Marrieta Parenting Plan Attorneys
A divorce can be stressful for everyone involved, children even more so, both during and after the proceedings. A parenting plan is a document that outlines the various custody and co-parenting agreements. It serves to help any minor children in the family adjust to the separation while also ensuring their best interests are kept in mind.
By law, Georgia requires a permanent parenting plan as part of any divorce. Parents have some options when drawing up the parenting plan: working together or negotiating through their attorneys. Ultimately, if they don’t come to an agreement, a judge will make the final decision.
Ideally, parents should work together on the plan as that allows them to account for any unique circumstances or situations that the judge may not fully understand. Parents often inherently have a deeper insight into their children’s needs.
If both parties do not agree, their attorney will present their proposal before a judge and rely on the judge to choose the plan that appears to be the best for the child/ren. The judge may also use portions of each parent’s plan to create a new plan if they believe it offers a better solution.
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Contact the Roswell family law attorneys at Hobson & Hobson, P.C. today at (770)-343-5138. We have a satellite location at 1950 Spectrum Cir Suite 500, Marietta, GA 30067 (open Google Maps). Upon calling, one of our experienced professionals will help you begin your journey toward an amicable resolution.
Factors Influencing Judicial Decisions on Parenting Plans
Ultimately, the judge has the final say on what the permanent parenting plan looks like and will consider every aspect of the child’s wellbeing when ruling on the parenting plan. They may leave the parents’ plan unchanged or make drastic changes based on certain factors.
Examples of factors a judge may consider include:
- Do the parents truly have their child/ren’s best interests at heart or are they putting their needs first?
- Are parents approaching this plan cooperatively or antagonistically?
- Are the parents willing to compromise or take their concerns to arbitration?
- Does either parent have a history of domestic or substance abuse, and what is their current situation
- How involved are the parents in the child’s life?
- Are the parents healthy, both physically and mentally?
- Do the parents encourage close familial ties with the child/ren and their family, despite the divorce?
These factors can help the judge ensure the child’s best interests are protected. They’ll look at which parent is more in tune with the child’s needs, and which is more likely to provide adequate emotional support to settle the question of custody.
Factors Influencing Judicial Decisions on Parenting Plans
Ultimately, the judge has the final say on what the permanent parenting plan looks like and will consider every aspect of the child’s wellbeing when ruling on the parenting plan. They may leave the parents’ plan unchanged or make drastic changes based on certain factors.
Examples of factors a judge may consider include:
- Do the parents truly have their child/ren’s best interests at heart or are they putting their needs first?
- Are parents approaching this plan cooperatively or antagonistically?
- Are the parents willing to compromise or take their concerns to arbitration?
- Does either parent have a history of domestic or substance abuse, and what is their current situation
- How involved are the parents in the child’s life?
- Are the parents healthy, both physically and mentally?
- Do the parents encourage close familial ties with the child/ren and their family, despite the divorce?
These factors can help the judge ensure the child’s best interests are protected. They’ll look at which parent is more in tune with the child’s needs, and which is more likely to provide adequate emotional support to settle the question of custody.
Marietta Parenting Plan Requirements
Even the most amicable divorce can take a toll on a child’s wellbeing. A mutually agreeable parenting plan ensures that the child experiences as little disruption to their daily life as possible and protects their rights.
In the average Georgia family law case, the court will attempt a joint arrangement where both parents have a say in their child’s future. A judge typically only decides the final child custody agreement and custody arrangements under severe, extenuating circumstances.
A successful Marietta parenting plan needs to meet strict legal guidelines. Sticking to these guidelines will ensure a comprehensive agreement that eases the impact of the divorce on the child/ren.
Best Interests of the Child/ren
The parenting plan should focus on the child/ren and their best interests—not on the parents and their needs. Ideally, both parents will continue to maintain strong individual relationships with the child/ren and civil relationships with the other parent.
However, circumstances like restraining orders or a history of abuse or violence can dramatically affect the child’s best interests and are essential when developing a Marietta parenting plan.
Fosters Transparency
According to Georgia family law, both parents have full access to the child’s personal records, including medical, school, religious, and insurance records. However, parents may decide to place limitations on this access if the limitation is in the child/ren’s best interests.
Reduces Future Burdens on the Court
The agreed-on parenting plan will remain in place until the child becomes an adult. Children’s needs change as they age and mature, and the parenting plan will need to make provision for these changes.
While you can’t predict the future, it’s possible to include considerations that reduce the need for plan modifications while still meeting the child’s future needs. Parents can also decide how to handle future changes or disagreements.
Resolves Parental Responsibility Disputes
A crucial aspect of any parenting plan is ensuring that both parents understand their rights regarding parenting decisions and care. The parent with physical custody of the child has control over the day-to-day decisions as long as the child stays with them.
Provides Clarity for Basic Physical and Co-Parenting Issues
Co-parenting after a divorce can remain emotionally fraught, especially in contested divorces. The parenting plan lessens the burden on the child by providing rules on:
- Custody and visitation schedules
- The child’s physical address for every day of the year
- Detailed guidelines on exchanges, including transportation costs, contingency plans, and locations
- The terms and conditions of supervised visitation, if applicable
Critical Aspects of Parenting Plan Creation
The main portion of any permanent parenting plan in Georgia deals with child custody, both in terms of physical and legal custody. It also details visitation schedules, including transportation to and from the parent’s residences.
Other aspects of the parenting plan outline any limitations of access to records, such as the child’s education or health records, and any special considerations that the court needs to know.
Since the parenting plan needs to remain relevant over time, it can also set an agreement on how to modify the plan in the future. It must outline how both parties will handle any disagreements or plan modifications regarding the current plan and any future changes.
Contact Hobson & Hobson Today to Talk to
Experienced Lawyers in Marrieta, Georgia
Who Can Assist You With Developing a Parenting Plan
Working with a reputable Georgia family law firm can simplify the process of developing a Marietta parenting plan. A lawyer with experience in the local courts will understand how to help both parties work together to reach a mutually agreeable plan that will pass legal muster while still acting in the child’s best interests and representing each parent’s rights.
To learn more about developing a Marietta parenting plan, get in touch with our friendly team at Hobson & Hobson. Call (770) 284-6153 today.