Vaughan Divorce Lawyers for the Creation of Parenting Plans

A parenting plan is a comprehensive set of terms that will govern parenting time and decision-making ability following separation or divorce. This plan will clearly set out each parent’s rights and obligations with respect to the day-to-day care of their children, as well as establish rules regarding communication between the parents. The purpose of a parenting plan is to ensure each parent is very clear on what is expected of them, reducing the chances of miscommunication or conflict going forward. Parenting plans can be negotiated or resolved through mediation or the Collaborative Family Practice and can form part of the separation agreement or a court order.

At Bortolussi Family Law in Vaughan, our family lawyers have been representing clients with respect to parenting disputes and the creation of parenting plans since our inception in 1984. We bring compassion and experience to the inherently emotional and stressful process of resolving a parenting dispute, so our clients can tackle the issue with confidence. We work with clients to custom design a highly detailed, mutually agreeable plan to set out each person’s responsibilities based on factors unique to each family’s circumstances.

What Is Included in a Parenting Plan?

A parenting plan is a legally binding document that establishes roles and responsibilities for both parents with respect to each child. Both parenting time and decision-making ability should be addressed in a parenting plan. Parenting plans can be extremely detailed, encompassing everything from which parent will make a child’s medical decisions, educational decisions, and extra-curricular activities, as well as religious upbringing, residence, the time and location of pick-ups or drop-offs. An effective parenting plan should address current circumstances and prepare for future changes as the children age and their needs change.

Parenting plans typically include:

• A detailed schedule of where children will be day-to-day, or week-to-week, pursuant to the parenting time arrangements. This may include specific details regarding pick up and drop off procedures, and alternative arrangements if one parent cannot make their scheduled time.
• Plans for notice if a parent needs to change the schedule, and reasons why a change may be permitted. For example, if a parent is required to travel for work, a change will likely be necessary. However, the other parent may require a week’s notice in order to make the necessary arrangements.
• Rules for communication between the parents. Parents may wish to limit communication to email or text or have a weekly call to discuss any concerns they have with respect to their children.
• Rules for how a child will be disciplined in the event of behavioural issues.
• A child’s daily routine, to ensure consistency between households.
• Rules for resolving disputes which may arise over how to manage any issues over which they share or alternate control.

Parents can include any details specific to their unique parenting agreements or orders, or any issues of particular importance to their family. The plan must be clear and specific. Carefully crafted, detailed parenting plans create consistency for children and help minimize conflict between parents.

Contact the Divorce Lawyers at Bortolussi Family Law in Vaughan for Effective Parenting Plans

Creating a comprehensive parenting plan is made much easier with the assistance of a skilled and experienced family lawyer. At Bortolussi Family Law, we help our clients create detailed and enforceable parental plans which clearly set out each parent’s rights and obligations. Whether you are settling matters through mediation, negotiation, or collaborative family law, or designing a plan as part of a court parenting order, we will ensure your plan is custom-tailored to suit your family’s unique needs.

Our family lawyers have the compassion and experience to make the process of designing a parenting plan as stress-free as possible. We will ensure each plan proactively addresses all important scenarios, reducing room for misinterpretation. To discuss your circumstances and learn about the options available to you, please reach out to us online or by phone at 416-987-3300.