Read more below about how to be a successful co-parent when your children live miles away.

Make a Plan and Stick With It

Kids thrive when their lives are consistent and predictable. Consistency develops a predictable routine and momentum for children. Creating a visitation plan or schedule is an important first step. Early on, kids learn how to trust and distrust. By keeping visitations regular and consistent, you can nurture your relationship with your child and build the trust that comes with it. Of course, being physically present is not always possible (especially when living in a different state), so it is essential to keep an open communication line.

Use Technology to Your Benefit

With today’s technology, communicating with one another is easier than ever. It is literally at your fingertips. Depending on your agreements and arrangements, talk with your children as often as possible — do not let an opportunity pass. If your kids have a phone, text them every day or two. Send them pictures of your life or things that will make them smile. If you live away from your kids, you might find yourself working overtime to stay in their life, and technology allows you to do just that. Set time aside for phone calls, video chats, and other long-distance get-together methods and follow through every time.

The Little Things that Count

Unfortunately, living away from your kids means you will inevitably miss significant milestones or moments in their lives. This means you will need to make an extra effort for your children to feel your love. When something big happens in their lives, ask them about it. Ask them how their first day of school was, ask them to send a video of their dance recital, or ask them about their big school project. Periodically send hand-written letters or small gifts. It truly is the little things that count, especially for kids.

When you are together, make sure to take advantage of your in-person time. Learn your child’s love language and make sure to “speak” to them in their language. If they thrive on quality time spent together, put your phone and any other distractions away and focus on your kids. If they feel love through words, make sure to tell them often how you feel and other important things. If you do not know how they feel loved, ask them.

Contact The Ault Firm

Changes in life are inevitable. It is expected that you, your ex-spouse, and your children will experience significant changes in life. If you or your former spouse are unable to meet your current child custody arrangements due to life changes and are in the Salt Lake City or West Jordan, UT area, it is time to contact The Ault Firm. Our team of professionals is experienced in family law and modifying custody arrangements. If you need a knowledgeable custody modifications attorney, schedule a consultation with The Ault Firm today.

The post Successful Co-Parenting When Your Kids Live Out of State appeared first on The Ault Firm, P.C..

Below are signs of effective co-parenting, indications of healthy and productive communication between you and your ex-spouse.

Your Kids Believe You Get Along

Effective co-parents’ children think that you and your ex get along famously. This does not mean it’s true; it may be true, or it may not. However, this does mean both parents show the other parent respect and communicate civilly in front of the kids. 

You Comply with Boundaries

Successful co-parents have clear boundaries that both parties respect. You each understand that you cannot control the other parent. You have set rules on what is expected, what is acceptable, and, in some cases, what is not acceptable. This may include what you two can talk about with one another, how much time you can spend together, etc. Each family will have their own set of boundaries.

No Need to Manipulate Children

In unhealthy relationships between exes, children may find themselves being pitted against one parent by the other parent. In a healthy co-parenting relationship, there are no attempts to manipulate kids and that their kid’s relationship with the other parent does not take away from your relationship. Both parents understand and celebrate the fact that there is room for both parents.

You Follow a Set Schedule

Kids thrive in predictable routines. Co-parents thrive when set schedules are followed. There are no questions or uncertainties with a predetermined schedule for the parents and, most importantly, the children. Of course, things will inevitably come up that will require a change in your plan. When this happens, communication is critical for co-parenting to be successful. Be willing to be flexible, helpful, and stick to your commitments whenever possible.

You Are Respectful of One Another’s Child Time

Another trait of a healthy co-parenting relationship is that you and your ex are respectful of each other’s time with your children. You and your ex encourage relationships with the other parent and are aware and respectful of their importance in your children’s lives. While it is hard to spend time away from your kids, you and your ex see the value in spending time and nurturing the relationship with the other parent.

Time Together is Tension-Free

When you and your ex can attend family gatherings, sporting events, performances, and school functions together without feeling tension, anxiety, or animosity, you will know you two are co-parenting well. This shows you are both putting your children’s needs before your own.

Contact The Ault Firm

The professionals at The Ault Firm understand the challenges that divorce and life after divorce bring. If you are considering divorce or need legal representation to protect your family after your divorce, call us to schedule your case review today.

The post Signs of Effective Co-Parenting appeared first on The Ault Firm, P.C..

What is a Child Visitation Agreement? 

The goal of a child visitation agreement is to create a shared schedule between you and your child’s custodial parent. This will be difficult to hear, but the child visitation agreement does not revolve around you. Nor does the agreement entirely revolve around the custodial parent. The agreement prioritizes the best interests of your child, which factor in your child’s age, their well-being, each parent’s work history and current employment, the residence of each parent, and each parent’s daily schedules. If your child is considered old enough by the court, then the child will be able to select which days they’d like to spend time with you. Each parent’s visitation rights, duties, and responsibilities to their child will be outlined in the agreement. In the event that both parents cannot reach a mutual agreement, then the court will intervene. The parent with sole custody of the child is usually given the privilege of creating the visitation schedule, but it must be submitted to the court and approved by a judge. Once the judge approves the schedule, the agreement becomes a court order. Creating a child visitation agreement works best when both parents can peacefully come to an agreement because then it is a painless process for everyone involved. 

What is a Violation of a Child Visitation Agreement?

The two types of visitation are unsupervised visitations and supervised visitations. Unsupervised visitation is when the non-custodial parent can spend their scheduled time with their child without third-party supervision. In contrast, supervised visitations are reserved for parents who have a severe mental illness, a history of violence, substance abuse issues, or a track-record of neglect. For supervised visitations, a judge will specify the time and duration of the non-custodial parent’s visit. A judge will also designate the neutral third-party supervisor who will be monitoring the supervised visit. If either parent violates the visitation agreement, serious consequences will be taken against them. Parents who violate the visitation agreement will eventually lose their visitation rights and may even be subjected to criminal charges. Schedule violations occur when the non-custodial parent keeps their child for a longer amount of time than permitted, or when the custodial parent denies the other parent their right to visit the child. Contact an attorney immediately if there are visitation violations. 

Child custody battles are heart-wrenching, but it’s important to not entirely center yourself. Your child’s happiness and well-being need to be front and center. If you’re in need of a child visitation rights attorney, contact The Ault Firm today. 

The post How Do Visitation Rights Work? appeared first on The Ault Firm, P.C..

Schedule Your Holiday Visitation ASAP

Visitation or parenting time is the time parents spend with their children following a divorce. The parenting plan must include how much time each parent will spend with the children, including the holidays and other special occasions or events throughout the year. The main purpose of parenting plans is to protect your interests and the interests of your children as much as you can. Your Salt Lake City child visitation attorney can help you with creating a good visitation schedule. It will pay off in the long run.

Why a Parenting Plan?

It allows each parent to enjoy the maximum participation in their kids’ lives as well as meet their needs as long as there is no abuse or neglect. The goal is equal parenting time. Although in most cases, equal parenting time may not be possible, a practical arrangement between parents is almost always possible. It is important parents prevent their visitation goals to prevent the common legal problems many divorcees tend to face these days. This is particularly true for holiday parenting time, there shouldn’t be any doubts or questions about where the children will spend the holidays.

Requirements

Courts generally require a couple of things listed in the parenting plan. The parenting plan includes the holidays as well as other school breaks. Some parents may choose to split holiday visitation time while others prefer to pick up the children midday during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

A Parenting Plan That Works

A well-designed parenting plan is crucial to get you through the holidays without having major arguments with your former spouse. Also, your children will look forward to the many activities you have planned out for them. There is not a one size fits all parenting solution. Your parenting plan is as unique as your family and the circumstances surrounding your divorce case. Consult an experienced Salt Lake City child visitation attorney to help you figure out your holiday visitation schedule.

Essential elements to include in your plan

• A clear schedule that will include plans for the holidays and other special events throughout the year.
• Outline your former spouse’s responsibilities and your responsibilities.
• Include financial obligations.
• Implement a good system to share information.
• Leave some room for improvement when needed.

The most important thing is to focus on parenting your children these holidays rather than arguing with your ex. If things get tough, we are here to answer any questions you may have.

The post Helpful Tips To Avoid Visitation Problems During The Holidays appeared first on The Ault Firm, P.C..