Many couples that are separating on a friendly basis may wish to state in their separation agreements that the access parent will have generous and liberal access.
There is danger in not being specific. Too often the friendliness can disappear as time goes on. There are countless reasons why, but invariably tensions increase and suddenly generous and liberal access becomes little or no access, leading to a court battle, conflict and stress.
What couples must also keep in mind is that the generous and liberal access arrangement leaves what is generous and liberal open to interpretation. What Father may think generous and liberal means may be different than what Mother believes it to be.
In addition, this kind of arrangement will require more ongoing communication between you and your spouse than what might be comfortable for one or both to handle. There is nothing more disappointing to the access parent than to be denied access on several occasions. When the access parent has to keep asking, there are more opportunities for him or her to be turned down and for conflict to develop.
It is always best to specify from the outset in your separation agreement when and how often access will occur and to provide for additional access as the parties may agree. In that way you know what to expect at a minimum. You will be able to plan your life. More importantly your children will know what to expect. Children benefit from predictability and consistency in their routine.
Of course, you can make changes for special occasions but having detailed, specific provisions usually help minimize future conflict for you and your children.
If you’re preparing a separation agreement, clear and specific access terms are essential to preventing disputes and reducing stress for everyone involved. Rose can help you create an agreement that protects your rights, supports your children’s well-being, and provides the predictability your family needs.
