Divorce is not necessarily a happy time for families, even if it means they will ultimately have a brighter future following the split. If parents in Noblesville are getting a divorce, they likely want to make sure their children do not suffer due to their split. One way to ensure that parents are on the same page post-divorce is to have an agreed-upon parenting plan.
Parenting plan basics
The state of Indiana recognizes that the best parenting plan is one that is created by the parents themselves in light of their unique needs and the unique needs of their child. There are provisions that parents and the court can follow to execute a comprehensive parenting plan that allows each parent with frequent, meaningful and continuing contact with their child.
The following are some factors parents may want to keep in mind when developing a parenting plan. These factors aim to ensure that the provisions in the parenting plan are safe, secure, developmentally appropriate. Above all, all parenting plans in Indiana must meet the child’s best interests.
Parenting plan factors
The following are certain factors related to the child that parents will want to consider when developing a parenting plan. These include:
- The child’s age, temperament and maturity
- The daily routines the child follows
- How the child responds to being separated from each parent
- The child’s ability to make transitions
- The child’s developmental needs; and
- The child’s characteristics
The following are certain factors related to the parents that they will want to consider when developing a parenting plan. These include:
- Each parent’s temperament and how it “fits” with that of the child
- Each parent’s health
- Whether substance use is an issue
- Whether domestic or child abuse is an issue
- Each parent’s awareness of and responsiveness to the child’s developmental needs; and
- Each parent’s ability and willingness to be flexible in daily life and as the child grows
In addition, a parents will want to consider factors related to the relationship they have with the child. These include:
- Each parent’s loving attachment and availability to the child
- Each parent’s ability to identify and be sensitive to the child’s needs
- Each parent’s caregiving history, interest and motivation; and
- Whether child abuse or neglect is a situation
Also, there are factors concerning the parents’ ability to co-parent that should be considered. These include:
- Each parent’s ability and willingness to be flexible with change
- Whether conflict and/or domestic violence is an issue
- Each parent’s ability to protect the child from being exposed to parental conflict
- Each parent’s ability to talk or otherwise communicate with one another in a timely manner about situations relating to the child
- Each parent’s ability to help foster a relationship between their child and their ex; and
- Each parent’s ability to cooperate with one another to meet the developmental needs of the child
Finally, there are environmental factors that parents should consider when developing a parenting plan. These include:
- How close the parents live to one another
- Each parent’s work schedule
- How the presence of the child’s extended family and close friends
- Whether child care is necessary due to work or other circumstances and whether each parent has the ability to pay for it; and
- The ability of each parent to transfer the child between households
As this shows, there are many considerations parents will want to keep in mind when developing a parenting plan. Note that the basis for any decision relating to the child is the child’s best interests. And above all, parents who can cooperate together when executing custody arrangements set the groundwork for future positive communications and cooperation as they work together to raise their child post-divorce.