Tips for a Smooth Child Custody and Visitation Schedule

Baton Rouge traffic is challenging during rush hours. No one who does not know exactly where they are going and how to get there should be on the streets between 6 AM and 8 AM and 4 PM and 6 PM. They are just in the way of people anxious to arrive. Traffic adds to the stress of picking up and delivering children during custody changes and for scheduled visitation.

A good working relationship with your former partner is the key to dealing with the unpredictable nature of modern local travel. If, however, you are dealing with someone on the other side who insists on an inflexible timetable for pick up and delivery, advance planning can help. Planning should start before you sign your consent judgment on custody and visitation. Before you come up with your child custody and visitation schedule, consider the following.

• Think about traffic patterns, your work schedule, and whether you can get someone to stand in for you if you cannot pick up the children yourself.
• Think about whether that person’s appearance at the point of exchange will be acceptable to your former “other”.
• Pick a point of exchange that is away from the most congested routes and make sure the way to get there is not across the I-10 Bridge at 4:00 PM on a Friday.

There is a great temptation to think that you can deal with these details later. Don’t give in to it. Be prepared.