Designing Smarter Parenting Plans

05/09/2025 1h 4min
Designing Smarter Parenting Plans

Listen "Designing Smarter Parenting Plans"

Episode Synopsis

Family law experts Annette Burns and Nicole Segueiro-Stoutner introduce SPARK—an innovative method for crafting parenting plans that work better for families during divorce or separation. They share practical advice for creating agreements that stand the test of time while remaining focused on children's best interests.• SPARK stands for Sustainable, Precise, Attainable, Reduces conflict, and Kid-focused• Sustainability means planning for how children's needs change over time, not just current circumstances• Precision requires specific language about times, dates, and responsibilities instead of vague terms like "reasonable"• Attainable provisions recognize real-world constraints like parents' work schedules and geographic distance• Reducing conflict includes respectful communication protocols and clearly defined decision-making processes• Kid-focused plans prioritize children's needs over exact equality in parenting time• Common pitfalls include first right of refusal clauses that create "stalking" behavior between parents• Parallel parenting may be necessary and appropriate for high-conflict situations• Consider specific provisions for international travel based on State Department safety ratings• Avoid provisions requiring identical household routines as they're rarely attainableCheck out Annette and Nicole's book "Co-Parenting by Design: The Definitive Guide for Divorced or Separated Parents" for more in-depth guidance on creating effective parenting plans.- https://amzn.to/48GkJDa