What is the Difference Between a Parenting Plan and a Nesting Arrangement?
During divorce proceedings, there are many different arrangements to consider in order to allow both spouses to move on with their lives. This is often difficult, as it is never easy to separate two lives that were brought together over a long period of time. Spouses share lives and assets with one another, resulting in a family with children sharing a home together. It can be hard to split a family up, which is why it is crucial that there are detailed arrangements in place to care for these matters. When facing these situations, it is important to retain the services of an experienced and compassionate New Jersey family law attorney.
What is a Parenting Plan?
When parents are sharing custody of their children, it is important to have a plan in place that allows them to outline how they wish to proceed with their parenting responsibilities. This is done through a parenting plan. This document details how both spouses are to parent the child after their divorce. Issues that are addressed within the document can include the following:
- Custody, both physical and legal
- Parenting time for the year including holidays, birthdays, Mother’s and Father’s Day, summer, school breaks, etc.
- Phone access to the child
- Communication regarding the child
- Access to the child’s records
- Notice regarding parenting time
- Attendance at the child’s activities
- Decision-making regarding the child
- Exchange of information such as addresses, phone numbers, and care providers
These plans are essential for both parents and children. This is because it reduces any confusion there may be on what to expect and how to reduce conflict. It also minimizes the chances of returning to court for modifications.
What is a Nesting Arrangement?
Throughout a marriage, spouses usually live in a home together. This is known as a marital residence. When a family spends this amount of time in a home together prior to a divorce, it can be difficult to simply leave it once a marriage is over. After divorces, it is best for children to maintain some sort of stability. Nesting agreements can allow this, as it establishes times in which parties take turns having access to the marital home based on the parenting time schedule. This means that when the mother has parenting time with the children, she remains in the marital residence and the father must leave. When the father has parenting time, the mother is expected to leave as well.
Contact our Firm
If you need an experienced legal team to guide you through your divorce, contact Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark L.L.C today.