Parenting children together after you divorce can either be a bitter, ongoing test of will for you both or a cordial, successful partnership you can be proud of in the end. It’s really up to you. It’s important to remember when creating your parenting plan that even if your relationship isn’t what it once was you will need to be able to rely on and be agreeable with each other for their sake and quite possibly on a regular basis for a long time, even if you don’t see that now.
First, because successful co-parenting is so important we’ve provided quite a bit of strongly recommended reading here on the subject for your benefit. A good deal of the subject matter in these EBooks will be touched on as you discuss expenses and plan for your children’s future in your mediation session(s) so we feel it will be time well spent.
Telling Children About Divorce Ebook [Adobe PDF]
Making Divorce Healthier for Children EBook [Adobe PDF]
Time Sharing Schedules EBook [Adobe PDF]
Parenting After Divorce EBook [Adobe PDF]
Creating Your Parenting Plan EBook [Adobe PDF]
Transitioning Kids to New Homes EBook [Adobe PDF]
Introducing New Partners to Children [Adobe PDF]
If you need an additional copy of the Children’s Expense Budget we reviewed with you during your pre-mediation session you can download another using the link below. You’ll want to work on this first as your parenting plan session will be the first working with Lori.
Please fill this out and send it along 2-3 days before your first mediation appointment along with your completed Health Insurance Worksheet and the income verification documents we discussed even if you haven’t completed the Financial Information Form yet. Your first mediation session is when you’ll begin creating your parenting plan for your children and both yourselves and Lori will want to have it in hand.
Lastly, the Parenting Plan Topics includes tips on creating your Parenting Statement, a Weekly Schedule Calendar and a Holiday Calendar. Please print these and bring them with you to your first session also, you’ll be working together with Lori to fill these out.
Optional or Recommended Downloads:
RIDMC Children’s Expense Budget [Adobe PDF]
RIDMC Parenting Plan Topics [Adobe PDF]
Very Important!
If you on plan on alternating the Child Tax Exemption from year to year when you both file your Federal Income Taxes after you divorce, you should discuss your intentions with your tax preparer(s) and you will need to fill out and submit IRS Form F8332 along with your tax return documents so they can submit it along with your returns to the IRS when they file for you. They may have an electronic version they can use and fill out for you, but if not you can download and print the form with the instructions using the link below.
IRS Release of Claim for Child Tax Exemption – F8332 [Adobe PDF]
If you would like more information on this topic and other child related federal tax issues just click on the link below to the IRS rules.
IRS Tax Rules for Children and Dependents – P929 [Adobe PDF]
Once you’ve done this just use the navigation menu above or click here go to the next step: Financial Settlement.