When parents get divorced, an important question regards child custody and parenting time. Utah’s courts want to ensure that children can build a relationship with their parents and build strong bonds. However, determining parenting plans can be contentious if there are disagreements.
A Sandy family lawyer can help you navigate custody issues and parenting plan disputes. Brown Family Law has over 150 years of combined legal experience and has served thousands of clients. We can be an impartial and objective party during divorce proceedings and can protect your rights and pursue your interests.
Contact our offices online or reach out to our firm today to speak with a parenting plan lawyer in Sandy.
How Do Parenting Plans Work in Sandy?
When parents with children get divorced, they are required to submit a parenting plan to the courts. A parenting plan is a formalized agreement establishing when each parent has custody and visitation with children. When parents are unmarried, they can still submit a parenting plan to establish obligations and responsibilities.
Even when one parent has sole physical and joint custody of children, the other parent is still entitled to parenting time. The parenting schedule outlines when the child will stay with each parent and how many overnight stays each parent gets. The plan also clearly outlines each parent’s responsibility for raising the child.
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Common Types of Parenting Plans in Sandy
Below are some common types of parenting plans in Utah. You can talk to a family lawyer if you are currently devising a parenting plan and need legal support.
50/50
With 50/50 custody, each parent gets equal amounts of parenting time with the child. A common arrangement is for parents to alternate weeks with the child. Another common plan is a 2-2-5-5 plan, where one parent has the child for the first two days, the other parent takes the next two days, and then the parents alternate between the remaining three days of the week.
60/40
The most common type of 60/40 parenting plan is a 3-4 schedule, where one parent takes the first three overnights of the week while the other parent takes the remaining four. There is also an 8-6 schedule with one parent getting eight days and the other parent getting the remaining six.
70/30
A common variation of a 70/30 parenting plan is a 5-2 schedule. One parent gets five days with the child, and the other parent gets two. 70/30 parenting plans are more common in situations where one parent has to work throughout the week and cannot take the child for regular overnights during the weekdays.
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Minimum Parenting Times Based on the Law
Parents have fairly broad latitude to create a parenting plan however they want. But UC 81-9-302 sets minimum limits on how much parenting time non-custodial parents are entitled to. Any parenting plan must be consistent with these minimum requirements:
Modifying Parenting Plans in Sandy
Parenting plans that are approved by a court are legally binding, and parents can face punishment if they refuse to comply with a plan. However, plans are not meant to be permanent and may be subject to change.
In order to modify an existing parenting plan, you must submit a formal Petition to Modify and show that there’s been a “material and substantial change” in your circumstances. Valid reasons to request a change include:
- Gain or loss of employment
- One parent relocates or remarries
- The child’s needs have changed as they’ve aged
When you submit the form, you must also submit the proposed new parenting plan. The other parent must also be notified about the Petition to Modify.
How a Parenting Time Lawyer Can Help
Having a Sandy parenting plan on your side can be a great asset during discussions and negotiations. Here’s how a lawyer can help:
- Draft potential schedules. A lawyer can draft initial plans and negotiate with the other side to reach a mutual agreement.
- Manage disputes. If there are disputes or disagreements, a lawyer can help mediate them and look for methods of resolution.
- Enforce or modify orders. If one party refuses to comply with a valid parenting plan, we can help file a motion to enforce or modify the agreement.
Contact a Parenting Plan Lawyer in Sandy, UT
Even when there are no disputes, designing a parenting plan that fits each parent’s situation and the child’s best interest can be difficult. Brown Family Law can help individuals and couples navigate these agreements and seek a resolution that’s favorable to you. We promise to manage your case in a way that protects you and your family’s privacy and dignity.
Feel free to send us a message online or call us by phone today to schedule an appointment with a parenting plan lawyer in Sandy.
