The Kids

When there are children, divorcing parents are responsible to act in the best interests of the children before, during, and after the divorce. They will have to agree on a parenting plan that defines parenting time and decision-making responsibilities associated with each child.  Parenting plans must be customized to the unique situation of your family and must at all times focus on the best interest of the children.

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If you are involved in divorce proceedings and are trying to develop a Parenting Time and Decision-Making Plan, call 1-888-341-5889 right now and speak directly to a Law Society of Ontario licensed lawyer who can assist you in crafting a plan that works best both for your children and for you.
The initial consultation is always FREE!
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The Key Elements of a Parenting Time and Decision Making Plan

PARENTING TIME
Parenting Time refers to the amount of time children will spend with one or the other of their divorced parents. There are two general classifications: Shared or Majority. Under a Shared parenting plan, the children must spend at least 40% of their time with each parent. Under a majority parenting plan, the children will be spending more than 60% of their time with one of their two parents.

DESIGNATED DECISION MAKER
As children grow older, various decisions have to be made on their behalf by one or the other or both parents. If one parent is designated the Sole Decision Maker, that parent is empowered to make parenting decisions without the need to involve the other parent. A Joint Decision Maker classification anticipates that both parents will be making parenting decisions together.

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The Decision-Making Plan must include decisions about:
1. The children’s well-being
2. Sports and other physical activities (dancing, Judo, etc.)
3. Emotional and mental health
4. Physical safety
5, Education (Public, Private, religious)
6. Religion
7. Schedule of parenting during school PD days, mid year holidays, summer vacations etc.
8. Family contacts – facilitating contacts with other family members on both sides.

 

The Decision-Making Plan must also include rules regarding:
1. Parental Relocation: Rules regarding the ability of one of the parents to move with the children outside the city, province, or country.
2. Plan changes: The process by which the plan can be changed and changes implemented
3. Parental exchanges, perhaps involving mutually acceptable third parties
4. Situations in which the Parenting Plan is ignored by one or the other parent.

 

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If you are involved in divorce proceedings and are trying to develop a Parenting Time and Decision-Making Plan, call 1-888-341-5889 right now and speak directly to a Law Society of Ontario licensed lawyer who can assist you in crafting a plan that works best both for your children and for you.

The initial consultation is always FREE!

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