Shared Parenting Responsibility Overview
What is shared parental responsibility?
This is when both parents have been given shared parental responsibility.
What if the Judge orders are unique and specific to my case?
If in your case there is a court order that directly or indirectly conflicts with any provision of this Statement you MUST obey that court order unless or until the court expressly instructs you to do otherwise.
If I was ordered shared parental responsibility, what does that mean?
Both parents are to abide by the following guidelines:
- Both parents shall communicate so that major decisions that affect the child shall be made in consultation with each other. Said decisions include, but are not limited to, education, discipline, religion, medical, and the general parenting of the child.
- Each parent shall diligently remember to encourage and promote, between the other parent and child, good relations, love and affection, spending time with and giving attention to the other parent when that parent has the child. Neither parent shall obstruct, impede nor interfere with the other parents’ right to associate with and enjoy the company of the minor child unless there is a court order that requires such behavior.
- Each parent shall have access to records and information about the minor child including, but not limited to, medical, dental and school records. Each parent, where possible shall independently obtain this information. When this information is not readily available to the other parent each parent is encouraged to obtain and share this information with the other parent. If there is a cost of obtaining information for the other parent that parent must pay the cost to the other parent before that parent has a duty to obtain the information.
- Neither parent shall in the presence of or around the child make any disparaging remarks about the other parent or call the other parent by an obnoxious or offensive name, use slang or curse words when referring to the other parent, or ask the child about the other parent’s private life. Any feelings of ill will, dislike, hatred, lack of respect, or anger held by one parent against the other or held by both parents, shall not be exhibited in the presence of or around the child. The relationship between the parents shall be as respectful and courteous as possible, when dealing with matters relating to the child.
- Each parent has a duty to communicate directly with the child concerning his or her relationship with the child to the extent warranted by the child’s age and maturity. Neither parent can expect the other parent to act as a “go between” or “buffer” between the other parent and the child. For example, if parenting time is missed or changed by a parent and the child asks why, that parent should discuss this with the child.
- Both parents shall be entitled to participate in and attend activities in which the child is involved, such as religious activities, school programs, sports events and other activities and important school and social events in which the child participates. Each parent has the duty to independently obtain knowledge of and information about these events. If information is exclusively or uniquely known to one parent, then that parent has the duty to timely inform the other parent, within a reasonable period of time before the event.
- The child’s legal surname (last name) shall not be changed except by court order. The child shall be referred to by the child’s legal surname in all proceedings (including but not limited to: school, medical, religious, day care records, etc.) and occasions (including but not limited to social events, religious events, school activities, family gatherings, at home, work or play). While legal stepparents often participate significantly in the life of the child and bonds of love and affection are formed, enjoyed and encouraged, each parent must remember that the stepparent is NOT to overshadow or displace the role of the other parent in the child’s life. While it is acceptable for the child to use a respectful name commonly associated with the role of a parent when talking to or about the stepparent, that name shall not replace the name of “Mother” or “Father” (or common derivative, e.g. mom, dad) used by the child to refer to the child’s parents.
- The PRP has a duty to discuss with the SRP the advantages or disadvantages of all major decisions regarding the child and to work together to reach a joint decision. For example, this duty would include an obligation to discuss a decision to remove a child from public school to enroll the child in private school. It would not include a decision to have a child’s bangs trimmed.
- The PRP has the responsibility to offer to the SRP the opportunity to care for the child, whenever reasonably possible, when the PRP is away due to work or other obligations. That is, the SRP shall have a right, superior to that of all third parties, to care for the child in the PRP’s absence, in accordance with the Standard Parenting Schedule (see paragraph K.).
For additional information regarding Shared Parenting Responsibilities, please contact our law firm through this site or call our office today at (850) 434-8904 for a free 10 minute telephone consult.
