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« on: May 21, 2004, 03:59:57 PM »
I have requested the court to modify existing parenting plan to 50/50 with kids to have equal time with both parents. San Diego court will be hearing our case June 15.
1. Ex wife and I live in San Diego, homes are 5 blocks apart, about a 5 min. walk or 2 minute drive. We are both 5 minutes from pre-school, kindergarten, doctors, everything else in our sons' "world".
2. We have two sons, ages 4 and 6 yrs., joint custody with Mom at 70% and I am at 30%.
3. Both of us are very loving, caring, responsible parents with a good co-parenting relationship. There are no real "negatives" that could be attached to our parenting capabilities or character.
4. I have made significant sacrifices, personally and financially so that I could maximize my time with our sons. I have rejected career opportunities that would double my income because it would require extensive business travel or relocation.
5. I have detailed visitation logs to support my heavy involvement with my sons, including doctor appointments, volunteering at school, taking to/from school, speech therapy, attending t-ball games, swim lessons, etc. Logs demonstrate I have upheld my 30% visitation.
6. Both sons are very well adjusted, happy, healthy with close bonds to both parents.
7. Mother and I both travel on business but have always had the flexibility to work it around when we don't have the boys. 1-2 days/week on average is our business travel (each).
8. My atty advised me to request a parenting plan that has Mother with the boys Monday/Tuesday, I would have them Wed/Thursday and we would alternate every w/e (Fri-Sunday) for a 50/50 split. Atty mentioned that this schedule is what the court has been recommending when granting 50/50 custody
9. My work could accomodate the above plan but also can accomodate a "week on/week off" if that is what the court prefers. I have read that in the case of small children courts typically do not like the kids going an entire week without seeing the other parent.
10. San Diego Courts assign a mediator that interviews both parents for about 20 minutes each, then prepares a recommendation for the judge. The judge almost always rubber stamps the recommendation.
11. These are the pertinent facts, I would be interested in hearing your take on what my chances are for getting the 50/50....and if not 50/50 what the outcome is most likely to be. Also anything specific I should provide the mediator (in addition to the detailed logs) that would help.