In a scenario of growing divorce rates in Brazil – the latest “IBGE Civil Registry Statistics” survey recorded a 16.8% increase in 2021 compared to the previous year – we must pay attention to issues related to the lives of minor children, especially when faced with contentious demands.
Parental planning should be discussed by parents before conceiving children. However, reality shows that decisions and choices about their children’s lives are often made without the expected planning and awareness. In the face of conflicts and separations, decision-making becomes even more challenging.
When conflict arises, it is not uncommon to find parents overriding their personal desires and using their children to harm their ex-partner, which leaves children and adolescents in a vulnerable situation, considerably impacting the well-being and healthy development of their younger children.
It is precisely in this scenario of a breakdown in the parents’ relationship, whether contentious or consensual, that creating a parenting plan can prove to be a valuable tool for mitigating the impacts of the changes and adjustments that will be necessary in light of the family’s new routine.
The parenting plan, in addition to addressing basic issues such as custody, visitation, and alimony, can address and help the family structure other issues related to raising children in a harmonious manner, especially in the best interests of the child and adolescent.
Opting for the assisted development of a parenting plan (ideally jointly by a lawyer and a psychologist) encourages parents to properly exercise their parental authority, without transferring decision-making to a third party (in this case, a judge), not to mention the benefits for the children, who will be able to overcome this moment of transformation with greater emotional support from their parents.
