Like other parents throughout the country, many New Hampshire parents confronting a divorce proceeding are opting for a joint custody arrangement in which the parties split their time with the children as evenly as possible. This is not just for the children, but for the parents as well. Having that time with them can make the upcoming transitions less stressful and smoother. However, an important thing to remember is that the children will usually be the ones going back and forth, so how the parenting schedule is created requires careful consideration.
A primary concern is how the schedule could potentially complicate the children’s lives unnecessarily. Parents will want to devise a schedule that minimizes the disruption to the lives of their kids as much as possible. For instance, reviewing the needs of each child would be a good start.
Are the children involved in extracurricular activities? Do they have friends and other family close by? These and other questions need answers before solidifying a schedule. It would also be preferable for the parents to live as close to each other as possible if parenting time will be as equal as possible. While this parenting time arrangement benefits the whole family, it still needs to reflect the best interests of the children and provide continuity in their lives.
The more the attention to detail the parents pay to the schedule and the rest of the plan during negotiations, the better the chances are that the whole family will move through this challenging time into the future with ease. When the parenting schedule and the remainder of the plan are complete, it will still need to meet the approval of the court. For this reason, New Hampshire parents in this situation may want to consult with a family law attorney in order to make sure that any agreement they come to with the other parent protects their rights and the interests of the children.
