Scheduling custody and parenting responsibilities based on the parents’ work schedules can be complicated.
It can be made even more difficult if a parent has a job that does not have consistent work hours. This is common in the medical profession, law enforcement, and emergency services. When allocating parenting responsibilities, this must be considered with flexibility and understanding in mind. Knowing the law is a vital component of a viable plan that will benefit the parents and the child.
Is flexible parenting time an option in Tennessee?
The goal with a parenting plan is to serve the child’s best interests. That includes a safe environment, proper nutrition, medical care, adequate schooling, extracurricular activities, and contact with both parents. In general, the courts will strive to ensure that the parents have equal parenting time.
However, that can be made difficult if one or both parents have jobs with inconsistent hours. A nurse might need to work nights, weekends, switch to day shifts, and not know from one week to the next when they will be on duty. With a flexible parenting plan, the parties can agree to allow changes as needed, grant make-up time, and be agreeable in communication, drop-offs, and pickups.
When a parenting plan is established, it will say when the child will be with each parent. For example, one parent could have the child during the week; the other parent has the child on weekends. With vacations, holidays, and special occasions, the sides will know which parent will have the child over Thanksgiving and the child’s birthday.
The court can put a parenting plan in effect, but that is unlikely to mention every variable that could come into play for one or both parents who have inconsistent work schedules. A best-case scenario is for the parents to come to an agreement on their own and for the court to approve it. This requires the ability to discuss, compromise, and stick to a plan. Some parents simply adjust as they go, but there is no legal recourse if one or both parents does not adhere to the informal plan for parental responsibilities.
Know how to address complex family law situations
A parent who is already dealing with a family law case and is looking toward an uncertain future will want to make sure their child is protected from lingering animosities between parents. If they have a difficult work schedule, they need to know how to create a workable custody and parenting time arrangement, maintain stability, limit conflict, make sure the child is involved with both parents, and that all issues are covered.
For these and other family law concerns, it is essential to have a firm understanding of what options are available. Having comprehensive assistance from the outset and when other challenges arise can be essential to reaching a positive outcome for the parents and especially for the children.