When couples with children divorce or separate, they need to create an arrangement for the care of their children that best meets their needs. In child custody, that arrangement is known as a parenting plan. A parenting plan is a written agreement between parents that lays out their rights and responsibilities in regards to the care of their children. A comprehensive parenting plan is vital to a continuing relationship between children and their unmarried parents. It is also useful to avoid conflicts that may arise in the future.
In this blog post, we are highlighting our Hartford office, which is one of our five convenient locations. Crafting a comprehensive parenting plan is crucial for couples with children undergoing the challenges of separation or divorce. At McConnell Family Law Group, our Hartford child custody lawyers can guide you through this intricate process, addressing essential issues that arise when creating a great parenting plan. From legal custody and visitation schedules to decision-making frameworks, we understand the intricacies involved. Contact us now at (860) 266-1166 to ensure a well-structured parenting plan that prioritizes your children’s well-being.
A parenting plan should cover the day to day responsibilities of each parent, the practical considerations of the children’s daily lives, as well as how parents will agree and consult on important long-term issues about their children. What is best for the children is the most important thing to consider when making a parenting plan. The following checklist identifies important issues to consider when developing a parenting plan. These issues are not exhaustive and are simply meant to help guide your thinking and discussions on the topic.
First and foremost, parents must decide on living arrangements for their children. This is referred to as “physical custody.” Parents may decide that the children live equally with each parent, moving between two homes on an alternating schedule. Parents may also choose to have the children live primarily with one parent, and have frequent visitation with the other. Regardless of the arrangement, determining where the children will live is usually the first step.
In most cases, parents will equally share the right and responsibility to make major decisions affecting their children’s lives. These decisions specifically include those regarding their children’s health, education and religious upbringing. This is referred to as “joint legal custody.” Under Connecticut law, there is a presumption that joint legal custody is in the best interests of the children (C. G. S. § 46b-56a(b)). In exceptional circumstances, such as those involving physical or substance abuse, sole legal custody may be rewarded.
Under Connecticut law, child support is calculated using The Connecticut Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines (C.G.S. § 46b-215b). These state regulations provide a mathematical formula to set the child support payment amount. The Guidelines use the combined income of each parent and the number of children to set a child support amount. Courts may deviate from the Guidelines in exceptional circumstances, such as when both parents live with and care for the children for substantially equal periods of time.
State and federal laws require that children have health insurance coverage. Parents need to decide which parent will pay for this coverage (C.G.S. § 46b-84). If one parent has a better health insurance policy and/or can obtain coverage at the least cost, that parent will likely be required to continue providing coverage for the children. The payments made toward health insurance will be considered in the process of calculating child support.
Life is full of unexpected expenses, such as uncovered medical bills, payment for orthodontic devices, or therapeutic services for children. Parents should have a plan in place for splitting these unexpected costs. Parents should also discuss how they will split other sporadic expenses such as new textbooks for school, extra-curricular activities, or a vehicle for driver–aged children.
Parents need to create a plan for reliably transporting their children where they need to go. Parents will need to consider their individual work schedules and work out a plan for transporting their children to and from daycare, school, extracurricular activities, parties, and play dates. Parents also need to determine who is responsible for transportation when the children’s custody changes hands, where the exchanges will happen, and what the ground rules will be.
How children will spend their vacations, holidays, and other special events like birthdays, can be a divisive issue between parents. It is important to address this issue early, so both parents understand the rules in advance. Will the children spend certain holidays with one parent every year, or will holidays alternate between parents? Parents should come up with a fair arrangement that considers all school breaks, holidays and special events (birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and other events such as weddings, graduations, etc.).
Parents should decide who will attend parent-teacher conferences and other school and extra-curricular events. Will both parents arrive separately to each event, or will events be split? If events are split, parents must decide upon a method for determining who will attend each event. (For example, Mom attends on even numbered days, and Dad attends on odd numbered days.)
Connecticut law recognizes that individuals other than parents are often significant in children’s lives, and have a strong interest in maintaining contact with the children (C.G.S. § 46b-59). Parents will need to decide who (grandparents, relatives, friends) may visit with the children, when they will visit, and how often. Parents should also decide how and when the children will communicate with these third parties.
Generally, parents should not communicate with each other through their children. Parents should decide upon a method and schedule for communicating with each other about the children’s lives and for decision-making. Parents should also decide upon a method and schedule for the children to communicate with them.
Generally, the parent with primary physical custody will claim the tax deduction for the children each year. However, this tax deduction is valuable, and can often be used as a bargaining chip during negotiations for child support and visitation rights. Parents may decide that a non-custodial parent will claim the tax deduction each year, or parents may decide to alternate claiming the deduction. Regardless, parents must decide who will claim the deduction to avoid tax issues with the IRS later on.
If you and your former spouse have been contributing to a college fund for your children, it is worth discussing how that will continue. Parents may decide to continue contributing jointly to a college savings plan or trust fund, or both parents may decide to start a savings account on their own.
Parents should discuss what to do if one parent finds himself or herself in a situation where they need to relocate away from the other parent. Parents should contemplate this possibility and work through issues like physical custody, visitation, and costs of travel. Parents may agree to prohibit any relocation except with prior court approval, and reasonable notice.
| Important Issues To Consider When Creating A Parenting Plan | Details |
|---|---|
| Child Living Arrangements (Physical Custody) | Decide where the children will live, either equally with both parents or primarily with one, with visitation. |
| Legal Decision-Making (Joint Legal Custody) | Share responsibility for major decisions regarding health, education, and religion, unless exceptional circumstances require sole legal custody. |
| Child Support Calculation | Calculate child support following state guidelines based on both parents’ income and the number of children. Deviations may apply in exceptional cases. |
| Health Insurance Coverage | Determine which parent provides health insurance for the children, considering costs in child support calculations. |
| Uncovered Expenses and Sporadic Costs | Plan for sharing unforeseen expenses such as medical bills and other irregular costs. |
| Transportation Arrangements | Establish a transportation plan for school, activities, and custody exchanges based on work schedules. |
| Holidays, Vacations, and Special Events | Decide how children will spend holidays, vacations, and special events between parents, including fair arrangements for all occasions. |
No matter how well parents plan for the future, they simply cannot anticipate every contingency. Since even the most cooperative parents will not always agree, it is important to have a plan in place for resolving future disputes. Parents should consider deciding upon a mediator they can use whenever a serious conflict arises. Connecticut law also encourages the involvement of a mental health professional to assist in reaching a developmentally appropriate resolution to any disputes.
In addition to the issues listed above, Connecticut parenting plans must address the following:
The parenting plan serves as a set of mutually agreed-upon guidelines outlining the actions parents will take in specific situations. These plans can vary significantly, encompassing diverse issues and provisions. For instance, they might incorporate provisions related to certain behaviors, such as speaking negatively about the other parent in the presence of the child. If past incidents have shown that alcohol consumption poses a risk, the plan could restrict drinking when the child is present. Essentially, any stipulation benefiting the child can be included.
When one parent holds sole legal custody, a court-mandated parenting plan isn’t obligatory. However, for arrangements involving joint legal or joint physical custody, a comprehensive parenting plan must be established. In Connecticut, parents involved in any child custody dispute are required to file a proposed parenting plan with the court (C. G. S. § 46b-56a(d)). The parenting plan is usually negotiated between the parents and their legal counsel and then presented to the family court for approval. These plans usually aren’t a major source of contention. Most parents can pinpoint the aspects of the plan that hold significance for them. (Conflict can arise, however, if there’s a history of substance abuse or a need for supervision during one parent’s designated parenting time). If the court finds that the parenting plan is in the children’s best interest, it will enter custody orders based upon the adoption of the plan.
To learn more about parenting plans, it is crucial to seek assistance from a Hartford child custody lawyer. At McConnell Family Law Group, we help parents work with each other to create a parenting plan that is in the best interests of your children. Through mediation, negotiation, or litigation if necessary, our knowledgeable Connecticut family law attorneys will be your advocates and help you through difficult situations. If you would like more information about parenting plans, child support, visitation, or any other family law issue, contact us at (860) 266-1166 to schedule your appointment today.
