A parenting plan, often referred to as a “Joint Parenting Agreement,” is a document outlining parental responsibilities for parties in a divorce case. This document is typically required when the parties are awarded joint custody of children.
In reality, a parenting plan may include everything the parents wish to include regarding the child and responsibility for any aspect concerning the child. A standard plan must include:
Where the child lives
The amount of time the child spends with each parent
How each parent receives information and records about the child (healthcare, education, etc.)
How the child will be transported between parents for parenting time
Each parent’s rights when making significant decisions for the child
Restrictions on how far a parent can move with the children
It’s also important for a parenting plan to have a system in place for how disputes should be handled if the situation arises and a way in which parents can periodically review and make necessary changes to the plan.