Kentucky Divorce: How To Make A Parenting Plan

The divorce and custody experts at Paducah Divorce Lawyers think that loving and caring parents should be very involved in their children’s daily lives. If this isn’t the case, our team also works to protect children from dangerous situations like domestic violence, substance abuse, and neglect.

We can help you make a Parenting Plan or make changes to one you already have.

What is a ‘Parenting Plan’?

A “Parenting Plan,” also called a “custody arrangement,” is a document that sets out the schedule, living situation, and major decision-making processes for co-parenting a child. When a custody dispute comes up, the plan gives both parents the structure they need to stay on the same page (literally).

Before a divorce is finalized in the state of Kentucky, both parents must agree on and sign a Parenting Plan. This can be done by the parents on their own, with the help of the Superior Court of Kentucky’s mediation program, with the help of their lawyers, or with the help of a qualified mental health professional.

The courts will only agree to a plan if it is in the child’s best interest. If parents can’t agree on how to share care of their children, the courts will do it for them. This usually happens after a custody trial and after one or more mental health professionals have looked at the family.

What Should a Parenting Plan Include?

A full Parenting Plan must talk about:

• Physical and legal custody of the child
• Where the child lives most of the time Money for child support
• Schedules for regular, holiday, and vacation days for parents
• Health care and making decisions about health
• Each parent has rights and responsibilities.
• Other things to think about may include parental relocation, parents sharing information, interactions with new dates, college funding, dietary restrictions, religion, babysitting policies, services for people with special needs, etc.
• How to change the plan and settle future disagreements

Is A Parenting Plan Legally Binding?

No, not always. Even if both parents sign on the dotted line, a parenting plan is not law until it is filed with the courts and signed by a judge.

Can a Parenting Plan Change Overtime?

Yes. Changes in life may mean that the Parenting Plan needs to be updated. But the parent who wants to make a change must either work it out with the other parent or show the court that the change is in the child’s best interest.

Do We Really Need a Plan for Parenting?

Absolutely. In the state of Kentucky, a divorce can’t be finalized without a plan for how the kids will be raised.

A well-thought-out Parenting Plan is important for the success of a new family structure, even if it’s not required by law. Most parents don’t realize how many decisions they have to make every day until they look at a full parenting plan and see how big and detailed it is.

When divorced co-parents can’t agree on something, they can look at the agreement to see how they should act. It will save you time, money, and stress. If co-parents don’t have a parenting plan, it’s more likely that they will have to go to court to settle future disagreements.

Is an Attorney Needed to Make a Parenting Plan?

Technically, no, but when it comes to a custody agreement, no one should just “wing it.” There are a lot of moving parts in a parenting plan, and it is often the most emotional part of a divorce.

A good divorce lawyer can help you sort out the issues and give you advice and perspective when you need it. The phrase “best interest of the child” is not just a phrase; it has a legal meaning. A custody expert will make sure that your Parenting Plan meets all of the rules that the courts have set up.

Contact Paducah Divorce Lawyers, A McCracken County Family And Divorce Law Firm, For More Help.

Contact the family lawyers at Paducah Divorce Lawyers today if you need legal help. To make an appointment, you can come to our law office in McCracken County or call us at (270) 201-7776. to set up a free meeting with one of our team members.