Sharing custody can become more complex when your kids become older. They may have their own preferences about what they do with their time, which can eat into parenting time and lead to conflicts.
Additionally, older children and teenagers might participate in sports, dance, debate or a host of other extracurricular activities. What impact will your child’s hobbies, clubs and other activities have on your custody arrangements?
You may have to consult with your ex about timing
If the two of you share legal custody, you will both likely need to weigh in on decisions about new extracurricular activities. Additionally, even if you have decision-making authority, if practices or other activities fall during your ex’s parenting time, you may have to verify that they accept those responsibilities.
Special events may need to be split up
In a perfect world, you and your ex would sit shoulder-to-shoulder in the bleachers and cheer your child on during their big game. However, it may be too difficult for the two of you to do that.
You may need to adjust your parenting plan to include a new rule about splitting up both transportation and expense responsibilities for these activities as well as the enjoyment of being a supportive observer during special events.
Whether you are about to create a parenting plan or need to update an existing one, an experienced family law attorney can help you as you work out the best approach to handling your children’s extracurricular activities. This can help your children know that even though they’re no longer together, their parents still support their interests and accomplishments.