If you intend to share custody of your children with your soon-to-be ex-spouse, put some time and effort into drafting a comprehensive parenting plan. This legally binding document describes the rights and responsibilities of each parent.
While good parenting plans have many different provisions, you probably want to put the location of the custody hand-off site in yours. This is the place you meet with your children’s other parent to exchange the kids at the beginnings and ends of your scheduled parenting time.
A potential source of contention
The location of a custody hand off can be a source of contention for newly divorced parents. After all, you and your ex-spouse may have vastly different ideas about where, when and how to exchange the kids. To minimize conflict, settle as many of these issues as possible during your divorce.
A convenient, neutral and safe location
You likely have a seemingly endless number of potential hand-off locations in mind. Because some places make better exchange sites than others, use the interests of your kids to choose the site.
Rather than exchanging the kids at either your home or your ex-spouse’s, pick a neutral location. Your children’s school, a public park or even a popular shopping center may be good options.
Your hand-off site should also be convenient for you, your children and their other parent. A location that is approximately equidistant between each parent’s residence or workplace may be perfect, provided everyone feels safe.
Put simply, by designated a convenient, neutral and safe exchange location in your parenting plan, you start your new co-parenting arrangement on the right foot.