Whether you’re collaborating with your spouse or having child custody issues settled by a court, Texas law requires you to create a parenting plan. These documents are designed to minimize legal disputes and clearly describe the rights and responsibilities of each parent, as well as promote the best interests of the children. If you’re going through a divorce, understanding parenting plans is essential for achieving the most favorable custody arrangement possible.

What You Should Know About Texas Parenting Plans

What Is a Parenting Plan?

A parenting plan details each parents’ rights to their children, who will fill which roles, and who maintains legal custody. For instance, the document might spell out how the children will spend each holiday and which parent will take them to the doctor. Most importantly, these plans give parents tools for resolving future problems without going back to court.

What Should Your Parenting Plan Include?

Texas law requires parenting plans to include a child custody arrangement detailing when the child will spend time with each parent, and any child support that is warranted. Before issuing a decision, the court will evaluate whether the plan facilitates the development of a healthy long-term relationship with each parent.

How an Attorney Can Help

If you and your spouse work out a custody arrangement yourselves, you may submit a single parenting plan to the court for approval. In more contentious separations, each party may offer their parenting plan to the judge. An attorney helps ensure that each party’s rights are respected, negotiates with the other party, and crafts a parenting plan that the court is more likely to accept.

When you need justice, Ronald D. Zipp Attorney at Law will fight to protect your rights and those of your family. With their extensive family law experience, their attorneys have helped families throughout New Braunfels, TX, resolve difficult custody battles and achieve their goals. Visit their website for more information on their family law services, follow their Facebook for more tips and advice, or call (830) 629-5600 to consult with a child custody lawyer today.