Whose Responsibility is it to Take My Child to Sporting Events and Other Activities?
While the responsibility of parents to take their kids to sporting events and other extracurricular activities seems like a minor issue, it can become a real point of contention in high-conflict child custody cases. All too often, parents allow their personal disputes to negatively affect their children. For instance, the non-custodial parent may refuse to deliver the child to his or her baseball practices and games on the weekends when he or she is visiting with the child, simply with the goal of defying the custodial parent. This sort of behavior can be upsetting to the child and cause continued strife in the relationship of the parents that may land them back in court.
In all cases filed in a Georgia court after January 1, 2008, parents are required to establish parenting plans, which essentially make all decisions about the custody and visitation of their children. This is the case under Georgia custody law, regardless of whether the parents are getting divorced or were never married. The idea behind a parenting plan is to help parents to think through all issues relevant to their children together and develop an individualized plan that is acceptable to all parties involved. If parents can agree to a parenting plan, they can file a joint plan with the court. However, if the parents cannot agree to a parenting plan, each parent must file a separate plan with the court. The court will then issue a final parenting plan as part of the parties’ divorce decree, legitimation or paternity order.
Some of the issues that a parenting plan addresses may include:
- How much time each parent spends with the child
- How the child will spend holidays, birthdays, and school vacations
- Which parent will make day-to-day decisions for the child
- How the parties will make important decisions about the child, such as:
- Education
- Health or medical concerns
- Extra-curricular activities
- Religion
- Who will furnish diapers, formula, clothing, and other necessities for the child
- Who will transport children to their sports practices, games, and other extra-curricular activities
- How the parent with whom the child is not currently staying can communicate with the other child
- Limits on the child’s access to television, internet, movies, cell phones, and gaming devices, if any
- Listing parents’ contact information at school and doctor’s offices and permitting access to records
Essentially, the parties’ parenting plan should contain a provision that specifically deals with transportation of the children to and from extracurricular activities. There also should be provisions that place limits on the children’s involvement in such activities during the non-custodial parent’s parenting time or visitation periods. However, as children age, their involvement in many different activities tends to grow, as well, and parents need to realize this fact of life.
Child custody and visitation matters can be very complex. If you are facing court proceedings involving these types of issues, you should consult with an Georgia custody lawyer who has the experience and knowledge to properly advise you. Contact us or call today to learn how Shaw Law can work with you to achieve the best outcome possible for you and your children.
Scott Shaw is founder and principle of Shaw Law Firm LLC, founded in 1995 and dedicated solely to divorce, family law and child custody matters that must be addressed and decided in the state of Georgia. Shaw Law Firm serves the greater Metro Atlanta area, particularly the counties of Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, Cherokee, Forsyth, Paulding, Henry, Fayette, Coweta, Newton, Walton, Bartow and Douglas. Schedule a consultation today at 770-594-8309.