Those who go through a divorce will be required to make an array of important decisions. For divorced parents, child custody is one of the main areas of concern. These days, joint custody is the most common arrangement for Kansas families. One important aspect of a joint custody arrangement is how the kids will spend time with each parent. Here are a few things co-parents may want to consider when making visitation schedules.
Ages of the children
The ages of the children will be a primary factor in visitation schedules. For example, infants and toddlers may need more frequent transitions so they can maintain a relationship with both parents as primary caregivers. Teenagers, however, often have more to manage outside the home such as sports, school-related projects and other extracurricular activities.
Co-parent relationships
The level of cooperation that co-parents can manage and maintain will also play a role in scheduling. Co-parents who have a good relationship and are willing to cooperate can likely make just about any schedule work. However, if tension exists between parents, the schedule may need to have some specificity and more detailed instructions.
Right of first refusal
It is often a good idea to detail which parent would have the right of first refusal. For example, what if one parent is unable to have the children on the agreed-upon days? Would the other parent have the option to take the children, or would the parents need to have child care in place for these instances?
These are just a few things to think about when co-parents in Kansas are creating their visitation schedules and parenting plans. Also, obtaining the services of a legal representative can be very helpful during this time. A knowledgeable and experienced family law attorney can answer questions and support parents as they make important decisions regarding custody and visitation.
