The California school year can be a hectic time for children and parents alike. If the parents are divorced, they may need to create a comprehensive parenting plan that adequately meets the needs of their child. Good planning allows the child to settle into a routine and better adjust to changes that follow a divorce. Depending on the needs of the child, it may be best to allow the child to stay with one parent on a full-time basis.
The other parent would be allowed to have visitation with the child on a predetermined basis, often one day a week and every other weekend. Whichever parent the child stays with regularly would be in charge of making sure that the child keeps up with schoolwork and communicates regularly with teachers. Another option would be to have a shared parenting plan. Under such an arrangement, each parent splits time with the child each week and on weekends.
While a child may get to see each parent more often under such a plan, it may be necessary to buy extra clothes and have extra school supplies handy. In the event that parents cannot agree on a plan on their own, a judge will make the decision for them. Although this is not the ideal scenario for anyone, a judge will take into account the best interest of the child when creating a visitation order.
After a divorcce, both parents may be entitled to visitation or custody of their child. An attorney may be able to review a case to determine what type of visitation or custody arrangement works best for a parent and is in the child’s best interest. Legal counsel may be able to assist an individual during mediation sessions or in court during a formal custody hearing
