Law Office of Joanne Kleiner

Archives for March 2021

Mar 24

Advice for Setting Up a Mutually Beneficial Parenting Schedule

Tips for Setting a Co-Parenting Schedule Without Court Involvement

Determining child custody is an essential part of most divorces. Despite the animosity that spouses might feel toward one another, roughly four-fifths of child custody agreements are decided without judges or other third-party entities getting involved. Considering this widespread trend in the world of divorce, you should have a good idea of how to go about successfully reaching a co-parenting schedule that you and your soon-to-be-ex-partner both agree on without third-party involvement.

1. Understand That Parenting Plans Don’t Just Include Schedules

Parenting schedules determine when and where divorced parents can spend time with their children. In some cases, one party can only visit their children at the other parent’s house. However, most parenting schedules allow the other parent to take custody of their kids for at least one full day every two weeks.

Parenting plans don’t just determine when parents will see their kids. These plans also outline who will be responsible for making important decisions. A few of the most common decision-making topics covered by parenting plans include:

  • School enrollment
  • Medical treatment
  • Health insurance plans

Knowing that parenting plans contain both time-sharing and decision-making agreements could improve your chances of reaching a comprehensive parenting plan that meets your own and your spouse’s needs.

2. Think Outside of the Box

Many experienced divorced parents have found that one-week-on, one-week-off co-parenting schedules aren’t ideal. Although they might seem like the definition of fairness, these alternating-week schedules can cause serious problems down the road. Having your kids for an entire week at a time can force you to incur substantial child care expenses. It can also lead to unnecessary stress, in turn stifling your parental performance.

Ideally, divorced parents who are on good terms allow each other to see their children on off weeks. This is essential to keeping your kids happy and healthy as children typically don’t like going a full week without seeing their mom or dad.

It’s important to create a parenting plan that leaves room for flexibility. For example, maybe you find that it works better to switch custody every two or three days. If you keep an open mind and remain willing to change the plan as needed, you’re more likely to land on an agreement that works out for everyone’s benefit.

3. Be Transparent About Your Expectations and Concerns

Be clear about your custody expectations with your soon-to-be-ex-spouse. Obscuring your goals can lead your former partner to feel wronged, potentially complicating your divorce even further.

If you’re not sure how to approach your spouse with these expectations and concerns, run them by your divorce lawyer. Should you not feel confident disclosing them to your spouse on your own, your divorce lawyer can share these ideas with your spouse in a way that avoids rocking the proverbial boat.

4. Think About Using Co-Parenting Apps

Consumer technology has undoubtedly made some facets of life easier. Many divorced parents have had good experiences with co-parenting apps. These mobile apps and computer programs help you track important documents, organize all co-parenting matters and keep from forgetting essential details.

Co-parenting platforms back up all information shared to secure cloud servers, which hold you and your former spouse accountable. You can share receipts, medical bills and calendar information and keep it all in one secure place.

A Family Law Attorney Could Improve Your Bargaining Experience

If you’re like most parents, you place your children’s well-being and future prospects above everything else. Considering the decades-long effects a divorce can have, you should enter the divorce process prepared to negotiate with the best interests of your children in mind.

Let skilled divorce lawyer Joanne E. Kleiner help you through your divorce. Feel free to stop by our main office in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, or call us at (215) 886-1266. You can also reach out to us by completing our website’s contact form.

Mar 20

Reasons You Might Keep Paying Child Support After Your Child Is 18

Does Child Support Always Stop When the Child Turns 18?

Each year, roughly $33 billion in child support is paid to families around the nation. If you are one of the many families dealing with child support, you might be wondering how long you can expect to have child support. The answer to this question will depend on a few factors.

Different States Have Various Child Support Rules

The first thing you need to know about child support is that there is no nationwide law in place for when child support ends. Instead, it varies by state. Some states, like Pennsylvania, have the cutoff at 18 while others have it at 19 or 21. In many regions, whether or not the child is in school matters. A child may get support until 19 or 21 in some states if they are still in high school. Typically, your child support will be determined by the state you divorce in. Even if you or the other parent moves to a different state, you may still be bound by the initial child support ruling from your previous home state.

As long as at least one parent is living in the state where the initial child support order was made, that state has jurisdiction over the child support. You will be subject to their rules for when child support ends unless you petition the original state to change your order. If neither parent is living in the state, it is easier to adjust child support. You may be able to petition the court in your new state to get a child support agreement that follows that state’s rules. However, determining jurisdiction for child support can be tricky, so it is a good idea to consult with a divorce lawyer about modifying your agreement.

Children With Special Needs May Require Additional Support

In addition to being in school, another reason for child support after 18 is special needs. When a child has special needs, the court will take this into account with their child support. To continue getting child support after the age of majority, the child must be diagnosed with a mental or physical disability. Furthermore, this disability must be so severe that the child is unable to care for themselves. For example, a deaf child may not need extended child support while a child with severe Down syndrome may need it.

In cases of special-needs child support, there is no set rule for when child support ends. Typically, child support will be an ongoing responsibility that is necessary as long as the child cannot care for themselves. However, these child support duties might not be as extensive as you would assume. Adult children with disabilities are eligible for Social Security benefits, and these benefits will reduce the amount of financial support the parent must pay.

You Have to Follow Any Arrangements From Your Divorce Agreement

When your child support lawyer was helping you finalize your agreement, you may have discussed child support. Many families choose to make their own agreements instead of relying on the basic legal guidelines. In these cases, you will be bound by your divorce agreement. If your agreement included things like paying for support through college, you will be bound by this agreement. While no child support agreement can provide less support than the state deems necessary, the state will not interfere with an agreement that provides more support.

Ultimately, most child support will end at the age of 18, but there are some exceptions that can result in lengthier periods of time for paying child support. Whether you are interested in designing a new child support agreement or modifying your current arrangement, the Law Office of Joanne Kleiner can help. By speaking to a divorce lawyer, you can learn more about your state’s rules and see how child support agreements work. Contact our Jenkintown office at (215) 886-1266 schedule your free consultation today.