Parenting Plan
To clarify, custody refers to the power to make important decisions involved with raising the child. Pennsylvania law prefers a co-parenting arrangement for purposes of custody, which supports the child’s relationship with both parents. The child will typically reside with one parent, while the non-residential parent will have rights to visitation.
With these points in mind, there are few details that are important to include in a parenting plan:
- The schedule for each parent’s care and control of the child, including weekly and monthly parenting time, school breaks, holidays, and vacations;
- Handling the child’s medical insurance and health care;
- Basics about the child’s education, extracurricular activities, and involvement in religion;
- Limitations on gaming and online activities;
- Transportation, pick ups, and drop offs;
- A plan for how to make changes or resolve disputes over custody and visitation.
Legal Help is Crucial
Whether through a contested hearing or agreement, the parenting plan is legally binding once the order is entered in court. It affects your rights and obligations for the foreseeable future, so consulting with a Pennsylvania parenting plan attorney is critical. The Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane will assist by:
- Discussing your circumstances and goals with respect to custody and visitation;
- Working with you to develop a parenting plan that aligns with your objectives and suits your needs;
- Negotiating with your child’s other parent to resolve disputes over the parenting plan;
- Representing you at mediation to work out disagreements; and,
- Advocating on your behalf during a contested hearing on custody, which will involve presenting evidence and arguments on how your parenting plan meets the factors listed in the child’s best interests statute.
You Can Rely on a Philadelphia Parenting Plan Lawyer
Both an arrangement ordered by the court and one you work out by agreement will carry forward for the foreseeable future. It is important to get legal help with parenting plans, so please contact the Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane to set up a consultation. A Philadelphia parenting plan lawyer can advise you on custody and visitation issues after reviewing your circumstances.
