If you intend to share custody of your kids with your ex-spouse after your divorce, you probably want to devote significant attention to creating a comprehensive parenting plan. This binding agreement reduces future conflict by detailing each parent’s responsibilities.
While your parenting plan may cover topics ranging from medical care to screen time, it should also discuss the custody transfer. This is the regular meeting you have with your ex-spouse to exchange the kids at the beginnings and ends of your parenting time.
Set the location
You do not want to leave the location of your custody transfer to chance. Instead, consider designating a precise site for it in your parenting plan. While any place may work in theory, ideal transfer sites are usually both convenient and safe.
Also, in case the primary site does not work for some reason, your parenting plan should also include a backup location.
Address preparation
Preparing young children for a custody transfer may seem like a Herculean task. Still, if the kids leave essential items behind or are otherwise not ready for the exchange, your ex-spouse may have legitimate grounds to complain.
Accordingly, consider using your parenting plan to describe each parent’s role in preparing the children for the transfer. Incorporating a transfer checklist may be beneficial.
Mandate communication
Even with good planning, something may derail your custody transfer. Therefore, you may want to put a communication-related provision in your parenting plan. This provision may require you and your children’s co-parent to communicate transfer complications, modifications or other issues by text, e-mail or phone call.
Likewise, if transfer-related disagreements arise, your parenting plan should include a process for resolving them.
