Law Office of Joanne Kleiner

Child Parenting Time (Visitation) Guidelines

Jun 05

The Impact of a Custody Battle

custody visitation

Many parents who contest a court’s custody ruling, or who engage in long and protracted proceedings to establish custody and visitation arrangement will tell you that they are doing it “for the benefit of the children.” There are certainly instances where one parent must do whatever is necessary to ensure a safe outcome for children—if there’s domestic violence, alcohol or drug abuse, for example. In most cases, though, their actions are ultimately counterproductive, draining precious resources that could be better spent on the children or on improving their lives.

Here are the most frequent consequences of an unnecessary custody battle:

  • One or both parties spend money they can’t afford to spend—It may be money that would be used to buy clothes and food, to live in a better house, or to fund a child’s college education. Attorney’s fees can be substantial, even if the skirmish is short-lived.
  • The tension and conflict between the parties increases—When you are on opposite sides of an argument, it’s hard to find ways to agree…which is often in the best interests of your children. Not only will it have an impact on your health—medical professionals have long known that stress and anxiety are bad for you—but your kids will be well aware of what’s going on and will feel in the middle (or even to blame).
  • Co-parenting becomes difficult or impossible—Even if the issues you need to resolve involve only your children, it will be hard not to inject some of your dispute or animosity with your ex into the process. In the aftermath of divorce, your children need stability and consistency—a custody battle makes those objectives difficult to attain.
  • Your children will suffer—If you and your ex are taking side, your children will feel compelled to as well. They love both of you, so they’ll struggle to make both of you happy—an unattainable goal.

Contact the Law Office of Joanne E. Kleiner & Associates

For an appointment, contact our office online or call us at 215-886-1266. Let us use our experience, skill, knowledge and resources to help you make informed and effective decisions.

Jul 12, 2012

Child Parenting Time (Visitation) Guidelines

The intent of child parenting time is to ensure that both parents may play a significant role in their child’s life. While being a parent is not easy and all parents make mistakes, it is in your child’s best interests to have a good and loving relationship with each parent.

In developing a child parenting (visitation) plan, the following guidelines may be helpful:

• Maintain regular contact between the child and both parents.

• Parents should refrain from physically or verbally attacking the other parent in the presence of their children.

• The custodial parent should ensure the children are prepared for the visitation and available at the mutually agreed-upon time. And the noncustodial parent should return the child at the agreed-upon time.

• Visitation should be allowed outside the child’s primary residence, such as the noncustodial parent’s home or an agreed-upon outing location.

• Parents should refrain from involving romantic partners in their child visitation time. This time is meant to be shared with child and parent, and involving third parties can be confusing and dilute the quality of parenting time.

• Time spent with the noncustodial parent should be as frequent as is practical. Schedules should be flexible enough to allow for changes when necessary, and the other parent should be informed of schedule changes as soon as possible.

• Any schedule established should be adjusted to reflect your child’s age, health and interests as he or she grows.

• Each parent should encourage a good relationship between the child and the other parent, regardless of his or her personal opinion of the ex-spouse.

• Never use your children as bargaining chips, spies or go-betweens with the other parent. The purpose of parenting time is to spend time with your child.

• Both parents should resolve to reach agreement in decisions about their children, especially concerning discipline. And disagreements should never be discussed in your child’s presence.

Talk to a Pennsylvania family law attorney today

Visitation issues can be difficult, but an experienced Pennsylvania family law attorney can help you navigate the process. Contact us online or call (215) 886-1266 to discuss your child parenting matter.