Whether you work on call, need to travel frequently or have a particularly demanding work schedule, your career may be a very important aspect of your life. However, when questions about child custody arise, you may wonder whether your work might stand in the way of maintaining a strong relationship with your child.
How does Arizona law address parenting time?
In Arizona, the court attempts to maximize the amount of time that each parent has with their child as long as that arrangement supports the child’s best interest. As a result, you will not necessarily lose out on time with your child simply because your work involves a busy or demanding schedule. You will have to show that you are willing and able to care for your child while they are with you, however – despite how much time your career demands.
How can you protect your parental rights when creating a parenting plan?
While your career may not keep you from being an active part of your child’s life, you may want to carefully consider the demands of your career when creating your parenting plan. The most effective parenting plans take into account both what is practical within a parent’s work schedule and what is practical for the child. You may also want to discuss how you and your child’s other parent will address changes of schedule, work travel and other demands that might create challenges.
In addition, you should prepare for other challenges that might arise. You may not be able to leave work to pick up your child if they become sick at school, for example. As Forbes notes, establishing a plan for those circumstances in advance can be key to supporting your child’s needs. Creating a plan ahead of time will minimize conflict with the other parent as well, should one of these situations occur.
While balancing your parenting time and your career can be a challenge, it is possible to create a plan that allows you to remain an active part of your child’s life as they grow.