Navigating Temporary Custody Agreements

The idea of role play has been around for centuries with roots in the Japanese era (1600-1800 AD). The role played by Japanese nobles was that of the samurai, those who served and guarded them. Eventually, role play in Japan was adapted from a traditional dramatic art form and is now known as kabuki, one of the three traditional styles of Japanese theater. Live-action role play (also referred to as LARP or LARPs) acted as a new method of role play that allowed game players to participate in a more interactive experience. Unlike traditional table top role-play, LARP players are fully immersed in the environment, this type of interaction allows for a more in depth experience and offers a better understanding of the characters and their motivations.

Many gaming enthusiasts can agree that whether it be an action adventure game like Hollow Knight, a decision making game like Heavy Rain or even a simulation game like The Sims 4, every game requires a strategy. Players have to decide how they are going to play, what they are going to accomplish and the methods they will use to get from Point A to Point B. Formulating and learning how to effectively execute a plan can make the difference when you’re walking the plank in Sea of Thieves or adjusting to your new environment and opportunities in the real world.

In the scope of a complex life change, such as a divorce and the subsequent request for a comprehensive temporary custody agreement, game enthusiasts may find themselves reminiscing of their favorite strategy games. As they learn to navigate the process, they may surprisingly find that their live-action experience only adds to their ability to offer a unique perspective. A perspective that allows them to not just have fun, but to actually enjoy the process.

A temporary custody agreement is often referred to as a “pre-agreed upon parenting plan”. Temporary custody agreements can serve as an alternative to a temporary restraining order in Florida divorce cases. Just as you would have your character “check” his or her inventory, a temporary custody agreement is used to lay down the groundwork of the relationship, in order to create a clear outline for goal that both parents can agree to. This may involve setting the parameters of the time spent with each parent, responsibilities for things like education/medical needs, even time set allocated to extended family members. The ultimate goal is to allow both parents to create a structure that allows them to co-parent effectively while keeping the best interest of the child in the forefront.

In order to address the concerns other parent may have about a shared timesharing agreement, the parents will have to spend time “walking among wolves in sheep’s clothing”. This is not unlike the types of role play experiences seen in games such as Mass Effect, where players have to build relationships with their characters and determine who to trust, in order to make the right decisions to further their mission. Just as your character can acquire assets, lifestyles, friends and even enemies, all things acquired in the game become part of the virtual “inventory” that you must manage.

Unfortunately, Florida divorce law exists to divide assets and/or liabilities obtained during the marriage. A temporary custody agreement Florida may not be able to prevent the division of assets obtained during the time period that the assets were obtained, but it can help to divide the assets fairly among the two parties. Let’s say you’re playing Borderlands 3, where you come across a threat aka “the enemy”. You have two choices, you can either attack or defend. In a role-playing scenario, choosing one option over the other can affect the game’s playable outcome.

Drafting a temporary custody agreement is much the same way, both parties can choose the “attacker” mindset but they can also choose the “defensive” approach. The “attacker” is the spouse who insists on having ultimately control over the assets acquired during the marriage, while the “defensive” spouse seeks to protect assets and negotiate. The crux of the game is determining which approach is going to be best throughout the overall outcome of the game. In a divorce proceeding this is much the same; the parties have to learn to protect themselves while seeking to actively engage in a process that is intended to be fair, reasonable and designed to promote co-parenting.

Both parties can take the “attacker” role, yet the result can be disastrous. Much like the games Red Dead Redemption, Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor and Sea of Thieves, it’s important to remember that justice and the best interest of the child is the ultimate goal. Just as a game player has to increase their health bar and build friendships with characters in-game, Florida divorce law has created standards that require clear communication and respect between the agreed terms in the temporary custody agreement. Without them, parent without the ability to discuss their child’s needs, may end up in an explorer type situation, having to now identify deadlines, review agreements and communicate any changes.

This may sound like the type of role play you do with real people, but in Florida divorce law, the role you play will depend on the amount of trust and respect you placed in your final agreement. Negotiation is often considered the players most powerful weapon and it can be a critical tool in both live action role play, in video games and in real life scenarios. Learning when to go on the offensive when negotiating, is the key to making negotiations work.

Co-parenting can be a bit like fast-paced games such as Gears of War and Monster Hunter World. Each party has a specific inventory and not all inventory is created equal. As each parent learns to fulfill their responsibilities, they must also learn how to share their “inventory” with the other parent. Just like your favorite video game co-op, if one player doesn’t pull their load, both parties are affected. In games such as No Man’s Sky, the task is to build your inventory so that players can purchase items to build up their own toggles. If a player isn’t doing their job, they risk losing valuable assets and/or resources that can help them advance through the game.

Just as a player must stop purchasing items from certain people to “catch up” and earn the income they need to fully utilize their abilities, divorce law requires each party to communicate and be transparent with their expected needs. Over the years of gaming, gamers have encountered bugs that can cause issues when trying to execute certain actions. Temporary custody issues aren’t much different. While players may rally and report the issue to the developers, in real life both players become the source of the problem but also the solution.

One parent can attempt to file for a modification or a motion regarding the temporary custody agreement. While lawyers and judges try to build a game plan that helps to solve the issue as fairly as possible. Whether it is Guild Wars or wow, serious Gaming Enthusiasts take some of their in-game reactivity with them into real life. So, in a similar manner, parents may find themselves experiencing a temporary attitude shift during custody drops. The only “solution” to this temporary attitude change is to remember the importance of remaining emotionally stable and open to resolving the problem through discussion.

Real life parenting is not much different then what players experience in-game where both parties must learn to adapt quickly and facially from the challenges presented before them. Just as players have to remain focused during difficult quests, parents have to remind themselves that time is on their side. Players can always try again and start back on their entry point if they don’t have time to complete the mission. When it comes to the terms of the temporary custody agreement Florida neither parent has the option of defeating or running away from it.

That is why it is critical to explore all options during the drafting period, to ensure that both parties can live with the end result. Just as the wisest of game players only level up to the next level when they are ready, divorcing parties must also be on a “need” level to proceed. Many gaming elites can agree, when live action roleplay meets inventory management the process is a lot easier for each party. Not only does each party understand their role, but they are better equipped to navigate each challenge. When parents take the approach of a game player, they not only learn how to navigate their divorce, but they also understand that strategizing a great temporary custody agreement Florida is just like completing a quest or leveling up within a game.