Parenting Agreement Template

PARENTING AGREEMENT

This Parenting Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into on this day of , by and between Parent 1 Name: and Parent 2 Name: .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the parties are the legal parents or guardians of the following minor child(ren):

WHEREAS, the parties desire to establish parental responsibilities, residential arrangements, and a parenting time schedule that serve the best interests of the child(ren) named above and provide a predictable framework for care and decision-making; and

WHEREAS, the parties agree that this Agreement shall govern their respective rights and obligations regarding custody, parenting time, decision-making, health care, education, and related matters until modified by mutual written agreement or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

NOW, THEREFORE

In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

1. PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

1.1 Legal Decision-Making. The parties shall have the following allocation of decision-making authority with respect to major decisions affecting the child(ren):
Select allocation Joint legal decision-making (both parents must confer and attempt to reach agreement)
Parent 1 to have final decision-making authority for major decisions
Parent 2 to have final decision-making authority for major decisions

Major decisions include but are not limited to education, medical and mental health care, religious upbringing, and elective surgery. If a parent with final decision-making authority intends to make a decision that the other parent reasonably believes will materially affect the health or welfare of the child(ren), the deciding parent shall provide notice and a reasonable opportunity to confer.

2. RESIDENCE AND PRIMARY RESIDENCY

2.1 Primary Residence. The primary residence of the child(ren) for school enrollment, mailing, and custodial purposes shall be:

2.2 Notification of Address Change. Each parent shall provide the other parent with written notice of any change in residential address or long-term telephone number within ten (10) calendar days of the change.

3. PARENTING TIME SCHEDULE

3.1 Regular Schedule. The parties agree to the following recurring parenting time schedule intended to promote stability and frequent meaningful contact with both parents:

3.2 Holiday and Vacation Schedule. The parties shall observe the holiday and vacation schedule set forth in the attached description below. If no attachment is added, the parties agree to the following default allocation:

3.3 Exchanges and Transportation. Exchanges shall take place at: Exchanges shall occur at the following times unless otherwise agreed:

4. HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, AND EXPENSES

4.1 Health Care. The parties shall maintain the child(ren) on medical, dental, and vision insurance where available and shall promptly notify each other of any serious illness, hospitalization, or emergency. Routine medical decisions shall be made by the parent with physical custody at the time, subject to notice to the other parent.

4.2 Extraordinary Expenses. The parents shall share the following out-of-pocket expenses for the child(ren): uninsured medical costs exceeding per incident, extraordinary educational costs, and specialized therapy. Costs shall be shared in the following proportion:

5. COMMUNICATION

5.1 Parent-Child Communication. Both parents shall encourage regular telephone, video, and electronic communication between the child(ren) and the non-custodial parent during reasonable hours. Each parent shall not unreasonably restrict such communications.

5.2 Parental Communication. Parents shall communicate regarding schedules, health, education, and safety matters in a courteous and timely manner. Important communications shall be in writing or recorded by email or text, with responses requested within 48 hours where practicable.

6. RELOCATION

6.1 Relocation Notice. A parent who intends to relocate the child's primary residence more than fifty (50) miles from the current primary residence shall provide the other parent with not less than sixty (60) days' written notice describing the new address, the reasons for the move, and a proposed revised parenting plan.

6.2 Objection and Resolution. Upon receipt of a relocation notice, the non-relocating parent may object in writing and the parties shall attempt in good faith to agree on a revised parenting schedule; absent agreement, the parties may pursue dispute resolution as set forth in Section 8.

7. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

7.1 Mediation. The parties agree that, prior to initiating litigation, they shall submit disputes arising under this Agreement to non-binding mediation with a qualified mediator mutually selected by the parties. The parties shall equally share the mediator's fees unless they agree otherwise in writing.

7.2 Emergency Relief. Nothing in this Section precludes a parent from seeking emergency relief from a court where necessary to protect the health or safety of the child(ren).

8. MODIFICATION, ENFORCEMENT, AND COSTS

8.1 Modification. This Agreement may be modified by a written instrument signed by both parties or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction upon a showing of a material change in circumstances affecting the child(ren)'s best interests.

8.2 Enforcement. Either party may seek enforcement of this Agreement in a court of competent jurisdiction. The prevailing party in any enforcement action shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs as ordered by the court.

9. CONFIDENTIALITY

9.1 Confidential Information. The parties agree to keep sensitive information regarding the child(ren)'s health, therapy, education, and safety confidential, except as required by law or to professionals involved in the child's care.

10. NOTICES

10.1 All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered in person, by courier, or by certified mail to the parties at the addresses set forth below, or at such other address as a party may designate by written notice.

11. MISCELLANEOUS

11.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state in which the child(ren) primarily reside.

11.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters contained herein and supersedes all prior negotiations, understandings, and agreements between the parties, whether written or oral.

11.3 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be severed and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

11.4 Waiver and Amendment. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the waiving party. No amendment shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.

11.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

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