What Is a Parenting Plan?

A parenting plan — also called a custody agreement or parenting agreement — is a written document that details how divorced or separated parents will share time with their children and make decisions about their upbringing. Most states require parents to submit a parenting plan as part of any divorce or separation involving minor children.

A detailed, thoughtful parenting plan reduces conflict by addressing potential areas of disagreement in advance. Parents who negotiate their own parenting plan typically have better compliance and less post-divorce litigation than those whose plan is imposed by a court.

What a Parenting Plan Should Include

Physical custody schedule — the specific schedule for where the child lives each day, including weekdays, weekends, and alternating arrangements. The more specific, the better.

Holiday and vacation schedule — how major holidays, school breaks, and vacations are divided or alternated. This is often the most contentious part of a parenting plan and benefits from addressing every holiday explicitly.

Legal custody — which parent makes major decisions about education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities, and how disagreements are resolved.

Transportation — who provides transportation for exchanges, where exchanges occur, and who is responsible for transportation costs for extracurricular activities.

Communication — how parents communicate with each other about the child, the preferred method and response time expectations, and whether a co-parenting app will be used.

Dispute resolution — how conflicts about the parenting plan will be resolved — through mediation, a parenting coordinator, or court.

Modification procedures — under what circumstances the plan can be modified and what process will be followed.

Healthcare and school — which parent has the child's health insurance, how uncovered medical expenses are shared, and which parent is primary contact with the school.