Things to Consider When Creating a Long-Distance Parenting Plan
Most parents create a parenting plan after getting divorced or ending a relationship involving children. However, when one parent relocates to a different state or country for work-related or other reasons, adhering to a standard parenting plan or timesharing can be problematic.
For this reason, parents who have a significant distance between them opt for long-distance parenting plans. When creating a long-distance parenting plan, there are many things to consider. You may benefit from consulting with a knowledgeable child custody lawyer in Orlando who can help draft a viable parenting plan for your particular circumstances.
What to Consider When Developing a Long-Distance Parenting Plan
If you cannot find a middle ground with your spouse regarding a long-distance parenting plan, let a neutral mediator assist you and facilitate a conversation to overcome any disputed issues in your case.
Depending on your circumstances, you need to consider the following things when developing a long-distance parenting plan due to the relocation of a parent:
- How often the child would visit the relocating parent or vice versa;
- Who would pay for the child’s transportation to and from the relocated parent;
- Who would arrange the child’s travel and transportation;
- Where the parents would meet for the exchange;
- How many days in advance a parent must notify the other parent about the visit;
- How the custodial and non-custodial parent would split the holidays;
- How and when the relocated parent would communicate with the child;
- Whether the relocating parent would be able to communicate with the child virtually with the help of technology (texts, video calls, Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, etc.);
- How the relocating parent could make-up time if the child or the parent cannot communicate at the scheduled time;
- How the custodial parent would share information about the child’s life, education, healthcare, and other important aspects;
- Who would provide clothing, food, toys, and other items when the child visits the relocated parent; and
- Whether the custodial parent would be able to monitor communication between the relocated parent and their child.
These are only some of the things to consider when creating a long-distance parenting plan in Florida.
3 Factors That Will Affect Your Parenting Plan
When it comes to developing a long-distance parenting plan, the following factors will affect your arrangement:
- Age and maturity of your child. Obviously, the arrangement that works for a toddler may not be ideal for a 10-year-old child, which is why the age of your children has a tremendous impact on your parenting plan.
- Financial abilities. Since a long-distance parenting plan usually relies on communication and transportation between the non-custodial parent, custodial parent, and the child, parents need to consider the cost of travel when creating the plan.
- Communication. Parents have to keep their disagreements at bay if they want to develop a workable long-distance parenting plan. That is why communication, cooperation, and the ability to compromise are key to creating a good plan.
Regardless of whether you are trying to develop a long-distance parenting plan from scratch or need to modify the existing one, reach out to our knowledgeable Winter Park timesharing attorneys at Greater Orlando Family Law. Call at 407-377-6399 for a consultation.
