Custody Modifications Are Possible For The Right Reasons

Washington parents who are no longer together may find themselves struggling over parenting time. It is common for parents to make minor adjustments when custody schedules conflict, but seeking more comprehensive or long-term custody modifications may require a court order. The courts seek the best interests of the children in these cases, so it is important for parents pursuing such modifications to present valid and supported reasons for making such a serious request.

A parent who suspects a child is in danger when spending time with the other parent may have to present evidence of domestic abuse or other dangerous situations when asking the court to restrict visitation. The child’s unwillingness to go with the other parent is a start, but it may not be enough. Additionally, if the other parent refuses to comply with the existing custody order, there may be cause for seeking a modification. A parent who will not cooperate or communicate with a co-parent risks the court’s intervention and possibly custody restrictions.

Certain circumstances may leave a parent little choice but to seek the court’s approval for a revision in custody orders. For example, a parent who must relocate may be unable to maintain custody or visitation as it stands and may require adjustments for longer, less frequent visits. Similarly, a noncustodial parent may be unable to assume full custody if the custodial parent should die. This may require the court to place the children with a third party.

Each circumstance is unique, so there are no uniform answers. When a parent feels a custody order does not benefit the child or the family, the parent may have questions about how to proceed with custody modifications. An attorney who is well experienced with Washington family law may be of great assistance.

Do You Need An Expert Witness In Your Divorce Trial?

You may need an expert’s testimony to set the record straight during your divorce proceedings. Even if you decide to settle out of court, an expert can provide invaluable information to help you obtain a more favorable outcome.

These experts can shed light on any number of topics from financial investigations, child custody issues or simple asset valuation. Their opinions can have a significant impact on a judge’s opinion or help both legal teams settle on crucial aspects of your case.

Who hires an expert witness and why?

Either party can hire an expert witness. However, who pays for the expert’s professional time and expenses could be up to a judge or your final settlement based on the nature of their testimony.

For example, if you hire an expert to evaluate your mutual child’s psychological health, or appraise the value of your joint property, and both parties agree with their findings, you might come to an agreement that you will pay some or most of their expenses.

Expert witnesses often provide their highly skilled experience in one of the following:

• Business appraisal
• Property appraisal
• Financial investigation
• Counseling or psychological therapies
• Other medical opinions

If you or your spouse owns a business, or you suspect that they are hiding assets, an expert in these matters can help you get to the bottom of the truth.

Are there cons to hiring an expert witness?

The person whose testimony and services you request are specialized for a reason. They deserve compensation for taking time out of their busy personal and professional lives to give written or oral testimony for your case. You will need to pay them every day they are present for court, whether they testify on the stand that day or not.

If your assets could be worth far less than you anticipated, then you and your spouse should seriously consider the costs of hiring an expert appraiser. Consider your legal options carefully.

Ironing Out Vacation Details In Parenting Plans

Packing up the bags, getting the kids ready and heading off for a vacation are what many families look forward to. It can be a little harder to orchestrate when parents in Seattle are separated or divorced. These are the kinds of issues that can be ironed out and reflected in well-rounded parenting plans since all things that affect children need to be spelled out, including vacation time.

Vacation time is one of the things many divorced parents really don’t think about. But agreeing on the particulars about who the children will be with when during vacation times will eliminate a lot of stress not only for the parents, but for the kids as well. Children need structure in their lives and when they know how their vacation schedules will look, they may be more able to adapt and enjoy themselves on family outings.

Being specific about holidays is important. These kinds of issues are more difficult to deal with if not spelled out in full. It’s harder to get things organized at the 11th hour if it’s unclear who the kids will be with for vacations, and that includes times like Christmas and other holidays. Summer vacation time should also be addressed.

A Seattle lawyer can help clients to fashion parenting plans that fit their particular lifestyles. A lawyer will always have the best interests of children in mind when assisting a client in this regard. A lawyer will review each client’s particular situation and help him or her to iron out vacation details in a well-rounded plan.

Pets Are An Emotional Factor In Property Division

During divorce proceedings, it is natural for couples to disagree over how to divide their marital property. Furniture, real estate, retirement funds and other assets may become a battleground if the couple cannot resolve the matter out of court. However, one area of property division that often has as much emotional trauma as child custody is how to divide the ownership of the family pet.

Washington does not have pet custody laws when it comes to divorce, although a few states have moved in that direction. In a divorce, pets are considered property, which means the courts treat them according to their monetary value even though the owners may have a deep emotional attachment. It is not unusual for a couple to spend a great deal of money in litigation against each other to obtain the pet during property division.

More courts across the country are beginning to see the emotional value of pets. A judge may include the pet as part of child custody arrangements or order a custody schedule if the couple has no child. However, not every judge is willing to put that much time into a decision over a pet and may instead order the animal to be sold if the parties can’t reach their own agreement.

Those pet owners going through divorce must understand how complicated matters can be if their spouses decide to fight them for the animal during property division. If they cannot reach a decision together, they may be at the mercy of a painful court order. Fighting for one’s rights is challenging during every phase of 

Bezos’ Divorce Biggest Financial Stakes Divorce In History

Jeff Bezos and his soon-to-be former wife, MacKenzie, are about to go down in the history books. Besides being the creator of the wildly successful Amazon, Bezos will give a 4 percent stake in the company to MacKenzie as part of their impending divorce settlement. Divorcing Washington couples will likely never have to contend with such high-stakes financial scenarios. To put it into perspective, the settlement is worth $35 billion, which makes it the largest divorce settlement in history.

The couple first met while they were both employed at the same hedge fund company. Bezos’ wife helped him to get Amazon up and running. It made its start out of their garage. The couple recently announced the particulars of their divorce, which will be final this summer. Jeff will keep the company, Blue Origin, and will retain complete ownership of the Washington Post.

The couple announced their separation this past January. The pair maintain that the split has been amicable. The divorce settlement will make MacKenzie Bezos the third richest woman on the planet.  

No matter what is financially at stake in a divorce, a Washington lawyer will be able to help his or her client to work out a divorce settlement with a former partner. When terminating a marriage, there are many legal aspects that must be addressed, and finances are just a part of the picture. If minor children are involved, an attorney can help to set terms for child custody and child support as well as for spousal support.

Child Support Modifications Can Relieve Burden

Even plans carefully made and agreed upon by all parties may not stand the test of time. This may be especially true when it comes to divorce agreements and child custody arrangements. Life has a way of interfering with the best laid plans, and a Washington parent may find he or she is no longer able to meet these obligations. Seeking child support modifications may be an option in these situations.

Parents who are ordered to pay child support may find their circumstances changed for the worse. For example, a job loss, medical crisis or other financial setback may make it difficult if not impossible to meet the court-ordered child support obligation. Parents in this situation are advised to make every effort to comply with the court order by sending as much money as possible and not missing deadlines. It may be possible to negotiate a temporary change with the other parent, but having the courts involved as quickly as possible can provide protection from negative consequences.

Waiting too long to file for a modification and failing to make appropriate payments may lead to an accumulation of debt that can be difficult to overcome. The court will require thorough documentation of a parent’s efforts to comply with child support orders and evidence of the life changes that prevent this compliance. A parent requesting a change in support orders may still meet with resistance if the other parent objects to the modification.

When life circumstances create a difficult financial situation for a Washington parent, child support modifications may be in order. Courts are reluctant to grant such changes without good reasons. Therefore, it may be in a parent’s best interest to seek the advocacy of a family law attorney.

Understanding Parenting Plans In Washington Divorces

Going through a divorce can be difficult, especially when children are involved. Like most other states, Washington offers joint custody as an option for divorcing parents; however, the state’s laws do not use the specific terms of custody or visitation and instead use the term parenting plans to refer to any agreements parents may devise for how to deal with their shared children. The following provides some insight on what these plans can and should entail.

First, parenting plans should list where and with whom the child will reside the majority of the time. The plan should also address how the parents will make certain decisions about the child, such as medical care and other issues. Additionally, a plan should address how the parents will resolve any future issues regarding the care and up-bringing of their children.

In all cases, the court will make determinations based on the best interests of the child. Before approving a parenting plan, a judge will take into consideration the child’s relationship with both parents as well as the parents’ abilities to provide for the child emotionally and financially. Other factors that a judge will look at are whether a parent will remain involved in the child’s life and help make good judgments regarding important aspects of the child’s life, such as education.

In the best circumstances, Washington parents going through a divorce would be able to work together and devise parenting plans with little or no contention. However, this is not always the case, which is why family court judges hold the authority to make the final determination. As such, each parent would do well to retain the services of a family law attorney to help guide him or her through the process and reach a viable plan that will serve all involved for years to come.

Legal Separation Or Divorce?

It is not uncommon for a couple to decide their marriage is essentially over. However, it is not always easy to take the leap into divorce. Spouses may decide to separate instead of formally dissolving their marriage. For those in Washington considering this option, it is important to understand the laws and implications of such a choice.

While living together may be too painful, a couple may have good reason for not ending the marriage legally. For example, once spouse may depend on their other’s health insurance. They may not be eligible for certain Social Security benefits unless they are legally married 10 years or more, so they remain married but separated. Remaining married also offers the potential for tax breaks single people do not get. Finally, some couples may have the hope of reconciling and are reluctant to divorce.

Nevertheless, legal separation is similar to divorce in a number of ways. Spouses typically divide their property, determine child custody, and often pay child or spousal support during a separation just as in a divorce. However, a spouse may not remarry while legally separated, and any debt one spouse incurs during the separation may be the responsibility of both spouses.

Legal separation has its benefits, but it is critical that Washington couples have as much information as possible before taking this step. An attorney can assist a spouse who has questions or concerns about what to expect from a legal separation. If one spouse should decide to convert the separation to divorce, legal advice can make the transition less stressful.

Many States Becoming Supportive Of Shared Parenting Plans

Going through a divorce can be a traumatic experience for Washington couples and others around the nation, particularly if they have children. Determining who will get custody and deciding upon parenting plans can be quite contentious. Many family experts have been advocating a move from traditional custody arrangements. In agreement with this shift in philosophy, another state has recently gotten behind an effort to recommend shared parenting.

Traditionally, judges tended to grant physical custody to mothers. In these arrangements, fathers would have parenting time with their children only on some weekends and selected holidays. However, studies have shown that children benefit from having both parents actively involved in their lives.

Proponents of this arrangement contend that it is in the best interest of the children. The kids perform better in school and exhibit fewer behaviors that could result in delinquencies, crimes or additional problems. Conversely, those that oppose it frequently cite the financial aspects of the scenario. Shared parenting may be more expensive to parents since they will each have the responsibility of half the children’s expenses. Therefore, those against a shared plan claim that it may be an attempt for a parent to avoid making child support payments.

Parenting plans are just one of the many issues that must be resolved when a Washington couple gets a divorce. An experienced attorney can assist an individual throughout every phase of the complexities of the divorce process to ensure that his or her interests are protected. A knowledgeable lawyer will strive to achieve the best possible outcome in the proceedings.

How To Deal With The Emotions Of Divorce

The end of a marriage can be an incredibly difficult and emotionally painful thing to experience. Going through a divorce is often very similar to experiencing the death of a loved one. Feelings of grief, sadness and depression are common during this time and may feel impossible to escape. The following tips may be helpful for those in Washington who find themselves going through a divorce.

In order to get over these feelings, they must be faced. It can be uncomfortable and tough, but confronting emotional pain instead of repressing it will help in the long run. It can extremely helpful to lean on family or close friends for support during this time. Joining a divorce support group and connecting with others who are going through the same thing can be comforting and ease feelings of isolation.

Creatively expressing grief can be incredibly healing as well. Ways to do this could be to write in a daily journal, paint a picture displaying grief or even write a eulogy for the marriage to help with closure. Grief can also take a toll on a person physically. Keeping a healthy diet, hydrating and getting plenty of sleep are extremely important during this time.

Learning how to cope with grief and other painful emotions can allow for a new life to begin. For those in Washington considering divorce, the most important piece of advice is to consult a legal representative. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney can answer difficult questions and provide guidance for individuals going through this difficult and emotional experience.

Age Is A Determining Factor In Creating Parenting Plans

Divorce is not an easy choice to make and can be further complicated when children are involved. While a couple may arrive at the conclusion that they can no longer function as a married couple, typically they both share great concern for the continued well-being of their children. Coming up with successful parenting plans to be put in place following a divorce in Washington can go a long way to ensuring a successful outcome for all involved.

The ages of children at the time of a divorce will have a significant impact on the form that a successful plan should take. Children have different needs and, depending on their ages, react differently to parental separation. While keeping those needs in mind, it is also important to remember that a child needs both parents.

Babies may present the biggest challenge as the mother is typically the primary caregiver but a baby also needs significant time with the father to cement that relationship. Babies also like routine and an interruption can be upsetting. As children approach school age it may become a little bit easier to manage as schedules become settled with school activities. Teens can present the greatest challenge as this is a time in their lives where school activities and friends take a larger portion of their time and they are attempting to develop their own independent lives.

Regardless of the age of one’s children, both parents typically share concern for their children’s well-being in the aftermath of a divorce. Cooperation between the parents and the guidance of a family law attorney can aid in the creation of successful parenting plans in Washington. A successful plan should instill a sense of security and stability, regardless of the children’s ages.

Avoiding Property Division Mistakes

Few things are more challenging than separating two lives in a divorce. A Washington couple who has been together for any length of time certainly has financial and legal matters in common, and the process of dissolving a marriage focuses on these entanglements. Spouses can take certain steps to make property division go more smoothly, especially if they are willing to compromise. However, there are also mistakes a spouse can make that may result in a post-divorce full of struggle.

Demonstrating to the court one’s joint and separate worth involves documentation and paperwork. A spouse who neglects to gather and organize the appropriate information may have difficulty obtaining a fair share of joint assets. This documentation includes all information related to bank accounts and investments, an accurate picture of the spouse’s income and papers describing property ownership and maintenance.

Understanding the tax ramifications of divorce is something many spouses overlook. For example, the laws related to alimony recently changed, and the sale of the family home may also have tax implications that must be considered for a fair division of assets. It is critical to know if tax penalties exist for withdrawing money from some retirement funds for the purpose of splitting the accounts.

Divorcing spouses in Washington must be careful to protect their credit by closing joint accounts. They can also find other ways to avoid overspending on a divorce by seeking alternatives to litigation, such as mediation. Seeking the advice of individual counsel can improve the chances of obtaining a full and fair share of assets during property division.

Making Parenting Plans Work in Difficult Situations

One of the most complex issues in any divorce is determining what will happen to the children and how custody will work. Child custody is an emotional and difficult subject, and it does not necessarily get easier simply because the divorce process is final. In fact, ongoing animosity between parents can make it difficult for those who have to co-parent and abide by the terms of parenting plans.

Co-parenting is not easy, especially when one parent is being difficult. However, there are certain steps a Washington parent can take to make this process work more smoothly and reduce the chance of the children experiencing upheaval. One thing that can help is to recognize that a parent cannot control everything, including how the other parent acts and responds.

It may also help to set emotional boundaries. This can mean waiting to respond, refusing to engage in petty arguments and sticking to the terms of the parenting plan as much as possible. If a parent is being aggressive, hostile and is refusing to stick to the terms of a custody plan, the other parent may have legal options available. It is prudent to carefully document the inappropriate behavior of the other parents.

Washington parents may not always find it easy to abide by the terms of parenting plans, but they do not have to navigate these difficult situations on their own. In some cases, it may be beneficial to seek legal help to resolve ongoing custody issues. A complete evaluation of the case can determine how a parent should proceed.

Common Reasons Why Couples Divorce

Couples in Washington may be encouraged to know that the rate of marriage breakups has fallen over the past few years. However, analysts continue to study the reasons why couples divorce. When asked about the factors that led to their divorce in a recent poll, 75 percent cited that one or the other spouse was not fully committed to the marriage. That lack of commitment may have contributed to the immediate causes of their breakups.

More than half of divorced couples admitted that infidelity and lack of communication eroded their relationships. While more couples are waiting until their late twenties or thirties to marry, those who marry younger may have a greater chance of divorce. Perhaps some of these couples could avoid serious conflict if they had more family support and counseling about how marriage works. In fact, many couples polled mentioned that they lacked conflict resolution skills that are essential to a successful marriage.

Personal issues like substance abuse and religious differences are also common factors in the high divorce rate. Domestic violence was a factor in nearly one quarter of the divorced individuals polled. This is not limited to physical abuse but also emotional abuse. Often, the abuse in a relationship went in cycles that escalated over time.

While each couple has its own difficulties, some find it more difficult to overcome the most common struggles, such as financial troubles and prolonged illness. When a Washington couple determines it is time to end the marriage, there are many factors to consider, including child custody and financial issues. Seeking the assistance of a family law attorney is often a wise step to obtaining a fair divorce settlement.

Washington Among the 10 Most Expensive States for Child Care

On Behalf of The Law Office of Stacy D. Heard, PLLC | Jan 30, 2019 | custody and support modifications

Raising kids can get very expensive. Among the costs that can get particularly high are those related to child care. This appears to especially be the case here in Washington state. That is what recent rankings suggest.

The rankings came from a recent CNBC article. The article contained a top 10 list for the most expensive states for child care, based on the costs of center-based care for infants and preschoolers.

Washington was on this list, coming in at No. 8. The article noted that the average annual cost of center-based care in the state is:

• $14,208 for infants
• $10,788 for four-year-olds

High child care costs can put significant financial strains on parents. This can particularly be the case for single parents. According to the article, this is how big of a portion of the median single parent income would be taken up by the average cost of center-based child care here in Washington:

• For infant care: Over half
• For four-year-old care: Around 40 percent

Single parents here in Washington can face financial challenges in meeting the various costs, including child care expenses, related to raising their children. Child support can be an important source of help for such parents in meeting these challenges. Given how big of a portion child care expenses can make up of the costs related to raising a child, it can be critical for such expenses to properly be taken into account in proceedings and negotiations related to the formation or adjustment of child support arrangements.

Miguel Cabrera Ordered To Pay Child Support And More

Many Washington married couples encounter relationship problems when one or the other spouse engages in an extramarital affair. Some situations result in divorce while other spouses decide to work out their problems and keep their marriages intact. That was the ultimate choice Major League Baseball first baseman Miguel Cabrera’s wife made after learning her husband had been unfaithful to her. While Cabrera was no doubt happy that his wife decided to stay married to him, his problems had only just begun because his ex-mistress decided to sue him for child support to provide for the two children she had during the affair.

The woman filed a paternity lawsuit against Cabrera and it proved that he was indeed the father of her two children. She requested $100,000 per month in child support from the man who is one of the highest paid professional baseball players in the nation. The woman’s attorney told the court that his client was just trying to protect her children’s interests as their father set them up in a particular lifestyle then pulled the rug out from underneath them when he decided to end the affair and stay with his current wife.

A long, drawn-out court battle ensued. Cabrera accused his ex-mistress of trying to extort money from him by threatening to go public with their affair. He said he was and always has been willing to pay child support for his children but reduced the amount of money he had been sending because he felt his children’s mother was simply trying to take financial advantage of the situation.

The judge overseeing the woman’s paternity lawsuit, however, ruled that Cabrera not only must pay $20,000 per month in child support, he also has to cover the cost of the million-dollar home he bought for his mistress at the time. In addition, he must also provide his children from his ex-mistress with regular perks similar to those he gives his kids that live with him and his wife, such as annual passes to a Disney theme park. An experienced Washington family law attorney can provide guidance and support to any concerned parent facing similarly complicated child support problems in this state.

Lessons To Learn From Jeff Bezos’ Divorce

Jeff Bezos, among others, would likely tell you that he wished he would have signed a prenuptial agreement. Bezos, the chairman and CEO of Amazon, recently announced that him and his wife, MacKenzie, were splitting after 25 years of marriage. Unfortunately, $137 billion dollars is now on the line and likely to be divided in half.

Because Amazon was started one year after the couple was married, CNBC reports that MacKenzie could be entitled to over $65 billion dollars. While a recent article suggests that she will likely not want to split the assets– so they continue growing– most divorcing spouses are not that amicable.

Whether you are getting married or have been married for years, you should consider signing a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement to protect your assets in the event of a divorce.

Prenuptial agreements

Prenuptial agreements no longer have the stigma they did in the past. In fact, CNBC found that more than half of divorce attorneys report to receiving more requests for prenuptial agreements in the past few years than ever before.

Americans are aware of how prevalent divorces have become. Sadly, many people have witnessed the devastating outcomes for couples who never signed a prenuptial agreement and were involved in a highly-contested divorce. While no engaged couple hopes to get divorced, prenuptial agreements can help protect your assets in the event you and your partner decide to part ways in the future.

Postnuptial agreements

Similarly, data suggests postnuptial agreements are also on the rise. A postnuptial agreement provides all the same protections associated with a prenuptial agreement, except a couple signs it after they are already married.

Both postnuptial and prenuptial agreements help determine which assets should remain separate and which assets to consider as “marital property” that can be divided. Unfortunately, for Jeff Bezos, all the assets from Amazon will be considered marital property because the couple never signed a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement after the company was started.

Divorces can be highly complex, especially if there are substantial assets involved. Consult with an experienced family law attorney to learn more about the benefits of a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.

Understanding Community Property Division Laws In Washington

Divorcing couples are often concerned about the future. In addition to the many emotional components of a divorce, the very practical elements, such as post-divorce finances, may play a role in the level of confidence a spouse may feel about his or her decisions. While it is common for those who divorce to struggle for a time after losing each other’s income, this risk may be minimized if property division issues are handled correctly.

Washington laws consider nearly all assets a couple acquires during marriage to be community property. That includes both incomes, anything either spouse purchases with joint funds, and the interest or appreciation of investments or businesses. Without a prenuptial agreement, these and other assets will be split equally between the spouses during the property division phase of the divorce.

A spouse may claim as separate property any gifts he or she received individually during the marriage and any assets owned before the wedding. Community property also exempts inheritances that one spouse receives. However, if the spouse commingles any separate assets with community assets, such as using an inheritance to renovate a family home or depositing a monetary gift into a joint bank account, those assets become community property.

Even if a marriage lasts a short time, it may be difficult to determine which assets are individual and which are community property. When disputes arise, it may place one spouse at risk of losing his or her rights to certain assets. For the best chances of obtaining a fair and complete property division, many in Washington seek the experience of a family law attorney.

Bezos Divorce May Take A Preordained Path Agreed To By The Couple

The richest couple in the world are getting a divorce. They are residents of Washington state and after getting married 25 years ago, they launched a startup called Amazon. Jeff Bezos announced by a tweet on Jan. 9 that he and wife MacKenzie are getting a divorce but will remain a family and will always be “cherished friends.” They have four children.

The emphasis on remaining a family is a wise characterization that indicates continuity and, as such, will assist in minimizing the trauma to the children. Details on the custodial arrangements and financial support of any minor children were not revealed. With respect to property division, it is notable that Washington is a community property state, which means that all property acquired during the marriage is presumed to be owned on an equal basis.

Knowledgeable observers indicate that the couple does not have a prenuptial agreement. That may be considered a mistake from the husband’s perspective under these circumstances, but where a couple does not choose to have a prenup, that is their choice and not one that needs to be second-guessed. Generally, the prenup is an enforceable contract that protects the assets of the wealthier spouse from being open to claims by the less wealthy spouse. In this case, however, MacKenzie reportedly assisted Jeff in setting up and administering the growth of Amazon.

Under the divorce laws of the state of Washington, the preceding fact increases the equities in her favor and can only strengthen her claims for an equal division of the community property acquired during the marriage. If there is a settlement that attempts to bring about an equal division, that would make MacKenzie the world’s richest woman. However, in order to raise that amount of cash, Jeff would have to liquidate a great number of his shares of voting stock, thus exposing himself to being deposed as the leader of Amazon. It is more likely that the parties have agreed not to require it because they both will benefit from the continued growth of Amazon.  

The Importance Of Logistics In Co-parenting

Among the things that impact how co-parenting efforts go for parents after a divorce is how the various logistical details are handled. There are all kinds of such details a co-parenting relationship involves, such as scheduling and pickup issues.

These details can have impacts on the whole family. Also, if the right steps aren’t taken, logistics could end up being a flashpoint for disputes that could make having a strong and focused co-parenting relationship much more difficult.

Setting a road map

One thing that can help with making sure logistical issues are properly addressed in co-parenting efforts and reducing the chances of conflicts arising over such issues is setting clear expectations on how such issues will be handled moving forward. Such a road map can be set within a parenting plan in a divorce.

Adjusting to evolving needs

However, logistics are not simply a matter to be addressed in an initial parenting plan and then never closely looked at again. While all kinds of issues can be addressed in parenting plans, there is always the potential for issues not addressed in such a plan to arise. Also, circumstances can change quite a bit for families over time. Such shifting circumstances can lead to changes in the logistical needs connected to co-parenting.

So, it can be important for co-parents to have regular and open discussions with each other about the details related to the raising of their kids and the co-parenting relationship. This can enable parents to catch potential issues early and make changes to how these details are handled as needed.

Keeping things cordial and respectful in logistics discussions

When having these conversations, it can be important for parents to not let things that could unnecessarily trigger conflict to seep in. Anger and disrespect entering into the mix could quickly derail things. So, staying focused on what is best for the kids, how to best keep one’s temper in check and how to best work with one’s ex can be crucial when preparing for such discussions.