Almost every matter involved in divorce requires negotiation, including a custody schedule. If you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse have children, negotiating a custody schedule ensures you agree on what’s best for them while protecting your parental rights.
Here are four tips to help you negotiate a custody schedule:
1. Learn more about popular schedules
Before sitting down with your co-parent, you need to prepare. Get more information about the popular schedules to have an idea that can guide you when creating yours. Examples of popular schedules are:
- Alternating weeks (children spend one week with each parent)
- Weeks vs. weekends (children live with one parent during the week and spend the weekends with the other)
- Alternating weekends with a weekday visit (the noncustodial parent is with the children every other weekend and one day during the week)
- 2-2-3 (the children live with one parent for two days, spend the next two days with the other parent and then return to the first parent for three days), etc.
After exploring different schedules, you can pick one or customize yours considering the provisions of your parenting plan, your and the other parent’s work schedule and your children’s school schedule.
Have visuals
Having visuals can help you when explaining the custody schedule you are suggesting. On a calendar, mark the days your children will be with you and the other parent with different colors.
Listen to the other parent
You should listen attentively to the other parent when they are explaining their proposed custody schedule or voicing concerns about yours. Criticizing their plan or interrupting them when speaking can result in misunderstandings.
Be ready to compromise
Even though you may have created a custody schedule you believe is fair and practical, be ready to compromise without jeopardizing your parental rights.
Discussing a custody schedule can be easier with the tips discussed above. You should also consider legal guidance to validate your agreements.