How to keep up with Co-Parenting?

Darren White, Associate Solicitor in our Family & Children department discusses how a parenting agreement can help when it comes to co-parenting.

Communication is probably the greatest problem in family cases. When a relationship ends it can be extremely fraught between the parties and as such communication can suffer which, in turn, can have an impact on the children.

The International Council on Shared Parenting have recently released findings to suggest that co-parenting is in the best interests of children on divorce. Further it has been stated that children are at their best when they spend between one third to one half of their time with a parent. These findings come just before the Sixth International Convention on Shared Parenting due to take place in Athens on May 7^th, 2023.

The concept of co-parenting is not a new invention. It is a long-established way of caring for children after separation. It is well publicized with many celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony and Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner all being proud co-parents and highlighting the benefits in the world’s media. It is simply a question of the parties jointly participating in the child’s life and upbringing.

This is something that is at the forefront of the Court’s mind when making any Order as the starting point for the Court, in considering any children application, is that is the child’s right to have a meaningful relationship with both parents. The only thing that would really inhibit this is a risk of harm to the child.

If parents are able to put aside their differences at an early stage, in the best interest of the child, they can work towards putting in place a Parenting Agreement to set out how they will co-parent a child. Putting in place such as Agreement, at an early stage of a case, can save a client a considerable amount of money and stress and also help to improve the relationship between the parties going forward.

Parenting Agreements can if the parents wish be extremely detailed, setting out all of the arrangements for the care of the child to include what happens during school time, during school holidays and important occasions.

Of course, there are cases where co-parenting between themselves may not be possible such as where domestic abuse is a factor. However, as solicitors we are able to bridge the gap to assist parents in reaching agreements which can in turn ensure that a child has the stability they need.

It’s important for parents to focus on what is in a child’s best interest and work together to ensure that this is achieved.

At Taylor Rose MW, we can assist with all aspects of Family Law. We can advise you regarding the Child Law process and preparation of documentation, such as a Parenting Agreement. If you would like additional information, please contact Darren White by clicking the ‘contact us’ button to email him directly or call him direct on 01925 256648 at our Warrington Office.

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