Shared parenting has become an increasingly common arrangement in family law matters across Canada, including in Edmonton, Alberta. The primary focus of shared parenting is to ensure that children benefit from ongoing relationships with both parents following separation or divorce. Ulasi Law Group, a family law firm based in Edmonton, offers expert legal advice and representation on matters related to shared parenting, helping families navigate this complex area of family law.
What is Shared Parenting?
Shared parenting, often referred to as “joint custody,” is a legal arrangement where both parents have the responsibility for the care, upbringing, and decision-making for their children after separation. In this model, both parents share physical custody and decision-making powers, ensuring that the child spends significant time with both.
In Alberta, shared parenting does not necessarily mean that time must be equally split between the parents. Rather, it means that both parents remain involved in the child’s life and make important decisions together, such as those relating to education, health, and welfare.
The Alberta Courts emphasize the best interests of the child as the guiding principle in family law, including when determining shared parenting arrangements.
Key Factors in Shared Parenting Decisions
At Ulasi Law Group, the experienced family lawyers understand that every family’s situation is unique. When helping clients through shared parenting arrangements, several important factors are considered:
- Best Interests of the Child: This is the foremost consideration in any shared parenting plan. Alberta courts prioritize what will serve the child’s well-being, including factors like the child’s emotional and physical needs, stability, and continuity of care.
- Parental Cooperation: Shared parenting requires cooperation between both parents. Ulasi Law Group often helps clients assess whether both parents are willing and able to communicate effectively regarding the child’s needs and decisions.
- Proximity of Homes: For shared parenting to be practical, both parents should ideally live within close proximity to one another. This helps minimize disruptions to the child’s schooling, social life, and routine.
- Parenting Capabilities: Both parents need to demonstrate their capability to meet the day-to-day needs of the child, including providing a safe, stable, and nurturing environment.
- The Child’s Preferences: In certain cases, especially when dealing with older children, the court may consider the child’s own preferences regarding which parent they wish to spend more time with.
- Work and Lifestyle Considerations: The work schedules, lifestyle, and availability of each parent are also taken into account when determining whether shared parenting is a feasible arrangement.
Creating a Shared Parenting Plan
Ulasi Law Group assists clients in creating detailed shared parenting plans that outline responsibilities and time-sharing arrangements. A well-drafted parenting plan is crucial to avoid future disputes and ensure a smooth co-parenting experience. Some essential aspects of a parenting plan include:
- Living Arrangements and Parenting Time: The plan should clearly outline where the child will live and how parenting time will be divided between the parents. This could be a week-on, week-off schedule or another arrangement that suits the family’s circumstances.
- Decision-Making Responsibilities: Both parents should understand how decisions regarding the child’s education, health care, religion, and extracurricular activities will be made. In shared parenting, these decisions are typically made jointly.
- Communication Protocols: Co-parenting requires effective communication. The parenting plan should set out how and when the parents will communicate with one another about the child’s needs, whether through in-person meetings, phone calls, or other methods.
- Dispute Resolution Mechanisms: Even with a well-structured parenting plan, disputes may arise. Ulasi Law Group advises clients to include provisions for mediation or other dispute resolution processes to address any disagreements that come up.
Benefits of Shared Parenting
There is growing evidence to support the benefits of shared parenting for children, particularly when it comes to fostering stable and loving relationships with both parents. Some of the advantages include:
- Emotional Stability for the Child: Children who maintain close relationships with both parents tend to feel more secure and emotionally supported.
- Balanced Parental Involvement: Shared parenting ensures that both parents actively contribute to their child’s upbringing, leading to a more balanced approach to discipline, education, and social development.
- Consistency in Parenting: When parents collaborate, they can maintain consistent rules, expectations, and routines for the child across both households.
- Parental Satisfaction: Shared parenting can reduce feelings of isolation and resentment, as both parents have the opportunity to stay involved in their child’s life.
Legal Support for Shared Parenting in Edmonton
The lawyers at Ulasi Law Group understand the complexities of shared parenting and are dedicated to helping clients reach fair and workable arrangements. Whether you are negotiating a shared parenting plan during a divorce or need to modify an existing one, Ulasi Law Group can guide you through the process with compassion and legal expertise.
Key Services Provided Include:
- Legal consultation and advice on shared parenting arrangements
- Mediation and negotiation between parents to reach mutually agreeable terms
- Representation in court for contentious custody disputes
- Assistance in drafting or modifying shared parenting agreements
When Shared Parenting May Not Be Ideal
While shared parenting is beneficial for many families, there are situations where it may not be the best solution. Factors such as domestic violence, substance abuse, or one parent’s inability to meet the child’s needs may render shared parenting unfeasible. In such cases, the court may decide that sole custody or another arrangement would better serve the child’s welfare.
The team at Ulasi Law Group carefully evaluates each case and advises clients on whether shared parenting is appropriate. If necessary, they also help clients pursue alternative arrangements that better protect the child’s interests.
Conclusion
Shared parenting can be a rewarding arrangement that supports the emotional and developmental needs of children post-divorce. However, it requires careful planning, open communication, and the right legal support. Ulasi Law Group in Edmonton is committed to helping parents navigate the shared parenting process with a focus on the best outcomes for their children. Through their legal expertise, the firm ensures that parenting plans are tailored to meet the unique needs of each family while prioritizing the well-being of the children involved.
For families considering shared parenting in Edmonton, working with a knowledgeable family law firm like Ulasi Law Group can provide clarity and peace of mind during what can be a challenging time.