Pembroke Pines Lawyer Discusses Parenting After a Divorce

Speak with a child custody attorney in Pembroke Pines, and he or she will tell you that the foundation for raising children after divorce is the best interests of the child or children. Unless there is a compelling reason for one parent not to be involved in raising children, the goal should be shared parenting and joint custody. Unlike in decades past, the parent with whom children live most of the time is not considered the "custodial parent." Though children may spend more time with one parent than the other, both parents should be invested in children's upbringing. Many factors go into creating a parenting plan.

Parenting Responsibilities Are Spelled Out

A parenting plan agreed upon by divorcing parents should minimize surprises down the road by spelling out specific parental responsibilities, including how children will spend time with both parents during the school year and during holidays and vacations. Working with a Pembroke Pines lawyer with experience in family law is the smartest way to ensure that your rights as a parent are protected, and that responsibilities for raising children are clear for both parents. Time sharing and child support should be clearly spelled out for both parents.

Shared Parenting and School-Aged Children

When children are school-aged, it is typically best when children's schedules are relatively consistent during school terms. If parents live in different school districts, children may live with one parent during school terms and spend the majority of their time with the other parent during vacations and holidays. A good parenting plan helps both parents and children know where children will spend time, and when. Rarely is it practical for children to spend exactly half their time with one parent and half with the other, but a good parenting plan allows both parents to participate significantly in children's upbringing.

The Importance of Continuing Parental Communication

A good parenting and time sharing plan is a good foundation for continuing communication between parents as children grow up. It isn't always easy to keep the lines of communication open between ex-spouses, particularly when situations arise like remarriage or relocating. However, working with a child custody attorney in Pembroke Pines can help you understand your rights and responsibilities regarding these issues and the possible changes that may occur as children grow up and parents continue with their lives.

Involvement of Both Parents Should Be the Norm

Florida law states that unless there is compelling reason otherwise, both parents should be involved in raising children, even if they are divorced. Child custody can be an emotionally charged issue, and that is one reason why it is important for both parents to have good legal counsel during divorce proceedings and with regard to shared parenting. An experienced family lawyer knows what to expect and can advise you with factual information, which can be very helpful if there are difficulties in working out a parenting plan. You are just as much a parent after a divorce as when you were married, and laws of the state of Florida want you to participate in your children's upbringing until they become adults themselves.