Co-Parenting After Divorce in South Carolina

While the dynamics of your relationship with your former spouse have certainly changed, your ability to take care of your children together should remain steadfast. Co-parenting following divorce certainly comes with challenges, but with a manageable parenting plan, many issues can be resolved. South Carolina courts take certain factors into advisement to determine the child’s best interests. These factors ensure that a child’s developmental, emotional, and physical needs are met in a stable, nurturing environment.

At Gil Gatch Law, our team of legal professionals seeks to reach an agreement between the parties that meets your child’s needs. If you are considering divorce but have minor children, our family law lawyers are here to offer sound advice.

Keep the Lines of Communication Open

Although you may not want anything to do with your child’s other parent, direct communication is best to ensure that everyone is on the same page. You should keep communication direct and business-like, avoiding emotionally driven topics. The only matters to be discussed are those that pertain to your child. This may include drop-off and pick-up times at school, sports schedules, or health matters. Set aside specific times during the day when you are open to talking about these issues. To organize calendars, track expenses, or messages, consider using a co-parenting app such as OurFamilyWizard or Cozi.

Develop a Detailed Parenting Plan

Given that you and your former spouse no longer live under the same roof, you must create a detailed parenting plan. A parenting plan will minimize confusion by describing how key issues will be handled.

Your parenting plan should include the following:

• Transportation to school and extracurricular activities;
• Drop-off and pick-up schedules;
• Custody arrangements during the school week, vacation weeks, and holidays;
• Allocation of parenting time; and
• Decision-making authority regarding healthcare, education, and religious upbringing.

When custody is contested, SC Code §63-15-220 requires that both parents submit a parenting plan to the court. A judge will consider only temporary and final custody orders after reviewing a completed parenting plan.

Comply with the Parenting Plan

By adhering to the parenting plan, you help comfort your child during this transitional time. Be sure to comply fully with the parenting plan, including sticking to drop-off and pick-up times and allowing your child to communicate with the other parent when at your house. Understandably, your child may feel anxious when transitioning between homes for the first time. Your agreeableness can help place them at ease and help children more quickly adapt to their new routine.

Legal Guidance for Emotional Matters

Separation or divorce is an emotionally charged event, which can cause parents to bicker instead of focusing on their child’s needs. At Gil Gatch Law, our legal team is happy to help you create a workable parenting plan that is in your child’s best interests. A key element that the court looks for is consistency in routines. Our legal professionals will work with you and adverse counsel to develop a comprehensive parenting plan that meets your family’s needs.

Contact Our Summerville Family Law Attorneys

Co-parenting as a newly divorced couple can be challenging. While you want what is best for your child, you do not want to sacrifice your pride in the process. At Gil Gatch Law, our legal team has helped numerous people develop a parenting plan built on mutual respect. Parenting plans that promote a stable environment for your child are most likely to be approved by the court. To schedule a free consultation with one of our Summerville family law lawyers, you can reach us online or by calling (843) 800-2020 at your earliest convenience.