Here are seven simple steps to create your own custody schedule:

1. Remind yourself of what you are doing.  Many parents use the custody of their child as a way to get back at the other parent.  This is the completely wrong way to handle this situation.  You need to realize they are also the parent of your beautiful child and unless there are serious issues, you want your child to be part of their life too.  What you really want to focus on is doing what is the best for your child.

2. Be open to all options.  There are so many choices for you to choose from.  Be open to any idea or option available to you.  It may not be what you had in your mind, but you never know when something comes along that will work perfectly.

3. Get down to the nitty-gritty of your situation.  There are some questions to ask yourself before creating a custody schedule.  Once you have assessed the situation and your child, you will be able to better determine what direction to head in.  Think of yourself at a huge Las Vegas Buffet and you know you love chicken but hate seafood, now you can make sure you go straight for the chicken while avoiding the seafood.

4. Do all the research you can on your options.  Find out the different types of custody schedules and how they work.   Talk to friends and family and see what other people have done in your situation.  Read online about the different schedules.  Make sure you realize there are many people how use the tool as a place to rant about their situation.  Do not take anything said as true legal advice without consulting your state laws, court, or attorney.

5. Narrow down your choices.  Pick a few different schedules you believe will work for you.  Share them with the other parent and get their feedback.  See what issues they have with each schedule and find out their favorite.  Maybe two of them might work but they are not a favorite of either of you so be open to creating your own schedule.

6. Make your choice and find the right tools to use.  Decide together what schedule will work out best.  Now you want to find the best tool to help you.  There are many options of using a simple calendar, an online calendar, or a software program that will help you plan out all the aspects of your schedule and track it.  Custody X Change is made to help you to create your schedule and make any changes easily.

7. Implement your plan.  Try it out.  See if things work.  Remember nothing is ever perfect but you can have the best possible attitude.  If there are some glitches, fix them.  You have the ability to make this work the best possible way for your child.

Wishing you luck!

In a will dated July 7, 2002, Jackson designated his mother Katherine Jackson the guardian of his children in case of his death. He also expressed that in case his mother predeceased him or if she became unable or unwilling, the singer Diana Ross would be the guardian.  News reports say that Debbie Rowe, the woman to which Jackson was married for three years when his two older kids were born, is going to seek custody of her children. One Los Angeles news station claims Rowe even offered to submit to a DNA test to prove that she is the biological mother. Other news reports deny this.  However, the guardianship hearing set for July 6 has been delayed to July 13, allegedly at the request of Rowe’s attorneys.

Custody courts tend to favor a biological parent over a grandparent when deciding child custody disputes. However, Rowe voluntarily surrendered her maternal rights in an out-of-court settlement signed in 2006. It has been reported that Rowe obtained certain visitation rights and that she has been relating to the two older children for the last three years. Nothing is known publicly about how Rowe has related to the children. And, if that is true, why would she be offering to submit herself to a DNA test if her maternity has already been recognized?

It will not be surprising if she decides to pursue custody of these children. In that case Rowe will have to contest Jackson’s will designating the grandmother Katherine as guardian, and secondly, she will have to revoke the relinquishment of her maternal rights. Contesting the will and revoking her relinquishment are both extremely difficult things to do. To move a court to declare Jackson’s will invalid, Rowe will have to prove that Jackson wasn’t in his sound mind when he executed the document.

To revoke her relinquishment of her maternal rights she will have to prove that she wasn’t in her sound mind when she signed the document. The revocation of a paternal rights relinquishment is something that the law allows, but only in very extraordinary circumstances. The few cases in which the courts have allowed this, after the 30 day time period the law permits after the resignation, is when the use of violence, duress or mind altering substances has proven to be the reason why the parent “consented” to surrender his or her rights. In any case, the court considering this case, like in any other child custody battle will have to determine what would be in the children’s best interests when making the final decision.

Jackson’s two older children, Michael Joseph, 12, and Paris Michael Katherine, 11 were born at the time of his marriage to Debbie Rowe. A third boy, Prince Michael Joseph, 7, was born of a surrogate mother who has never been identified and later adopted by Jackson.  There is no dispute regarding the custody of the younger boy.

According to a 7 year old will, Jackson designated his mother Katherine Jackson 79, the children’s legal guardian after his death. He also provided for a second alternative, singer Diana Ross in case his mother failed to survive him or became unable or unwilling to act as a guardian. KNBC in Los Angeles reported last week that the children’s biological mother, Debbie Rowe, would seek custody of her two children and a restraining order to keep Jackson’s father, Joe away from them. But, what rights if any does Rowe have on these kids?

Debbie Rowe and Michael Jackson got married in 1996. Three years later they were divorced. During that marriage Jackson’s two older kids were born: Michael Joseph Jr. 12, and daughter Paris Michael Katherine, 11. A third boy named Prince Michael Joseph, 7, was adopted by Jackson from a surrogate mother who has never been identified.

Custody of Jackson’s two older kids can turn into a bitter war if Rowe decides to pursue custody of them. While Jackson’s will is clear, it is still uncertain if his testament is valid or not. It has been only a week since the will was presented to the court for probate. If the will is determined to be invalid, or if there is a more recent will, a Pandora’s Box will be opened, and the road will be free for Rowe to pursue her plans.

Grandmother Katherine’s guardianship rights are subject also to the court’s approval.  Normally, courts do not assign custody to grandparents if a biological parent is available and willing to take custody of the children.  Now, the problem here is that supposedly Rowe voluntary surrendered her maternal rights in an out-of-court settlement subscribed with Jackson in 2006. Can Rowe change her mind and have her kids back now?

It is extremely difficult to overturn a voluntary relinquishment of paternal rights. That is the legal term for a parent to surrender his or her rights over a child.  Although California law recognizes a small window of opportunity to revoke a voluntary relinquishment, the window is very small (30 days) and it is way past due now. The law recognizes only a few extraordinary instances in which a biological parent can revoke the voluntary relinquishment of his or her parental rights after this time frame. These are the cases in which the consent wasn’t given voluntarily like in the case of use of force, or any other illegal means to obtain the parent’s consent, such as duress or using mind altering substances.

Like everything associated with Jackson, it is very difficult to predict an outcome in this situation because anything can happen. Hopefully this custody battle will have a happy ending.