When Connecticut parents get divorced, both they and their children face a period of adjustment. The full ramifications of this should be taken into consideration when creating a parenting plan. Parents should consider that children have never had to live in separate households before. Therefore, it is important to be sensitive to the emotional as well as the logistical hurdles that they may encounter when creating a custody or visitation arrangement.
If the child is old enough, he or she may be able to provide input into how the arrangement is crafted. Hearing a child’s concerns directly can make it easier for parents to take them into account. However, if the child is too young to articulate his or her needs or desires, the adults may need to do the best they can and make adjustments as necessary. Children who are in school may have activities that take place either throughout the year or on a seasonal basis.
These will need to be accounted for when determining who has the child and when. A child’s special needs should also be considered when creating a parenting plan as they may place limitations on custody or visitation options. When mapping out the future roles of each parent, the best interests of the child should always trump creating something that is convenient for the parents.
In a child custody case, the best interests of the child should be the top priority. An attorney may help parents work together to best provide for the needs of their offspring. In some cases, mediation may be an effective alternative to going to court.