Legal Parental Responsibilities Petition

LEGAL PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES PETITION

Court Name:   County:   Case No.:

Petitioning Party Name:   Date of Birth:

Responding Party Name:   Date of Birth:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Petitioner, , asserts that the parties are parents of the minor child(ren) identified below and seek judicial determination of parental responsibilities and parenting time.

WHEREAS, Respondent, , is the alleged other parent and has been provided notice of this proceeding or will be served in accordance with law; the parties' relationship, history, and the best interests of the child(ren) require the court to make express orders.

WHEREAS, the relief sought is for the allocation of parental responsibilities, decision-making authority, residential schedule, allocation of parental duties and costs, and related orders necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the child(ren).

NOW THEREFORE, Petitioner petitions the Court and requests that the Court issue orders as set forth below.

CHILD(REN) IDENTIFICATION

Child 1 Name:   DOB:

Child 2 Name:   DOB:

JURISDICTION

1. The Court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to applicable statutes because the child(ren) reside in this county, the parties have significant contacts with the forum, or other jurisdictional facts as follows:

DEFINITIONS

2. For purposes of this Petition, "Parental Responsibilities" means the authority and duties of a parent to make decisions affecting the child's welfare, including but not limited to education, health care, religion, and residence. "Decision-Making Authority" refers to the legal right to determine major decisions as defined herein. "Parenting Time" refers to the schedule by which each parent exercises physical custody of the child(ren).

RELIEF REQUESTED

3. Petitioner requests that the Court enter the following orders regarding parental responsibilities and parenting time:

a. Decision-Making Authority: Petitioner requests the Court to grant Shared decision-making    Primary decision-making to Petitioner    Primary decision-making to Respondent

b. Residential Schedule and Parenting Time: Petitioner proposes the following schedule as in the best interests of the child(ren). Specify regular schedule, holiday schedule, summer schedule, and transportation arrangements in the fields below.

c. Primary Residence: Petitioner requests that the Court designate as primary residential parent for the purposes of school enrollment, taxation, and legal notices.

d. Allocation of Parental Duties and Expenses: Petitioner requests orders allocating responsibility for routine medical, dental, and educational expenses, extraordinary medical expenses, and travel costs as follows:

e. Other Relief: Petitioner further requests any other temporary or permanent relief necessary to protect the child(ren)'s health, safety, and welfare, including supervised exchanges, alcohol/drug testing, or relocation restrictions as appropriate:

TEMPORARY ORDERS

4. Petitioner requests issuance of temporary orders pendente lite to provide interim parental responsibilities and parenting time allocations, including temporary custody, temporary decision-making responsibilities, and any necessary protection or exchange provisions until a full hearing on the merits.

NOTICE AND SERVICE

5. Petitioner certifies that Respondent was served with notice of this petition by: on , or requests an order allowing substituted service if necessary.

HEARING REQUEST

6. Petitioner requests that this matter be scheduled for a hearing at the Court's earliest convenience and that temporary orders be heard on the scheduled date. Preferred hearing date, if any:

VERIFICATION

7. I, the undersigned Petitioner, certify under penalty of perjury under the laws applicable in this jurisdiction that the facts stated in this Petition are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Governing Law: This Petition shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Court sits.

Entire Agreement: This Petition, together with any orders of the Court, constitutes the entire statement of Petitioner with respect to the matters contained herein and supersedes any prior oral or written statements between the parties concerning the subject matter.

Severability: If any provision of this Petition is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect and shall be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Amendments and Waiver: Any modification or waiver of any provision of this Petition shall be effective only if made in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right under this Petition shall operate as a waiver thereof.

Counterparts: This Petition may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

NOTICES

8. All notices required or permitted under this Petition shall be in writing and shall be deemed properly given when delivered in accordance with the rules of the Court or when mailed to the last known address provided in this Petition.

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