Tracy Bensun

Using a Joint Custody Parenting Plan

Joint custody parenting plans are helpful in determining how a child is cared for and details important information for being an effective shared parent. Joint custody plans also help ease the anxiety and transition into shared parenting for both your child and for you.

When joint custody is awarded to separated or divorced parents, it is wise to create a parenting plan. Let's first discuss the definition of joint custody. Joint custody is defined as both parents being named “custodial parents” of their child. There are two different types of joint custody: physical and legal.

Joint physical custody can also be defined as joint physical care. This is where both parents are responsible for their child's care and residence. How those responsibilities are divided should be determined in a parenting plan.

Joint legal custody is where both parents have equal power in making decisions for their child and also have equal access to their child's health, educational and other vital records.

Joint custody parenting plans help divorced or separated parents determine many things in joint custody arrangements. Some information that should be covered in a joint custody plan includes:

• which parent has primary physical custody (the parent primarily responsible for the child's care and residence), and how physical custody of the child is divided;

• how vacations, holidays and other special activities and events are split and spent;

• how transportation, exchanges, locations and dates and times of visitation are arranged;

• how parental disagreements are handled; and

• what measures will be taken in case of an emergency, or unexpected or unplanned event

Parenting plans are very effective to share with a judge or mediator in future custody hearings and also to determine if adjustments need to be made.

Joint custody parenting plans are helpful in determining how a child is cared for and details important information for being an effective shared parent. Joint custody plans also help ease the anxiety and transition into shared parenting for both your child and for you. A parenting plan also acts as a tie breaker when child custody issues come up. A parenting plan should always be utilized in shared parenting situations.

Joint custody plans simply make shared parenting work more smoothly, easier and more enjoyable for everyone involved.

You can make an effective joint custody parenting plan using Custody X Change software. With Custody X Change, you will be able to create a good plan that both parents can use to make child custody better for your child. Shared parenting may not be fun or easy, but using a parenting plan is in the best interest of your child. Let Custody X Change help you make a good joint custody parenting plan.  

Article Tags: Custody Parenting Plan, Joint Custody, Custody Parenting, Parenting Plan, Both Parents, Shared Parenting

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