Post - Divorce Issues

Parenting Petitions establish parenting and child support rights in situations where two unmarried people have a child or children. Just like a divorce or legal separation proceeding, parenting petitions can result in parenting plans that set forth in detail the respective rights and responsibilities of each party. This can be accomplished by agreement, and in the event of a dispute the court will appoint a Guardian ad Litem. Parenting petitions also include child support in accordance with the guidelines (see child support).

Unlike a divorce or legal separation proceeding where the parties are married, in parenting petitions the court has no jurisdiction to make orders regarding any property issues that may exist between the parties. These rights would have to be established in separate proceedings from any parenting petitions, or by agreement of the parties.