Parenting plans are the backbone of every child custody situation, so it’s critical that they contain terms that are best for the children. There are many things that can be included, some of which have to do with how parenting time is handled.
As part of the parenting time plan, some parents opt to include the right of first refusal. This means that the parent who has the child at the time must give the other parent a chance to care for the children if they need childcare.
How does the right of first refusal work?
The terms for the right of first refusal should be clearly stated in the parenting plan. The exact terms can include things like the minimal time the parent must need child care in order to invoke the right of first refusal. For example, some parents may state that it kicks in if childcare is needed for a minimum of 2 hours, but others may opt for longer.
The parent who will need the other parent to care for the child should let them know this as soon as they know. This can give the other parent a chance to see if their schedule is clear and able to accommodate the request. That parent should provide an answer as swiftly as possible.
Every aspect of a parenting plan is important because they all should work to ensure that the children have what’s in their best interests. This can be a challenge to get together because there are so many things that have to be covered. It may be beneficial to work with someone familiar with these matters so they can assist you with setting the plan and covering all the applicable points.
