When parents of minor children are involved in a divorce or custody dispute, they will have to come up with a mutually agreeable parenting plan and submit it to the court. Given the intense emotions that are often involved in family law issues, creating this type of plan might seem like an impossibility. But it's important to remember that you need to consciously put aside your differences in order to work for the best interests of the children. Below are a few more tips for creating a successful parenting plan.

Design a Realistic Schedule

This isn't the time to be petty or to try to consume all the free time with the kids just to get back at the other parent.  You should work together to come up with a realistic schedule that allows you both sufficient time to be with the children. Stick to the terms of any custody arrangements that were approved by the family law courts, and aim to be as fair and equitable as possible. For example, if you get the kids for the winter holidays, let the other parent have them for spring break. Cooperation is essential.

Plan Well Ahead

When sitting down to map out the parenting plan, have a calendar handy. There are bound to be certain dates where the usual schedule will need to be interrupted. If, for example, the father's weekend with the kids falls on Mother's Day, the mother might understandably want to be with the kids on that day. By plotting out certain dates like holidays and birthdays well ahead of time, potentially awkward situations can be caught in advance and an alternative plan devised. And, of course, you both should always be willing to compromise where necessary.

Decide How Expenses Are Handled

When you are making  decisions about child support, this is the time to have that conversation. How are expenses to be handled? Is everything split down the middle? Does one parent take responsibility for certain expenses, and the other parent responsibility for others? What happens if one parent has to unexpectedly cover costs that are usually handled by the other? How will you reimburse one another? These questions all need answers in your parenting plan.

Family law attorney Jeremy N. Weingast at Weingast Law will guide you and your ex through the process of crafting a parenting plan. For over 35 years, Attorney Weingast has been representing Hartford County, Connecticut, clients in family, criminal, and personal injury law cases. Call (860) 233-1440 or visit his website to make an appointment today.