The Time to Plan for Summer Coparenting Is Now

 Posted on February 13, 2023 in Family Law

In Michigan, February is the month that most residents start thinking about summer. The cold has defined life for long enough that dreams of hot summer days start to preoccupy the minds of many. Daydreaming is a healthy stress reliever. Yet, there is another important reason to start thinking about summer now if you are a coparent. A failure to be proactive now could impact your summer months for the worse.

Summer Is a Unique Time

Whether you are currently navigating a separation, a divorce, or your child custody order has been in place for some time, it is important to consider how your coparenting approaches may need to be modified during the summer months. The best interests of your child or children likely manifest in different ways during the summer than they do during the school year. Carefully considering either how to craft a parenting plan for the summer or whether your current order needs to be modified in February will better ensure that a healthy, manageable arrangement is in place by the time that summer rolls around.

Summertime Considerations

The supreme standard that governs child custody matters in Michigan is the “best interests of the child” standard. When contemplating how to approach this upcoming summer, scrutinize whether your plans reflect the spirit of this standard. Could your child genuinely benefit from more time with you or your coparent? Have their passions and interests been given adequate consideration? Are their social needs being met?

Summertime can serve as a period to meet your child’s needs in ways that may not be manageable during the school year. A failure to address these needs when doing so is workable could affect your child’s summer – as well as yours – for the worse. As a result, it is time to consider your current arrangements and to discuss any modifications that may be warranted with your coparent.

Contact an Oakland County Child Custody Lawyer to Schedule a Free Legal Consultation

Coparenting is not always an easy or straightforward undertaking. Sometimes, seeking professional legal guidance is the best way to ensure that you are able to honor your child’s best interests. If you are interested in receiving personalized legal feedback at no cost, schedule a free, confidential consultation with the compassionate team of Farmington Hills, MI divorce lawyers at Elkouri Heath, PLC today.

Once we understand your needs and concerns, we will be able to advise you objectively concerning your rights and options under Michigan law. Whether you are building a parenting plan from scratch or you could benefit from a formal modification to an existing order, our firm is here to help. You can schedule your confidential, free legal consultation today by submitting a contact form on our website or by calling us at 248-344-9700. We look forward to being of service. 

Source:

https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/forms/scao-approved/foc87.pdf