Mediation is especially well suited to address issues and concerns specific to children and the challenges of co-parenting relationships.
parenting plans
A parenting plan addresses the schedule for a child and how the parents will make decisions about the child in the future. In Oregon, “custody” does not mean parenting time. Custody means the right to make major decisions for the welfare of a child. Mediation will give you the opportunity to discuss custody as well as issues pertaining to communication, substitute care, parenting philosophies, and even topics relating to new partners.
- What happens if my co-parent wants to move away?
- How do I trust my co-parent to care for our child the way I feel they should?
Mediation gives you the space to write an agreement unique to your family. Mediation provides a perfect opportunity to craft your basic weekly and special occasion schedules for your children. Vacation and holiday planning is a large part of a family’s parenting plan. There are special issues to consider for children under four years of age (“Birth Through Three”). Parting Waters Founder, Linda Scher, played an important role in the development of Birth Through Three materials for Oregon.
parent & child divorce education programs
Parent Education class completion certificates are mandatory if you are filing a parenting plan with the court.
child finances
Determining child support is a required part of a divorce or separation agreement when children are involved. Because it costs more to run two homes than it does one, it’s important that parents begin to figure out their new budgets from the get go. We’ve created a budget spreadsheet for you to use. The state of Oregon has a child support calculator to determine a payment amount meant to balance out the cost of caring for children between houses. We will run a calculation with you once all the necessary financial information needed to do so is collected. You may be able to agree to a different child support amount than what the state recommends if you are able to explain your reasons in your court paperwork.