What is a parenting plan and what should it include?

A parenting plan is a written agreement between parents that outlines how they will share parenting responsibilities after a divorce or separation. Many states require a parenting plan as part of the divorce process, and courts often prefer that parents create their own plan rather than having a judge impose one.

A comprehensive parenting plan typically addresses several key areas. The physical custody schedule should specify where the child will be on a regular basis, including weekdays, weekends, and overnight arrangements. Holiday and vacation schedules should be detailed, often alternating major holidays between parents each year.

Decision-making authority should be clearly outlined, covering how major decisions about education, healthcare, religious upbringing, and extracurricular activities will be made. The plan should specify whether these decisions are made jointly or whether each parent has authority over certain areas.

Communication guidelines are also important. This includes how parents will communicate with each other about the child, how the child will communicate with the non-custodial parent (phone, video calls), and protocols for sharing information about school events, medical appointments, and emergencies.

Additional provisions that many parenting plans include are transportation arrangements for exchanges, rules about introducing new partners to the children, provisions for relocation, dispute resolution procedures, and how the plan will be modified as the child grows.

The more specific and detailed a parenting plan is, the fewer conflicts tend to arise later.

DIVORSAY's Custody Tracker helps you build and document a parenting schedule, and Auntia AI can guide you through what your state requires in a parenting plan.