What Co-Parents Need to Know Before the School Year Starts

We’re halfway through the summer, which means that, once again, it’s time to start preparing for the upcoming school year. For parents involved in custody and support matters, there are a number of additional items that they need to add to their checklist heading into the fall.

Legal Custody and School

Legal Custody decisions regarding education can go far beyond school selection. They can include decisions regarding special education services, IEP determinations, course selection for middle and high school students, school sports, and tutoring. It’s important for parents to begin planning and collaborating on these issues early so that neither parent feels the need to make a unilateral decision because of a looming deadline. It’s especially important to work to be transparent and collaborative with older children, who have started to express strong opinions about their school-related extracurricular activities and sports and their preferred areas of academic focus. The earlier parents can map out the legal custody issues that may arise in the new school year, the easier it will be to co-parent appropriately.

Back-To-School Shopping

For parents who have a child support Order, it’s not uncommon to question what is included in that basic support number and how big purchases, like back-to-school shopping, should be apportioned between the parties. Back-to-school supplies and clothing aren’t mentioned at all in the support guidelines, and so the default assumption is often that both parents should work to ensure that the children have everything they need at each parent’s respective homes. These can be, however, major purchases, and as children get older and technology advances, it may make little sense for parents to duplicate supplies at their homes. It may be wisest to agree on a provision which delineates how back-to-school supplies are paid for and what is included under the umbrella to simplify the matter for all parties involved.

Physical Custody and the First Day of School

For parents who always want to be present for their children’s first day at school and want to be present for all of the photographs on that morning, it makes sense to ensure that there is a provision in their custody agreement addressing the same. This is one of those milestone moments that may slip below the radar when parents are coming to a final custody agreement. It can always help, however, to have a clear plan in place for any special moments so that the whole family knows what to expect on the day in question. Custody agreements can be custom tailored to fit a specific family’s needs and the first day of school is a perfect example of the type of event that can be specifically defined and covered in an agreement.

If you’re facing a custody issue, connect with one of Obermayer’s family law attorneys to get the guidance and support you need to move forward with confidence.

The information contained in this publication should not be construed as legal advice, is not a substitute for legal counsel, and should not be relied on as such. For legal advice or answers to specific questions, please contact one of our attorneys.