What are some of the concepts you need to be familiar with when developing a parenting plan in a Louisville divorce? What is a parenting plan, and what is required to make it a strong, enforceable plan?
Any parenting plan discussion should begin with two important concepts. The best interests of the child are the primary focus of Kentucky Family Law, as well as any well-crafted parenting plan. Therefore, it’s reasonable for you and the parent with whom you will share custody to continue asking, “What is in the best interests of (your kid’s name)?”
The second thing to know is there is a legal presumption in Kentucky Family Law that regular, consistent contact and quality time with each co-parent is in the child’s best interest.
You will need to understand two additional concepts when developing a parenting plan in a Louisville divorce: “custody” and “parenting time (often referred to as visitation).” Custody is divided into two types: legal and physical. Legal custody involves the right to make important decisions regarding your child’s life, healthcare, education, and religious practices. Physical custody involves the right to have the child with you, pick up the child (i.e., from school), and have them stay in your home with you.
Parenting time is a schedule that establishes how each child will spend time with each of the parents during and after the divorce. This can be quite flexible when the Court is convinced both parents can work together cooperatively and maintain the proper balance. However, in most cases, there will need to be a written schedule that details how the child will move between each household, how the child will have equal quality time with each parent, and how the parents will divide important moments such as birthdays, holidays and even school and summer vacations.
Supervised visitation may be required when the Judge believes the emotional and physical safety of any child would be at risk if the child and a parent were alone together. This is often an issue in cases of domestic violence, criminal activity, or addiction, or when the Court is concerned a parent is likely to take the child out of the area, state, or country without the Court’s advance written permission.
You will need the sound advice and counsel of the experienced divorce and family law attorneys at Dodd & Dodd when developing a parenting plan in a Louisville divorce. 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.
