Custody Battles
Parenting Agreements
When should a parenting agreement be made?
It is important to develop a parent agreement as soon as possible. Some couples will even sit down and discuss an agreement while they are still in the relationship and there are no plans of separation. This is to protect each other in case of a divorce where things could turn messy.
Why are they important?
Parenting agreements are important to try and settle disagreements that may come up such as:
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Education (where the child goes to school)
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Medical issues
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Pick up and drop off times / location they happen
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Travel and holidays (for more information on travel click here")
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Clothing and style (such as piercing)
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Diet
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Discipline
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Extracurricular activities
A parenting coordinator may also be able to assist you with your parenting agreement. For more information click here
What if I do not have a parenting agreement?
If you do not have a court order or a parenting agreement, if the two parents can not reach an agreement either parent can apply to the courts to get a parenting order.
The courts will look at what is in the child's best interests when deciding how to go about a parenting order.
Is it ever okay to not follow a parenting agreement?
Sometimes a parenting agreement isn't as straight forward as it seems, and a mistake will be made by one of the parents not fully understanding what something in the agreement means. For example a court ordered parenting agreement may not cover certain situations so a parent or guardian may not fully understand what to do in that situation. It is never okay for you to purposely not follow a parenting order and you can be fined or face jail time if you disobey.
It is important to work our any misunderstanding or disagreements before the agreement is set in stone. That way no mistakes or arguments arise later on.