When you get a divorce and you have children, one of the most important parts of your divorce terms will include child custody. Dealing with dividing time with your children will be an emotional part of your divorce. What can make it even more difficult is if one parent decides they want to move a long distance away once the divorce is final. The following are some things you need to know if you or your spouse intends to move a long distance away and you have to make custody arrangements:
How Does Long Distance Impact Your Child Custody Arrangement?
One obvious way a long distance between two parents' homes impacts your custody arrangement is how often you each get to see your children. The distance also impacts your children. It can be a negative experience for many children. Not only do they now have to share time with each parent, but they also now have to travel long distances to see their other parent. This can be stressful for everyone, especially at the beginning. Over time, it can get easier as you all ease into a new routine.
Long distance will also mean that the children will likely spend much more time with one parent than the other. The parent who receives primary custody will be with the children more frequently than the other. Many long-distance situations mean one parent will only see the children at various times throughout the year rather than every week or so.
As you deal with long-distance co-parenting, you need to think about all the decisions that need to be made for the children and how they will be handled by each parent. For instance, you have to agree on where the children will go to school if they have to change schools because they have to move, how you will divide payment for extra-curricular activities, and so on. All of these important details will need to be included in your parenting plan.
How Can You Make Long Distance Parenting Easier?
First and foremost, you need a parenting plan that details how visitation and custody will be handled. Plan in advance when the children will travel to see the other parent. Work out who will have the children during school breaks and for how long. You both may have to switch off years when it comes to important holidays.
You also need to agree on travel arrangements for the children. If the long distance is within a day's drive, you need to determine which parent will make the drive, if you are going to meet halfway, or some other arrangement. If flights are needed to travel, decide which parent will pay for the flights.
You also need to work in electronic visitation when you make your parenting plan. Although one parent may not see their children in person, you should be able to connect with your children via phone, text, video chat, or some other method so parents and children can maintain regular contact.
For more info, contact a local child custody lawyer.
Share25 January 2023
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