Happy Father’s Day to the amazing dads, especially to my own dad and to all of the great dads we have helped over the years.
Psychologist, Michael Lamb, stated “Father’s are the forgotten contributors of child development” and statistics indicate the same. I couldn’t imagine the woman I would be today without all of the lessons, guidance, and support from my dad. When I found myself preparing a parenting plan for my own children, it was a priority to maintain the involvement of my children’s father to uphold my children’s best interest. The following are just a few important points to consider regarding dads in parenting plans:
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Establish Paternity – 40% of U.S. births are to unwed parents.* Tennessee is commonly referred to as a “Mother’s State” which means dads have no inherent parental rights to a child born out of wedlock until paternity is established. Be proactive! Genetic testing orders or voluntary acknowledgment of paternity forms are methods to establish paternity.
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Parenting Plans – Get it right the first time. Future modification of parenting plans is costly, inefficient, and difficult. Parenting plans should focus on quality time instead of quantity of parenting days. Remember, the parenting plan is for the best interest of your child.
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Financially Responsible – Please understand that your Marital Dissolution Agreement or Final Judgment may be the most important contractual obligation you have. Consider the standard of living for your child after the entry of these legal documents, your ability to support your child, and your ability to improve your child’s quality of life.
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Res Judicata – Remember: an adjudicated matter cannot be raised in the future. When you make agreements or neglect to raise an issue before an order is entered regarding your child, you are essentially stipulating that the facts and legal arguments existing prior to the date of entry of the order are resolved. You are prohibited from raising these issues and legal grounds after the entry of the orders and plans regarding your child.
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Be Prepared, Organized and Transparent – Provide your attorney with detailed and or sufficient, organized financial records detailed facts. Look to maintaining a calendar regarding your child and never hide facts as this could be detrimental to your case.
*US Census Bureau