On behalf of Hawthorne, Piggott & Company posted in family law on Monday, September 10, 2018.
A lot of co-parenting advice is aimed at parents following their final divorce, but how should children be approached during the process of separating and finalizing a split? This can be one of the most difficult periods for co-parenting, as emotions can be high and custody arrangements may not yet be finalized. Acting in the way that is best for the children and educating oneself about British Columbia family law is important for the co-parenting arrangements at every stage.
To start, parents will need a basic framework for who has the children when, as well as any restrictions about what can be done with the children. It is best to create a written parenting plan as soon as possible to clarify these things. This will include an agreement about when each parent will be with the child or children, how exchanges will happen and guidelines for communicating about parenting issues.
These initial parenting plans should be drafted with the involvement of two separate lawyers, one representing each party’s interests. It should also include written instructions for when and how the parenting plan can be changed. This is important, especially as children age.
During the early stages of co-parenting, it is particularly important to support each child’s relationship with the other parent. This can be very difficult when the negative feelings of divorce are raw. Support and therapy can sometimes help with creating healthy communication habits with the children and the ex alike. Independent legal support to clarify British Columbia family law standards is important when creating a parenting plan and for every other negotiation during a divorce.