Sharing custody of your children is difficult for all involved. After all, when you had your kids, you imagined that you would likely live together as a family and see your kids most every day. Sharing custody after a divorce means that you are splitting that time with your ex. It is important to consider how to set up a custody agreement that will work for your family in the long term. Generally, in Minnesota, the courts want you to try to resolve the terms of your divorce (including a custody agreement) using an alternative dispute resolution technique instead of litigation. Post divorce issues are very hard to estimate unless you have a crystal ball.
Strategies for Developing A Parenting Plan
When you decide to divorce, your marriage may end, but, if you share kids, your relationship with your ex does not. It shifts to a co-parenting relationship, and you must figure out how to work together for the benefit of your kids as they age and their needs change. Finding the right balance is different for every family. For some, a true 50/50 split with 1 week with each parent works best, for other families, a different split is best. It is important that you think about what will ultimately be best for your kids’ wellbeing. After all, they did not make the decision to divorce and may have only a limited understanding of why this is happening. Focusing on their wellbeing is a critical element of developing a successful long term custody agreement.
It is important for a custody agreement to be written to include all aspects of a parenting plan including parameters around the following items:
● Vacation schedules
● Transfer guidelines
● Decisions about extra-curricular activities, vacations and travel
● Potential relocation by one party
● New relationship/remarriage and blended families
● Communication between parents
● Financial responsibilities for child-related expenses
● Healthcare decisions
Co-Parenting After Divorce in MN
The team at AMS Mediation has extensive experience working with families to create an effective parenting plan that will be successful. In addition, if you need to make any adjustments down the road to adapt or refine it, we can help you with that as well. Working with our team will give you the tools that you need to cooperate with your ex on behalf of your kids, focusing on their best interest rather than all of the conflict that pushed you to the decision to divorce. For more information on taking the necessary steps to create and file a child custody agreement in Minnesota, give us a call at 952-252-1492. We now offer all of our services virtually for maximum convenience.
