Creating Parenting Plans that Work

The timely, cost-effective resolution of child custody and visitation conflicts calls for an attorney who is experienced in handling family law matters. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation and case evaluation with an attorney.

Child Custody and Visitation Lawyers in Tennessee

Are you facing divorce, have concerns regarding the custody of your child, or are worried about your visitation rights? At the Franklin, Tennessee, law firm of Brasfield & Milazo, P.C., we understand how important child-related issues are in divorce cases, and have helped hundreds of parents accomplish their full custody and visitation rights in instances of dissolution of marriage.

We combine decades of family law legal experience with seasoned litigation experience and skills. We have helped hundreds of parents obtain their full child custody and visitation rights through negotiation and mediation, as well as through courtroom litigation. For a no-charge consultation regarding your concerns, call 615-599-7719.

Thank you for contacting Brasfield & Milazo, P.C. Your message has been sent.

Call us now

or use the form below.

Don't pursue your child custody and visitation rights without experienced, diligent legal help. The attorney team at Brasfield & Milazo, P.C., has practiced family and divorce law in Franklin for a combined 20 years. For a free initial consultation, call 615-599-7719.

At the Franklin, Tennessee, law firm of Brasfield & Milazo, P.C., we can work effectively to accomplish your child custody and visitation goals both at the time of your divorce and later, through post-judgment modifications. Call 615-599-7719.

A parenting plan is an agreement between parents who are either divorced/divorcing or never married, and it outlines the custody of their children. It takes into account arrangements such as who has the children on which days; who makes major decisions about the children's education, health, etc.; and what to do if any party's situation significantly changes. Parents who agree on a parenting plan rather than let the court decide are more likely to comply with custody arrangements.

Sitting down with the spouse you are divorcing to work out a parenting plan may seem like the last thing you want to do, but this approach holds many advantages. You are the people who know your children best: their needs, their schedules and their preferences. By working together to create a parenting plan that satisfies the needs of your new family structure, you will avoid the possibility of a court's less nuanced solution. A court can only know what you tell it about your family's particularities, but you and your spouse are already exceptionally familiar with the territory. A family law attorney from Brasfield & Milazo, P.C. in Franklin, Tennessee, can help you create a plan that is right for you and your family.

Craft a parenting plan that is specific yet flexible. Create a workable system for dividing responsibilities so that the plan can function whether parents get along well or not. You can rotate primary responsibilities and decisions, or you can delegate specific areas to each parent. Be sure to include terms requiring each parent to treat the other with respect when the children can see or hear you. Determine a process for resolving conflicts and build in periods of review and adjustment — usually after the first year and then every two or three years thereafter.

The court will review your parenting plan to see that it fulfills the best interests of the children. Typically, courts go along with plans to which both parents have agreed.

Items That Should Be Included in Every Parenting Plan

Visitation/shared parenting schedules:

Use a regular calendar and a school calendar to plan for school breaks, holidays and summer vacations.
Define when holidays start and end.
Remember to include days like Mother's Day/Father's Day and birthdays.
Create a formula for anticipatable events that will work for the first one to two years of the plan's life.
Don't forget to include drop-off and pick-up times and locations.
See that both parents have access to medical records, school records, teachers and activities.
Make sure both parents have the right to make emergency medical decisions.

Child support payments:

Include what is covered by the payments and who gets any tax deductions.
Designate how payment will be made.
Make sure the paying party has adequate life insurance to cover support obligations in case of death.
Designate which parent is responsible for costs associated with the children's ongoing medical and dental insurance and related expenses.
Don't forget childcare, education and extra-curricular activity expenses and whether they will be paid directly to the provider.
Address how you will deal with delinquent payments.

Travel details and expenses when parents live far from each other:

Be specific if there are age-related travel concerns or other requirements.
State any restriction on domestic or international travel.

Changes and Notifications

Make plans for how you will handle adjustments:

Draft a set of rules for dealing with changes like special events or unanticipated business travel.
Set up a system that gives the other parent sufficient notice when long-term plans, address, telephone number or employment changes.
Include notice provisions for school activities, events and conferences.
Establish how notice will be given of new childcare providers, children's location during visitation and new relationships or people present during time with children.

And Don't Forget…

Parents can end up back in court when they fail to plan for the future. Make sure your parenting plan contains provisions that address:

Moves to different states.
Elective medical/dental procedures like orthodontics.
Impact of employment loss or disability.
Method and timeline for child support review.
College selection and expenses.
Adjusting visitation based on children's ages.

To ensure that you have adequately addressed all appropriate custody issues, review your parenting plan with an experienced family law attorney at Brasfield & Milazo, P.C. in Franklin, Tennessee.

DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.

Back to Main