What are the common elements of a strong child custody and visitation plan in Louisville? Are there things the potential co-parents can do to lessen the impact of a divorce on their child(ren)?
Key Takeaways Regarding a Strong Child Custody and Visitation Plan in Louisville
- One of the most essential principles in Kentucky Family Law is “the best interests of the child.” A strong child custody and visitation plan in Louisville reflects the best interests of each child.
- Kentucky family law establishes a rebuttable presumption that it is in the best interests of a child to spend an equal amount of time in the households of both parents. It is also vital to make sure each child can maintain communication with the “other” parent when they are not residing in that home.
- Consider each child’s existing schedule. What is the best possible way to maintain that balance, and to preserve, as much as possible, the existing patterns and rhythms in each child’s life?
There are elements in any strong child custody and visitation plan in Louisville. Focus on the choices you can make as a parent to lessen the impact of the divorce on your child(ren) while maintaining, as much as possible, the existing patterns and rhythms in each child’s life. Start every conversation topic, every point of negotiation with the central child custody principle of Kentucky Family Law: the best interest(s) of the child. The first question a Louisville family Court will ask is the same one each parent should raise: “What is in the best interests of (child’s name)? It is a rebuttable presumption under Kentucky family law that it is in the best interests of each child to spend roughly equal quality time with each of their parents, during and after a divorce. Therefore, a 50/50 split of time between households is a natural starting point for any strong child custody and visitation plan in Louisville.
Some of the other essential elements of a strong child custody and visitation plan in Louisville to be considered and discussed include, but are not limited to:
Open and consistent communication, as well as access to each parent. Our Courts want each child to have regular access to effective communication, such as testing, cell phone calls, video chats, or even email. Many studies have shown that children of divorce adjust better and are in a stronger position to manage feelings of abandonment, rejection, and even sadness and depression during and after a divorce when there are consistent, effective communications between each child and parent. This is especially true during the initial phases of the divorce, as well as in the months following the announcement of the parents’ intentions to the child(ren) and the resulting separation.
Preserve, as much as possible, the existing patterns and rhythms in each child’s life. To ensure you have the best possible opportunity to protect your parenting goals, it is essential to map out each portion of every day in each of your children’s lives. What is your role at any given moment? The more active you are as a parent in every aspect of your child(ren)’s lives, the more likely it is that you will have equal opportunity to continue to be so. Pay close attention to existing patterns and schedules, and think about the best ways in which to preserve each child’s “status quo.” If possible, it is in the best interests of each child to stay in the same school, maintain their existing activities and circle of friends, as well as access to extended family.
Develop a plan (in advance) for how disagreements between the parents about raising each child, now and in the future, will be managed. Any parent who speaks poorly of the child’s other parent, or worse, actively seeks to disrupt the relationship between their child(ren) and the other parent (referred to as “parental alienation”) will face harsh sanctions by the Court. These actions can limit or eliminate the parenting rights of any parent who interferes with the child’s healthy relationship with their former spouse. This is why it is essential to have a detailed plan in place to manage any issues that may arise with shared parenting of a child, including matters of health, education, religious practices, holidays, birthdays, and extracurricular activities. If possible, consider how and when new parties will be introduced to the child as each parent moves forward with their lives. When is it appropriate to introduce a new dating partner, and how will mutual attendance at each child’s functions and activities be managed in the presence of a new parental relationship?
There are many common elements of a strong child custody and visitation plan in Louisville, and the experienced divorce and family law attorneys at Dodd & Dodd can help you work through these issues and develop a plan that will be in the best interests of the child while providing the best opportunity to limit the impact of the divorce on their life.
We invite you to review the strong recommendations of our former clients and the legal industry and contact Dodd & Dodd or call 502-584-1108 to schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys.
