Drafting Parenting Plan in New York

How to Be Prepared and Knowledgeable for a New York Divorce

New York Divorce

 

The more knowledge you have the better prepared you will be for a New York Divorce.  When it comes to divorce, there are so many issues to sort through that it can be difficult to determine where to begin. 

 

The first step is to make a list of all the important things that have to be done.   Some of these items are all part of nearly every divorce and these things may include: developing a parenting plan, the division of assets, determine living arrangement and child custody.  There are other things that are not so obvious but just as important to handle. 

 

Things to Handle During a Divorce That You May Overlook

 

  1. Update all your passwords to your email, banking accounts, and social media accounts.  Perhaps you had shared accounts with your spouse or maybe they had the passwords for some reason, however, it is important to keep things separate during the divorce process.
  2. Remember to handle any medical issues while you still have the same insurance coverage as your rates and deductibles may change when your marital status changes to “single”.
  3. Request a copy of your credit report.  It is imperative to have an understanding of where you stand because you will now need your credit to apply for an apartment, buy a house, or even purchase a car in the future.
  4. Consider opening up a P.O. Box for mail.
  5. Make a list of any joint purchases/ventures that may need to be divided in the divorce.

 

Consult a New York Mediation Attorney for More Information

 

Before you make any major decisions about divorce, you may want to consult an experienced New York Mediation attorney who can educate you on all of your options.  What is right for one person may not be right for another, therefore, it is important to determine what route to take when it comes to your New York divorce. 

 

For some couples, litigation is the only route, for others, mediation is a more cost-effective avenue.  In order to truly determine what route is best for you, it is best to know the details and potential ramifications of each route. 

 

Call Sabra at Sabra Law Group today at (646) 472-7971 to set up a Divorce Discovery Session

How to Determine if a Parenting Plan in New York Can Be Changed

While there may be many complicated issues to work out in a divorce, the one thing that most couples can agree on is that they both want what is best for the children.

In order to ensure the welfare of the children, it is imperative to have a parenting plan that has been carefully orchestrated.  When drafting a parenting plan, it is important to consider the long-term and not just the short-term. 

Once a Parenting Plan is Finalized with the Divorce Decree Can It Be Changed?

The parenting plan can only be changed under certain circumstances; for example: both parents can agree to modify an existing parenting plan whenever they choose to do so.

One of the simplest ways to modify an existing parenting plan is for both parents to agree on modifying the plan.  If you feel that the current parenting plan does not meet the best needs of the children or is lacking certain factors, consider having an open and honest conversation with your spouse to see if you can come to an agreement on the suggested modifications.  Once you can both agree on the modifications, the process is quite simple:

  1. Draft a new parenting plan
  2. Both parties need to sign the new plan
  3. Then it has to go to the court for their signoff
  4. Once the court signs off on the new plan, it becomes official

Can a Parenting Plan Be Changed to Reflect a New Schedule or Changes in Schedule?

Yes, a parenting plan can be changed due to schedule conflicts.  Whether the schedule conflict has to do with one parent’s new job or a child transferring schools, it may require a change to the parenting plan that once was a good fit but now no longer serves its purpose. 

If the Changes to a Parenting Plan Are Significant, There Must Be Valid Reasons

Changes cannot be made to a parenting plan just because one parent decides that they want changes.  There must be good, valid reasons that directly impact the children’s best interests. 

Need to Make Changes to an Existing Parenting Plan, Consult a Mediation Attorney

If you need to make changes to an existing parenting plan and need some guidance, it is best to consult a knowledgeable mediation attorney who can guide you along the way.  Contact Sabra Law Group today for a confidential consultation at (646) 472-7971.