Can this be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states, but local court rules vary and some family-law filings may require wet or notarized signatures; confirm with the court.

Do I need a notary or witnesses?

State rules differ. Some courts accept notarized signatures or require witness attestations for affidavits; remote online notarization (RON) is available in many states with identity proofing and recording requirements. Check local family court procedures.

What happens if names or dates are incorrect?

Mismatched or incorrect names and dates can cause filing delays or challenges to enforceability. Correct errors by filing an amended agreement, obtaining a stipulation, or submitting a corrective affidavit as directed by the court.

How long must I keep the signed agreement?

Retain the original while the agreement is active and for at least three years after termination (IRC §6501(a)); if the record includes health details, follow HIPAA rules requiring six-year retention (45 CFR §164.530(j)).

Can a judge change the agreement?

Yes. Courts can modify custody orders based on the child's best interests. Parties typically petition the court and present evidence; the judge determines whether a substantial change in circumstances warrants modification.

Is an e-signed copy admissible in court?

An electronic signature with a secure audit trail is generally admissible under ESIGN/UETA when it demonstrates intent, attribution, and reliable retention. Courts retain discretion, so preserve metadata, timestamps, and signer identity evidence.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Other
Child Custody Agreement

Child Custody Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

JOINT CUSTODY AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT BETWEEN AND

The parties agree to the following plan of joint custody for the minor child, :

A. PHYSICAL CUSTODY

The legal domicile shall be at the residence of the mother, , who is designated the domiciliary parent, whose present residence is .

The father, , shall enjoy visitation with the minor child as follows, to-wit:

(1) Every other weekend beginning at 6:00 P.M. on Friday and ending at 5:00 P.M. on Sunday. Visitation to begin with the weekend of , 20 .

(2) Alternating major holidays, consisting of Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Easter, July 4th and Labor Day. Visitation to begin with having on Thanksgiving and alternating thereafter. Visitation to begin at 9:00 A.M. on the day of the holiday and end at 6:00 P.M. on that day.

(3) Two weeks each month during the summer, beginning two weeks after school ends and alternating every two weeks thereafter for the months of June, July and August. During these months, weekend visitation will cease and resume with the opening of school.

(4) Alternating 's birthday, beginning with , 20 , with exercising visitation on this day, beginning at 9:00 A.M. and ending at 5:00 P.M.

The hereinabove-specified holiday visitation time shall take precedence over weekend visitation time.

Both parties agree that neither party shall partake of any alcoholic beverages or any other controlled dangerous substances, other than prescribed medication, while in the presence of the minor child.

further agrees that on the weekends of his visitation that he will pick up the minor child from day care or that his sister shall pick up the minor child from the mother's residence.

Both parties shall keep the other informed of telephone numbers and addresses of both residence and employment where each may be contacted, as the parties recognize this to be fair and in the best interest of the minor child.

Except as provided herein, the child shall be subject to rules and regulations as agreed upon by the parents. In cases of dispute, the domiciliary parent shall prevail.

shall enjoy unlimited, unrestricted and unmonitored communication by mail and by telephone with the minor child, , and further, that shall enjoy similar unlimited communication by mail and by telephone when the minor child is in the custody of her father. Neither party may intervene or listen in on any communication by a parent and the child.

Both parents shall have the right to communicate with other individuals who are connected with the medical treatment or school activity of the minor child.

Both parents are to communicate freely with each other as to the custody, visitation and/or any other matters affecting the welfare and well being of the minor child.

The parents shall discuss the minor child's school, school related activities, and the minor child's medical treatment with each other and if there is an honest effort of discussion and the parents still cannot agree, then, and only then, shall the mother, , as the domiciliary parent, make the final decision.

All information regarding school, report cards, conferences, trips, functions, meetings, etc. will be furnished to the other parent as either one of them receives such information. All medical and other information regarding the child's health and welfare will be furnished to the other parent as either parent receives same.

The above types of information must be exchanged by the parents and discussed accordingly. The parents shall not communicate through the child or third parties, or use the child because they refuse to communicate.

Each parent must not ignore the authority and input of the other by the failure to communicate or use the child to inform each other of decisions on important matters.

Each parent is to maintain sufficient flexibility to allow for variations made necessary by the ebb and flow of social, educational and recreational life.

Each parent shall transfer to the other sufficient wardrobe for the child considering the season.

B. CHANGE OF RESIDENCE OF PARENT

may remove residence from the State of Louisiana, and may remove residence from the State of Louisiana. Before or within 10 days after such removal, the parent changing residence shall request a modification of this plan from the remaining parent. If agreement is reached, a joint motion for modification may be submitted to the Court. If no agreement is reached, the party changing residence shall request modification from the Court.

The residence of the child shall not be permanently removed at any time from the State of Louisiana without an appropriate order of this Court.

is to inform of the city in which he intends to exercise his custody period with the minor child, and shall provide to her a telephone number of the residence where he may be reached in case of emergencies. As noted above, each party shall keep the other informed of telephone numbers and addresses with respect to both home residence and work.

C. TAX EXEMPTION AND DAY CARE

shall be responsible for the payment of child care costs.

The parties will alternate the exercising of the tax exemption for Federal and State tax purposes for the minor child, with exercising the tax exemption in even numbered years and Brian Boudreaux exercising the tax exemption in odd numbered years. Both parties agree to execute the appropriate documents necessary to exercise this exemption.

D. EDUCATION

At this time the minor child, is not attending any public or private school. Any future plans, such as the child attending public or private school or other schools, will be discussed by the parents. Each will provide the other with all necessary information. Each parent will make all efforts to inform himself or herself and the other parent about prospective schools. If the two parties cannot agree on another school, the parties will submit this matter to arbitration for a resolution of any dispute.

E. TRANSPORTATION

Each parent is responsible for transportation of the child while in residence.

F. PLAN MODIFICATION

Each party may seek judicial modification of this plan. The parties shall furnish the court any modified plan by joint motion. The joint motion shall be effective after court approval.

G. MEDICAL AND DENTAL

Except in emergencies, domiciliary parent is responsible for all medical, psychiatric and dental treatment final decisions.

Cosmetic surgery, or cosmetic dental treatment unnecessary to the integrity of the dental structure, shall not be undertaken without the permission of both parents. Substance abuse treatment is deemed medical treatment.

H. COMMUNICATION BY CHILD

The children shall have complete, full and free access to communication with each parent. No communication shall be intercepted, censored, or monitored.

I. TUTORSHIP

The parent shall enjoy the natural co-tutorship of the child in accordance with Articles 250 and 258 of the Louisiana Civil Code, except as limited herein.

J. PROPERTY OF THE CHILD

The parents shall have administration of the property of the children provided by Article 4262 of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure.

K. ACUTE ILLNESS

In the event of serious acute illness, each parent shall afford reasonable visitation to the other upon request.

This agreement signed at , Louisiana, this day of , 20 .

________________________________

I agree to the custody terms above

What a Child Custody Agreement Is

A Child Custody Agreement is a written legal arrangement between parents or guardians that sets out custody, visitation, and parental responsibility for a minor. It describes physical custody schedules, legal decision-making authority, holiday and school-year arrangements, communication protocols, and procedures for resolving disputes. Parties may present an agreement to a family court for approval or incorporate it into a court order. The document helps reduce misunderstandings and provides enforceable terms when signed by both parties and, where required, entered by a judge.

Why a Clear Agreement Matters

Use a Child Custody Agreement to record parenting time, decision-making authority, and responsibilities clearly; this reduces disputes, creates enforceable expectations, and provides a basis for court approval or modification. It also documents arrangements for schooling, healthcare, and relocation considerations.

Who Typically Prepares or Signs This Agreement

Practical users who prepare or sign a Child Custody Agreement include parents, guardians, and family law attorneys.

Co-parents negotiating custody outside court who want a written schedule and decision rules.
Parents seeking court approval of an agreed parenting plan for enforcement and clarity.
Family law attorneys preparing court-ready agreements and advising on state-specific requirements.

Agreements can be negotiated privately, drafted with counsel, and submitted for judicial approval or used as a reference in later disputes.

Core Elements to Include in the Agreement

Key components of a professional Child Custody Agreement ensure clarity on custody, routines, authorities, financial responsibilities, and processes for modification or dispute resolution.

Parties

Identify each parent or guardian by full legal name, contact details, and relationship to the child; include addresses and any legal representatives to establish identity and service of notices.

Custody Types

Specify physical custody (where the child resides) and legal custody (decision-making for education, healthcare, religion); define whether custody is sole, joint, or split and how responsibilities are shared.

Parenting Schedule

Set regular weekday and weekend schedules, holiday rotations, school breaks, summer arrangements, pickup/drop-off logistics, and procedures for temporary changes or emergency custody modifications.

Decision-Making

Detail who makes major decisions, criteria for consulting the other parent, information-sharing protocols, and processes for resolving medical or educational disagreements.

Financial Responsibilities

Describe child support arrangements, allocation of extraordinary expenses, healthcare coverage, and how costs like tutoring or extracurriculars will be shared or reimbursed.

Modification & ADR

Include steps for modification, mediation or arbitration requirements, notice periods, and how to petition the court if parties cannot agree on proposed changes.

Stepwise Process for Preparing and Executing the Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, complete, and document a Child Custody Agreement that is consistent and ready for court review or mutual execution.

01

Gather Details: Collect full names, addresses, DOBs, and school information.
02

Draft Terms: Agree on custody, schedule, and decision-making.
03

Review with Counsel: Have an attorney review state-specific language.
04

Sign & File: Sign, notarize if required, and file with court.

Configure an Online Signing Workflow

Configure the online workflow to place signature fields, set signer authentication, route copies, and store an audit trail for the Child Custody Agreement.

Field	Configuration
Signer Authentication	Email link, SMS code, or ID verification
Field Types	Signature, initials, dates, optional checkboxes
Routing Order	Sequential or parallel signing order
Retention Policy	Export PDF + audit trail for records

How eSubmission Typically Works

Typical eSubmission flow for a Child Custody Agreement includes upload, field placement, signer routing, authentication, signing, and delivery of completed copies with audit trails.

Upload: Upload the finalized agreement as PDF or DOCX.
Place Fields: Add signature, date, and initial fields.
Authenticate: Choose email, SMS, or stronger ID check.
Deliver: Send signed copies to parties and court clerk.

Technical Requirements and Integration Notes

Ensure signers have internet access, a compatible browser or mobile device, and any required authentication methods available.

Supported Formats: PDF, DOCX, and HTML accepted.
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace, Box.
Authentication Options: Email link, SMS code, KBA, SSO.

Common Filing and Response Time Expectations

Timelines for Child Custody Agreements vary by state; below are common filing and response expectations plus typical hearing and modification timeframes.

Filing for Approval:

File with family court per local rules; hearing scheduled in weeks to months.

Temporary Orders:

Request emergency relief for immediate safety; judge may act within days.

Modification Petitions:

Notice and service required; courts typically set hearings in 30–90 days.

Routine Responses:

Opposing party usually has 20–30 days to respond to petitions.

Enforcement Motions:

Contempt or enforcement hearings vary; remedy timing depends on court docket.

Milestone Timeline from Agreement to Enforcement

Sequential milestones for completing a Child Custody Agreement guide parties from negotiation through signing, court approval, and ongoing compliance steps.

01

Negotiation

Agree on terms and collect supporting documents.

02

Drafting

Draft the written agreement and review with counsel.

03

Execution

All parties sign; notarize or witness if state law requires.

04

Court Approval & Filing

Submit to family court for entry as order when needed.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Vague schedules that lack exact times, pickup locations, or timezone clarity lead to repeated disputes and make enforcement difficult in court.
Failing to use full legal names for parties and children can cause filing rejections, identity confusion, and problems with enforcement or third-party records.
Neglecting to specify decision-making categories such as medical, education, and religion creates ambiguities when parents disagree on significant matters.
Skipping required notarization or witness signatures where state law demands them can render the document inadmissible for court approval or enforcement.

Potential Consequences of an Incorrect Agreement

Enforcement Delay: Court may take months.

Contempt Sanctions: Potential fines or make-up custody.

Modification Denial: Judge may refuse changes.

Jurisdiction Challenges: Motion to dismiss or transfer.

Financial Exposure: Attorney and court costs.

Relocation Impact: Move restrictions or supervised visits.

Comparing eSignature Vendors for This Agreement

Compare baseline eSignature capabilities and costs for executing a Child Custody Agreement across common vendors; signNow appears first for comparison.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial, no credit card required	Verify with vendor	Verify with vendor	Verify with vendor	Verify with vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No envelope cap	100 envelopes/user/year limit	Verify with vendor	Verify with vendor	Verify with vendor

Frequently Asked Questions About Execution and Enforcement

Common questions about executing and enforcing Child Custody Agreements, including electronic signing, notarization, retention, and court procedures, are addressed below.

Need help? Contact support

Can this be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states, but local court rules vary and some family-law filings may require wet or notarized signatures; confirm with the court.
Do I need a notary or witnesses?
State rules differ. Some courts accept notarized signatures or require witness attestations for affidavits; remote online notarization (RON) is available in many states with identity proofing and recording requirements. Check local family court procedures.
What happens if names or dates are incorrect?
Mismatched or incorrect names and dates can cause filing delays or challenges to enforceability. Correct errors by filing an amended agreement, obtaining a stipulation, or submitting a corrective affidavit as directed by the court.
How long must I keep the signed agreement?
Retain the original while the agreement is active and for at least three years after termination (IRC §6501(a)); if the record includes health details, follow HIPAA rules requiring six-year retention (45 CFR §164.530(j)).
Can a judge change the agreement?
Yes. Courts can modify custody orders based on the child's best interests. Parties typically petition the court and present evidence; the judge determines whether a substantial change in circumstances warrants modification.
Is an e-signed copy admissible in court?
An electronic signature with a secure audit trail is generally admissible under ESIGN/UETA when it demonstrates intent, attribution, and reliable retention. Courts retain discretion, so preserve metadata, timestamps, and signer identity evidence.

Explore Templates

Notice of Abandoned Personal Property Residential Lease Extension Agreement Hawaii Landlord-Tenant Lease Co-Signer Agreement Hawaii Landlord Tenant Closing Statement

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now