After the Holidays

After the Holidays

            If you had a less than positive experience this past holiday season with visitation, now is an excellent time to consider getting the problems fixed.  The process can take time, and now is an excellent time to start looking toward spring break, summer break, and the 2012 holidays.  Generally speaking, the process is not that difficult and the courts are very skilled at crafting a parenting plan that will avoid future conflicts and ensure both parents have appropriate time with the children.

            Once a new order is put in place, it will often act to reduce the level of conflict.  Each parent then has legally enforceable rights, and any disagreement can be resolved – usually without having to go back to court.  With the sure knowledge that visitations will happen as scheduled in the parenting plan, stress will be greatly reduced – not only for the parents, but also for the children.

            If there are immediate issues that need to be addressed, this process can be adapted to get results in a fairly quick time frame.  Once a petition for modification of the parenting plan is filed and served, the court will be open to entering a temporary order to fill the gap until the final parenting plan is entered with the court.

            If you are considering this process, it usually costs nothing to see a family law attorney and discuss your individual case.  At a minimum, you will leave that appointment with a lot more information than you started with.  Putting off getting your parenting plan “right” can make future legal action more difficult, and can deprive you the time you deserve with your kids.