It is only natural for non-custodial parents in New Jersey to want to see their children as much as possible after a divorce. One of the issues that needs to be addressed is how children will travel to and from visitation with the non-custodial parent.
Family law professionals agree that it is best to include the details for visitation transportation in the child custody agreement or parenting plan shared by divorcees. Points to consider include are which parent is responsible for making sure children can get to and from visits, which of the parents will pay for this transportation, and what happens when the parent who is responsible for transportation is late or cannot make it to the agreed-upon location. Divorcees who make it a point to address these issues with legal counsel or during divorce mediation sessions will eliminate the confusion that can take place once the divorce is final, and they’ll ensure smooth pick-up and returns for their children.
One of the first and most obvious considerations is where the transfer of children will take place. In many instances, ex-spouses choose a public location that is not too difficult for either one of them to reach. Parents have also been successful at having the non-custodial parent pick the child up from the home of the custodial parent to start the visitation time. The custodial parent may then pick up the children from the home of the non-custodial parent at the end of the visit.
An unfortunate fact of life for divorced couples is that visitation transportation can sometimes become a point of contention. In extreme cases, the pick-up and drop-off part of the process can become so dysfunctional that safer alternatives are needed. Most communities provide neutral drop-off locations. A lawyer or family court clerk will likely be able to provide parents with a list of these locations.
The process of adapting to life after a divorce is difficult for everyone in the family. It can be especially stressful for children who must adjust to life with one parent in the home while waiting for scheduled visits to see the other. Individuals involved in a divorce with child custody issues may benefit from speaking to a family law attorney about potential solutions.