Do You Have a Parenting Plan for Tennessee Child Custody?
Child Custody Parenting Plan Examples in Tennessee – What Needs Deciding
In every Tennessee divorce with children and child custody issues, a parenting plan will be needed to address matters relating to child custody. Custody isn’t just about deciding who will have physical custody and who will have legal custody. There are quite a few child-rearing details that must be worked out between the parents.
Essentials of Every Tennessee Parenting Plan
Unless you’ve been through a divorce yourself, or have had a close friend or family member go through the process, then the “parenting plan” may be a foreign concept to you. First of all, this is a written plan which must be approved by the court. Second, the court will issue a permanent parenting plan order which both parties must comply with or risk being held in contempt of court.
The parenting plan covers almost every situation feasible regarding the care, custody, and upbringing of a minor child. Furthermore, any plan must take into consideration what is in the child’s best interests (not what is in the parents’ best interests).
What to Include in Your Parenting Plan:
When you meet with a Tennessee child custody lawyer about your proposed parenting plan, be prepared to discuss the following important issues:
● Will you, the other parent, or both of you be responsible for making important decisions about the child’s education, non-emergency health care, extracurricular activities, and religious upbringing?
● How much residential time will the child spend at each household? Will one of you have the child more than 50% of the time as the primary residential parent?
● Do you have a day-to-day schedule in mind for the care of your child?
● Have you worked out a holiday schedule? Who will have the child during school vacations and breaks?
● How will your child be transported during parenting time exchanges?
● Do you believe supervised parenting time will be necessary? If yes, then who should be responsible for any associated costs?
● Do you have the financial information needed to calculate child support obligations?
● Who will have the right to claim the child tax credit for income tax purposes?
● Who will maintain health and dental insurance for your child? Who will pay for expenses not covered by insurance, such as prescription eye glasses and co-pays?
● Will you or the other parent maintain life insurance for the benefit of your child?
● How will disputes arising out of the implementation of your parenting plan be resolved? Have you considered mediation or arbitration through a neutral facilitator?
Every divorcing mother and father needs to learn more about Tennessee’s parenting plan law. Take a moment to visit our webpage on:
Tennessee Child Custody Laws in Divorce | Answers to FAQs
Learn your options. Working out the details of a parenting plan requires patience, persistence, and sound legal advice from a Tennessee child custody lawyer.
Can Parenting Plans Be Modified? Ask a Memphis TN Lawyer
Although the details included in the permanent parenting plan consider the child’s entire minority, circumstances and the needs of the child may change over time. Modification of the parenting plan order, therefore, can be possible with a material change of circumstances.
Tennessee child custody lawyers with the Miles Mason Family Law Group handle child support, child custody, parent relocation, and child custody modifications. To schedule your confidential consultation, call us today at (901) 683-1850.
