Make sure that if you have multiple children and are unable to get the tax credit for both/all, that you make sure that you get the tax credit for the youngest child. 

At some point the child will be old enough to get a car/need car insurance. Make sure that both parties are equally (legally and financially) responsible for payment of car insurance and that who that asset is titled in (child cannot legally sign title for the car) 

Make sure there is language that each parent will within a date time frame cooperate with obtaining passports, OR the requesting parent can receive them by default. 

Given the unhinged nature of some of the people getting separated, they tend to want to get their child put on medication, which may not be in their best interest. 

Insert language that both parties must agree (not a doctor). 

Require the decree have specific information (and consequences) for contact by the other parent. This can be during normal time away, special occasions, etc.

Make the agreement ironclad, referencing specific days (Mon-Sun) and/or times with locations 

Write in “right of first refusal” for when the other parent cannot do their visitation time.  – Jeff Morgan 

Make sure the agreement accounts for ALL holidays (get a calendar) and/or special days and life events. This will/can include:

• Funerals for relatives 
• Graduations
• Weddings 
• Severe illnesses of relatives

Have agreement where either each parent pays half upon MUTUAL AGREEMENT of the educational or extracurricular activity, and/or the requesting person pays the full cost of said activity(ies).

Agreement will state that for activities (school, extra curricular, etc.) that BOTH parties will be invited (72hr min notification) and are able to attend the event. 

Some have reported a more favorable outcome after taking a parenting course. This site offers a free parenting certification program.

Make the agreement where if one parent moves, then that parent loses primary custody, for example. 

Parent with new boyfriend/girlfriend, provides at their cost (or not) a background check to the other parent upon 7 days from request date and consequences for not providing information timely. 

– Jeff Morgan

Resolving conflicts post-decree in a divorce can be challenging, but it’s crucial for the well-being of everyone involved. Here are some bullet points for conflict resolution in a post-decree situation:

1. Open Communication:

   • Foster open and honest communication between both ex-spouses.
   • Encourage respectful dialogue, even in the face of disagreement.

2. Mediation:

   • Consider mediation as a method for resolving disputes.
   • Engage a neutral third party to help facilitate discussions and find common ground.

3. Focus on the Child’s Best Interest:

   • Keep the child’s best interests at the forefront of any decision-making process.
   • Prioritize the child’s well-being over personal grievances.

4. Set Realistic Expectations:

   • Establish realistic expectations for each party’s roles and responsibilities post-decree.
   • Clarify any ambiguities in the divorce decree to prevent future misunderstandings.

5. Legal Consultation:

   • Seek legal advice when necessary to ensure that both parties understand their rights and responsibilities.
   • Consult with an attorney to explore potential solutions and alternatives.

6. Consistency in Co-Parenting:

   • Strive for consistency in co-parenting practices to provide stability for the child.
   • Maintain a unified front on major parenting decisions.

7. Use a Neutral Platform:

   • Utilize neutral communication platforms or tools for discussing important matters.
   • Keep written records of agreements and communications.

8. Review and Update Agreements:

   • Periodically review and, if needed, update parenting plans, custody arrangements, and support agreements.
   • Ensure that agreements reflect the current needs and circumstances of both parties.

9. Therapeutic Support:

   • Consider involving a family therapist or counselor to facilitate discussions and provide emotional support.
   • Utilize therapy for both the parents and the child to navigate emotional challenges.

10. Conflict Resolution Training:

    • Attend conflict resolution or co-parenting classes to learn effective communication and problem-solving skills.
    • Acquire tools for managing emotions during challenging discussions.

11. Mutual Respect:

    • Foster a sense of mutual respect between both ex-spouses.
    • Avoid engaging in hostile or negative behavior that can escalate conflicts.

12. Flexible Problem-Solving:

    • Be flexible in finding solutions that accommodate the changing needs of both parties.
    • Focus on finding common ground and compromise rather than maintaining a rigid stance.

13. Time-Outs:

    • Agree on implementing “time-outs” during heated discussions to allow emotions to settle before continuing the conversation.
    • Avoid making impulsive decisions during emotionally charged moments.

14. Parenting Coordination:

    • Consider involving a parenting coordinator to assist in making decisions related to the child’s upbringing.
    • Use this professional to help resolve disputes and offer guidance on parenting matters.

Remember, the goal is to create a healthy and stable environment for the child, even in the face of post-decree conflicts. Patience, empathy, and a willingness to cooperate are essential in moving towards resolution.

Handling children’s cell phones in a divorced family can be a delicate matter. Here are some bullet points to consider:

1. Communication and Agreement:

   • Maintain open communication with the other parent.
   • Establish clear agreements on cell phone usage and rules.

2. Consistency:

   • Strive for consistency in rules and expectations between both households.
   • Ensure that both parents are on the same page regarding screen time, app usage, and other guidelines.

3. Parental Controls:

   • Implement parental controls on the child’s device to manage and monitor usage.
   • Discuss and agree on appropriate restrictions and filtering settings.

4. Emergency Contact Information:

   • Ensure that both parents have access to important emergency contact information stored in the child’s phone.

5. Shared Calendar:

   • Use a shared calendar or communication platform to coordinate and update each other on the child’s schedule, including device usage.

6. Respect Privacy:

   • Respect the child’s privacy while also emphasizing responsible online behavior.
   • Discuss with the child about the importance of sharing any concerns they may have about their online experiences.

7. Device Usage Schedule:

   • Develop a consistent schedule for when the child can use their phone, especially during school nights.
   • Agree on bedtime rules and when electronic devices should be put away.

8. Financial Responsibilities:

   • Clarify financial responsibilities related to the cell phone, such as who pays for the device, plan, and any additional features.

9. Unified Approach to Discipline:

   • Present a unified front when it comes to disciplinary actions related to the child’s phone usage.
   • Discuss and agree on consequences for misuse and stick to them.

10. Education and Awareness:

    • Educate both parents about the latest apps, online trends, and potential risks.
    • Foster an ongoing dialogue about digital safety and responsible online behavior.

11. Regular Check-Ins:

    • Schedule regular check-ins between both parents to discuss any concerns or changes related to the child’s cell phone usage.

12. Flexibility and Adaptability:

• Be open to adjusting rules and agreements as the child grows older and their needs change.
• Adapt to new technologies and challenges that may arise in the digital landscape.

Remarriage 

Income variances 

Pictures/videos, etc of the children cannot be posted on the new significant other/spouse social media. 

neither party can have othernight guests (male/female) during visitation. 

Neither party is to refer to their new significant other as dad/mom/mother/father to the child while in or out of their care. 

Neither part is to refer to the other parent by anything other than mom/dad/mother/father, etc. 

Use the audio (and/or) video recorder that you used when you first started going through this to fend off the “silver bullet” and take pictures/video EVERY drop off and pick up with your children. 

As reported, 80+ % of allegations are false and its the primary go to for exes. Too many stories of exes claiming you abused a child, “finding” scrapes, cuts, etc. and using that to take your custody away. 

At EVERY drop off and pick up, you should take a few pictures of your child from various angles, date stamped, so that in the event you receive an allegation, you can quickly squash it with the evidence.

Can store this information in your phone OR use an email account (recommend having an email account that can be used as a “diary”, which can then be given to the child when they come of age. 

More often than not, your divorce involved titled property (i.e. house/car etc.).

Put language in the decree that states that the person keeping the property has X period of time to have your name removed with documented proof sent to you by X date/event. Put REPERCUSSIONS in the decree for failure to do so, such as:

• Default judgement of X per day/month/year 
• Titled property will revert to the other person at their expense with no need to go back to court
• House will be sold/put on the market (and put specific language on how this will work) 

Understand that lenders are not necessarily bound by your divorce decree. For example, the mortgage company has no reason to remove your name from the mortgage and a divorce decree, although a legal document, does not automatically mean it will be removed.

If you have a Munchhausen by proxy parent that likes to take your child to the doctor for no reason or tries to shop your child around this will stop the games or they can pay for it out of their own pocket.

Actual language put into decree:

“Each party shall pay the health care expenses as defined in this paragraph incurred by that parent until each parent has incurred uncovered health care expense in excess of$ 1,000.00 per calendar year at which time the parents shall begin the reimbursement of health care expenses for those sums that exceed $1,000.00 per calendar year. Father’s share of unreimbursed mental health expenses for the children is capped at a maximum of $2,400.00 per vear. A calendar year is January 1st through December 31st. If there is to be reimbursement then Father shall pay 50% and Mother shall pay 50% of the reasonable and necessary health care expenses incurred by the children provided that the expenses incurred by that parent exceed $1,000.00 per year.”

— Robert Garza