What is a parenting arrangement or parenting plan?
What are our choices in terms of parenting arrangements (custody)?
What are the primary issues for consideration when establishing parenting arrangements (Custody and Visitation) in mediation?
How do I best help my children through this troubling time?
Q: What is a parenting arrangement or parenting plan?
A: Mediators often refer to your children’s custodial arrangement and visitation schedule as a “parenting arrangement” or “parenting plan.” These plans spell out the type of custody and the visitation schedules for the children as agreed to in mediation.
TOP
Q: What are our choices in terms custody?
A: In Virginia, the law recognizes the following custody arrangements:
Q: What are the primary factors for consideration when establishing parenting arrangements (custody and visitation) in mediation?
A: While issues vary from family to family, below are some key factors that parents may wish to consider. These same factors are often considered by judges, as per Virginia law, when they are making decisions about custody and visitation. The key factors for consideration are:
Q: How do I best help my children through this troubling time?
A: Below are some strategies for maintaining balance:
What are our choices in terms of parenting arrangements (custody)?
What are the primary issues for consideration when establishing parenting arrangements (Custody and Visitation) in mediation?
How do I best help my children through this troubling time?
Q: What is a parenting arrangement or parenting plan?
A: Mediators often refer to your children’s custodial arrangement and visitation schedule as a “parenting arrangement” or “parenting plan.” These plans spell out the type of custody and the visitation schedules for the children as agreed to in mediation.
TOP
Q: What are our choices in terms custody?
A: In Virginia, the law recognizes the following custody arrangements:
- Sole Custody: The custodial parent is entirely and legally responsible for the care of the children. The sole custodial parent does not have to consult with the other parent on decisions about the children. All parties are, however, entitled to certain information about the children's medical and academic well-being.
- Joint Legal Custody: Both parents have the legal responsibility for the care and control of their children and, in this arrangement, the parents have joint authority to make decisions about and for the children. The law does not define "decisions" very clearly, and coming to terms with what that means to the parents is very important in mediation. (eg. Major Decisions? Day-to-Day Decisions? What does that mean to you?)
- Joint Physical Custody: Both parents share the physical and custodial care of the children.
- Split Custody: A situation in which different children of the marriage live in different homes.
Q: What are the primary factors for consideration when establishing parenting arrangements (custody and visitation) in mediation?
A: While issues vary from family to family, below are some key factors that parents may wish to consider. These same factors are often considered by judges, as per Virginia law, when they are making decisions about custody and visitation. The key factors for consideration are:
- Which arrangement best promotes stability in the parent-child relationship?
- Which arrangement best accommodates the child's current stage of development and is there an appropriate amount of flexibility in the arrangement to accommodate the child's future gorwth and development?
- Is the arrangement realistic in terms of the parents' work schedules, the children's activity and academic schedules of the children and the individual needs of the children?
Q: How do I best help my children through this troubling time?
A: Below are some strategies for maintaining balance:
- Be a role model. Be positive. Look for opportunity. Show your children that conflicts can be resolved amicably.
- Allow and encourage your children’s relationship with the other parent.
- Give your children every reason available to feel hopeful, secure and unconditionally loved.
- Read books about the possible affects of divorce on children.
- Take a co-parenting class.
