When parents decide to get a divorce in Maryland, the wellbeing and future of their children is a top priority. One important aspect of this is creating a parenting plan that outlines how child custody and visitation will be handled. In this article, we will go into detail on what a parenting plan is, why it’s important, and how to create one in Maryland.
What Is A Parenting Plan?
A parenting plan is a written agreement between divorcing parents that outlines how they will share custody and visitation of their children. It is a comprehensive document that covers many aspects of parenting, such as decision-making responsibilities, holiday schedules, transportation arrangements, and how disputes will be resolved.
Why Is A Parenting Plan Important?
A parenting plan is essential because it establishes a framework for how the divorcing parents will care for their children. It provides a clear understanding of each parent’s responsibilities, which can help avoid conflicts and disagreements down the line. It also reduces ambiguity and uncertainty, which can be stressful for children and parents alike.
Additionally, a parenting plan is legally binding, meaning that if one parent violates it, the other parent can take legal action and seek enforcement of the agreement. This can be useful in cases where one parent is not adhering to the custody arrangements as stipulated in the parenting plan.
How To Create A Parenting Plan In Maryland
Creating a parenting plan in Maryland requires careful consideration and collaboration between the divorcing parents. Here are the steps involved in creating a parenting plan:
Step 1: Determine Custody Arrangements
The first step in creating a parenting plan is deciding on custody arrangements. Maryland recognizes two types of custody: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody refers to decision-making authority, such as educational and medical decisions, and physical custody refers to where the child will live.
Parents can agree to a joint or sole custody arrangement for both legal and physical custody. Joint custody means that both parents share decision-making authority and physical custody, while sole custody means that only one parent has decision-making authority and physical custody.
Step 2: Establish A Visitation Schedule
Once custody arrangements have been established, the next step is to create a visitation schedule. This outlines the specific times and dates that the non-custodial parent will spend time with the children. It can include regular visitation, such as weekends, holidays, and vacations.
It’s important to be specific and clear in the visitation schedule, including pickup and drop-off times and locations. This can help avoid confusion and reduce the potential for conflict.
Step 3: Include Details On Decision-Making Responsibilities
In addition to custody arrangements and visitation schedules, the parenting plan should outline decision-making responsibilities. This can include who will make decisions related to education, healthcare, and religious upbringing.
Step 4: Include Transportation Arrangements
Transportation arrangements can also be included in the parenting plan. This outlines how the children will be transported between parents’ homes, school, and extracurricular activities. It should include details on who is responsible for transportation and how costs will be divided.
Step 5: Include Details On Communication
Another important aspect of the parenting plan is communication. The plan should include how parents will communicate about the children, including phone calls, emails, and text messages.
Step 6: Include Details On Dispute Resolution
Lastly, the parenting plan should include details on how disputes will be resolved. This can include mediation or other alternative dispute resolution methods.
Final Thoughts
Creating a parenting plan in Maryland is an essential step in the divorce process. It provides a roadmap for how the parents will share custody and visitation of their children, which can reduce stress and conflicts down the line. By working collaboratively and thoughtfully, parents can create a parenting plan that meets the needs of their children and family.