Parenting Plans and Visitation Schedules in Maryland: Guidance from Expert Mediator Susan Buckingham
Creating a clear and durable parenting plan is one of the most important steps families take after separation or divorce. In Maryland, courts require parents to establish detailed parenting plans and visitation schedules to ensure children experience stability, structure, and fairness as they adjust to a new family dynamic.
At Maryland Center for Mediation Counseling and Coaching, LLC (Maryland-Mediation.Services), we guide families through this process with compassion and structure. Under the leadership of Susan Buckingham—a nationally respected social worker, parenting coach, and certified mediator—we help parents design parenting plans and visitation schedules that reduce conflict, prioritize children’s needs, and withstand the test of time.
Why Parenting Plans Matter
A parenting plan serves as a roadmap for how parents will share time, responsibilities, and decision-making for their children. Maryland courts emphasize the importance of having written, enforceable agreements because they:
- Provide clarity by eliminating ambiguity and reducing conflict.
- Offer consistency so children know what to expect in their daily routines.
- Ensure fairness by balancing each parent’s rights and responsibilities.
- Support flexibility to adapt as children grow or circumstances change.
The Role of Susan Buckingham
As both a social worker and a mediator, Susan Buckingham brings unique expertise to the creation of parenting plans. Unlike purely legal mediators, Susan blends conflict-resolution skills with trauma-informed coaching. She helps parents move beyond hostility and develop practical agreements that reflect both the court’s expectations and the family’s reality.
Her approach includes:
- Parenting coaching to improve communication and reduce conflict.
- Mediation sessions to negotiate fair visitation schedules.
- Conflict resolution strategies tailored to high-stress family dynamics.
- Child-centered planning that focuses on what is best for children at every age.
Parents who work with Susan find that she transforms tense negotiations into constructive conversations.
What Goes Into a Maryland Parenting Plan
A comprehensive parenting plan in Maryland usually includes:
- Time-Sharing Schedule – Weekday, weekend, and overnight arrangements.
- Holiday & Vacation Schedules – Specific plans for holidays, birthdays, and school breaks.
- Decision-Making Authority – How parents will share decisions on education, healthcare, extracurriculars, and religion.
- Transportation & Exchanges – Who picks up, where, and how transitions are handled.
- Communication Protocols – Rules for parent-to-parent communication and parent-child contact.
- Dispute Resolution Steps – Clear methods to handle disagreements without rushing back to court.
- Flexibility Clauses – Provisions for modifying the plan if circumstances change.
By including these elements, parents create a parenting plan that is detailed, enforceable, and easier to follow.
Mediation for Parenting Plans in Maryland
Maryland courts strongly encourage parents to use mediation when creating or modifying a parenting plan. Mediation offers significant advantages over courtroom battles:
- Cost-effective: Mediation is far less expensive than litigation.
- Confidential: Mediation sessions are private, unlike public trials.
- Faster: Parents often reach agreement in weeks rather than months.
- Durable: Parents are more likely to follow a plan they created together.
- Child-focused: Mediation keeps the emphasis on the child’s best interests.
At Maryland-Mediation.Services, Susan Buckingham uses mediation not just to resolve disputes but also to coach parents toward healthier co-parenting practices.
Challenges in Developing Parenting Plans
Designing a strong parenting plan is not always easy. Parents often face challenges such as:
- Conflicting work schedules.
- One parent requesting relocation.
- High levels of mistrust or hostility.
- Children with special needs requiring unique accommodations.
Susan Buckingham’s trauma-informed approach helps parents overcome these challenges. By combining structured mediation with personalized coaching, she ensures that even high-conflict families can build workable agreements.
How to Begin the Parenting Plan Process
The process at Maryland-Mediation.Services is straightforward and supportive:
- Initial Consultation – Discuss goals, challenges, and children’s needs with Susan.
- Information Gathering – Share work schedules, school calendars, and other important details.
- Mediation Sessions – Negotiate the terms of your parenting plan and visitation schedule with Susan’s guidance.
- Drafting the Agreement – Finalize a written parenting plan ready for court approval.
- Court Submission – File the plan for judicial approval, making it enforceable.
- Ongoing Coaching – Access Susan’s support if future modifications or disputes arise.
Why Families Choose Maryland-Mediation.Services
Our center is more than a mediation provider—we are a support system. Families choose us because we:
- Offer comprehensive support through mediation, counseling, and coaching.
- Provide a child-focused approach rooted in Susan Buckingham’s social work background.
- Help parents design parenting plans that are realistic, enforceable, and tailored to their family.
- Deliver long-term guidance, not just one-time solutions.
Internal Links (to Maryland-Mediation.Services)
- Parenting Plan Mediation Services
- Visitation Schedule Support
- Mediation and Counseling Programs
- Meet Susan Buckingham
External Links
- Maryland Courts: Parenting Plans
- American Bar Association: Custody Mediation Overview
- Mediate.com: Parenting Plan Guidelines
- Child Mind Institute: Helping Kids Cope with Divorce
Conclusion
A thoughtful, detailed parenting plan is the foundation of healthy co-parenting after divorce or separation. In Maryland, these plans protect children, reduce conflict, and provide parents with a clear roadmap for the future.
With the guidance of Susan Buckingham, a trusted social worker, mediator, and parenting coach, families at Maryland-Mediation.Services can create parenting plans and visitation schedules that bring stability, fairness, and peace of mind.
👉 Take the first step today by visiting Maryland-Mediation.Services and scheduling your consultation 571-839-5301
