If you are in the process of separating from your child’s other parent, you may find yourself disagreeing about who gets the kids and when. The most important thing to remember is that your child’s wellbeing should always be your main priority throughout the process.
Who decides on the child custody arrangements?
Generally, if you and your ex can work out a parenting plan without the help of a judge, you are encouraged to do so. No one is better equipped to make decisions about your child than you and your child’s other parent. If you can agree on the terms of the agreement, you can submit your plan to the judge for review. If the judge finds that the terms are reasonable, he or she will sign off on the plan and it will become an order.
What should be discussed?
If you and your child’s other parent are working out a custody plan, you will have several issues to address. Here are some of the most common issues.
Scheduling
The primary issue is determining which parent the child will live with and when the child will see the other parent. Generally, Texas parents who agree on joint physical custody will share custody 50-50 or as close to that as possible. Therefore, the parents must generally live near each other. Possible joint custody arrangements include:
- Alternating weeks: The child will live with Parent A for one week, then live with Parent B for one week.
- 3-4-4-3: The child will live with Parent A for three days, Parent B for four days, Parent A for four days, and Parent B for three days.
- 2-2-5-5: The child will live with Parent A for two days, Parent B for two days, Parent A for five days, and Parent B for five days.
Transportation
You will have to address how you and your ex will transport your child between houses. Many parents with joint custody will agree to meet at a safe place between the two houses to do pickups/drop-offs.
Decision-making
In addition to physical custody, you and your ex will have to decide on legal custody, or decision-making responsibilities. If you decide on joint legal custody, you will both have a say in your child’s education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities.
Disputes
Even the best parenting plans cannot address every possible issue that will arise. Your parenting plan should address how you and your ex will resolve any conflicts that arise, as well as communication methods.
As you decide on custody, both you and your ex should put your personal feelings aside and focus on doing what is best for your child. If you are struggling to come up with a parenting plan that works for your family, consider consulting with a family law expert.
