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Putting together a parenting plan isn’t easy under even the best of circumstances.
You need to balance the needs of the child, the parents’ preferences, and keep any potential future circumstances in mind.
The importance of a detailed Parenting Plan
Crafting a parenting plan as part of your custody agreement is not merely a procedural necessity; it’s your roadmap for the future.
The more detailed your plan, the better equipped you’ll be in navigating unforeseen challenges.
A well-drafted parenting plan serves as a beacon of support and instills a sense of reassurance, ensuring you’re never caught off guard in your parenting journey.
As the parent of a special-needs child, however, your parenting plan takes on a whole new level of complication and worry.
Regardless of the type and severity of your child’s disability, your parenting plan needs to take into account care plans, ongoing medical treatment, and a need for routine and stability.
As you and your co-parent work through your parenting plan, here are some things you both need to account for in the document:
Medical Costs
Whether your child needs routine therapy appointments to help learn life skills or requires round-the-clock care, you and your ex need to be very clear on how medical expenses are to be handled.
The medical costs of your special-needs child can easily creep into the thousands annually, or even monthly.
When drawing up your parenting plan, it’s important to include items such as who pays for insurance premiums and deductibles, how uncovered medical expenses are paid, and whether the child will be considered for any alternative or non-traditional medical treatment.
In addition to the financial considerations of your child’s medical care, your parenting plan also should address who is responsible for medical decision making, and who can change your child’s medical providers.
Education for special-needs children
Families of special-needs children, especially those with behavioral disorders, ADD/ADHD, and autism may face some difficult decisions about their children’s education.
Items such as whether the child will attend a special school or educational program, how testing and evaluation will be managed, and what therapies and interventions will be explored.
Just as with medical, the parenting plan needs to lay out who will be responsible for decision-making regarding education, and how the costs of any school-related expenses will be handled.
Special Needs Trust
In some cases, families should consider setting up a Special Needs Trust for their child.
This is a financial account that provides funds for things such as your child’s care, as well as protecting any assets they may have from Social Security Income or other sources of income.
If you believe your child may need a special needs trust, consult with an estate planning attorney to set up this account properly and ensure your child’s ability to receive SSI and Medicaid benefits in the future.
Therapy Plans
These plans pave the way for ongoing support that extends beyond medical care, addressing your child’s unique developmental, physical, and emotional needs.
Understanding the Scope of Therapy Plans
Therapy plans for children with special needs can encompass a variety of interventions tailored to your child’s unique circumstances.
These could include:
- Speech therapy: This therapy seeks to help youngsters who have trouble communicating verbally. It can aid in the articulation, expression, and comprehension of spoken language.
- Physical therapy is intended to assist children in improving gross motor abilities such as walking, running, and balance. This therapy may be particularly effective for children with physical limitations or developmental delays.
- Behavioral treatment: Behavioral treatment can help youngsters learn to properly manage their actions. This type of therapy is frequently effective for children who have disorders such as ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Life Insurance
For many families, life insurance is used to secure child support payment in the event of the payor’s death.
Special needs families should consider this option, but also may want to discuss whether any life insurance they carry should be used to provide for their child’s medical needs, treatment, and general living expenses.
Should one of the parents die, these life insurance funds can go into a trust to be used solely for the purpose of the child’s care and daily living expenses.
Adopting Flexibility and Willingness to Compromise
Crafting a parenting plan for a child with special needs requires an open mind and a flexible approach. Every child is unique, and so are their needs.
It’s paramount to work collaboratively with your former partner, aiming for a plan that supports your child’s wellbeing.
Children´s Custody
In most cases, courts like to preserve shared physical custody of children. It’s often the situation that provides the child the most access to both parents, giving them the opportunity to form a bonded relationship.
However, in the case of special needs children, a 50/50 custody split may not be in their best interest.
Children with extensive medical care needs or behavioral challenges that can be worsened by the shifting routines of going between houses may require more flexible and creative custody solutions.
This may mean that, while the child lives full-time with one parent, the other parent is given frequent and unimpeded access to dinners, homework help, and just general time to spend with the child.
Addressing Visitation and Custody Challenges
Shared custody may pose challenges for children with special needs, especially if they rely on assistive equipment or thrive on a consistent routine.
While an equal custody split may be ideal, it’s crucial to prioritize the child’s needs.
It may necessitate assigning primary physical custody to one parent with planned visitation and parenting time for the other, minimizing unnecessary disruptions for the child.
Prioritizing Self-Care
While your primary focus is on your child’s wellbeing, it’s equally important to look after your own mental and emotional health during this process.
Seeking support from a qualified therapist can be beneficial, and family counseling may also be a helpful resource.
Engaging an experienced attorney
Parenting plans and custody agreements carry legal weight.
Therefore, consulting a skilled lawyer before finalizing your agreement is highly recommended.
An experienced attorney can guide you through the legal complexities of divorce and custody laws, ensuring your parenting plan aligns with your child’s best interests.
Family Lawyer in Washington, D.C.
Each family is unique, and each parenting plan is unique as well. The team at Lopez Law Firm can help you create an equitable, stable parenting plan that meets the needs of your child while maintaining access to both parents. Call today for a consultation!
