Many people consider an effective child custody agreement is the most important document in a divorce proceeding. Unlike property settlement agreements, this document impacts young lives directly on a daily basis for years. From his offices in Rochester, NY, Thomas A. Corletta, Attorney at Law, an experienced divorce attorney, shares tips on developing a successful child custody plan.

Divorce Attorney’s Tips on Creating a Successful Child Custody Agreement

1. Remember It’s Not About You

Courts place the best interests of the child as their top priority when deciding child custody cases. Put your plan together by focusing first on your child’s well-being. It may mean interacting with your ex-spouse more than you’d like, but your children will benefit in the long run. Talk to an experienced family law attorney to formulate a plan in compliance with applicable law that suits the child’s best interests, and maintains contact with both parents.

2. Keep Communication Lines Open

You and your spouse share a child, even if you no longer share a life together. Reasonable communication is essential for effective co-parenting. With today’s technology, sending emails and texts via smartphones let you discuss matters concerning your child while avoiding contentious one-on-one confrontation. Still, co-parenting cannot be accomplished solely by text and email. You will have to have contact with your ex for important events in the child's life, and it is important that you exhibit a degree of cooperation with your ex. Children pick up on conflict and important occasions can often become stressful if parents cannot get along. Parents need to be mature and set an example for their children.

3. Create Age-Appropriate Arrangements

Make plans according to your child’s age, interests, and personality. Sports, music, arts, and social events with friends may be part of the mix, and both parents may need to adjust their schedules to maintain continuity. As you child gets older, expect their interests and schedules to change, and with that, you must also change. Divorce attorneys recommend that both parents remember that they must be flexible and cooperative when drafting such agreements, and work together to make their children’s lives as normal as possible.

For more than 38 years, Thomas A. Corletta, Attorney at Law, a dedicated family law attorney, has represented parents in drafting effective child custody agreements. This compassionate divorce attorney offers professional service and wise counsel, skillfully guiding his clients through difficult times. To see what previous clients have said about his work, visit his website now. Call (585) 546-5072 to schedule an initial consultation.