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Parenting Plan

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PARENTING PLAN

Parents’ names: and:

Case No:

This Parenting Plan is submitted to the court:

With the agreement of both parents.

By without the agreement of the other parent.

The name(s) and birth date(s) of our child/ren under the age of eighteen (18) years is/are:

Name Date of Birth

Although we will not be living together, in general the best arrangement for our child/ren is to have frequent and continuing contact with both parents. The well-being and needs of our child/ren are a major concern. When the child/ren is/are in either parent’s physical custody, each parent will provide the child/ren with (1) regular and nutritious food, (2) clean and appropriate clothing, and (3) appropriate medical examinations and treatment.

Decision-making is an important part of parenting and the parent who has the child/ren in their care shall make decisions about the child/ren’s day-to-day care and control. As our child/ren grow/s and change/s and our life situations change, we shall be flexible and cooperative and communicate so we can continue to meet the needs of our child/ren.

In addition, when caring for the child/ren, each parent shall:

• Require the child/ren to obey and respect the child/ren's teachers and the law.

• Require the child/ren to attend all regular sessions of school until graduation, unless excused by medical reasons, the school, the court or both parents.

•

EXCEPT FOR THE HOLIDAYS SELECTED BELOW, OUR PARENTING SCHEDULE WILL BE:

(List days, evenings, overnights, times of day)

Our child/ren will be with Mother:

Our child/ren will be with Father:

POLICY FOR SCHEDULING CHANGES:

In the event occasional scheduling changes need to be made, a request for such change will be made at least hours in advance. Requests may need to be refused from time to time. Neither parent will schedule any activities for the child/ren that interfere with the other parent’s scheduled time.

When our child/ren is ill during a scheduled block of parenting time and cannot be with the other parent, this time will be made up as soon as possible.

UNINTERRUPTED TIME AND HOLIDAYS:

Each parent will have days of uninterrupted time with the child/ren each year with hours days advance notice to the other parent.

Mother will have priority for uninterrupted time in even-numbered odd-numbered years. Father will have priority for uninterrupted time in even-numbered odd-numbered years.

Both of us will discuss with the other parent our vacation plans with the child/ren. “Vacation” is defined as a trip of up to days away from home.

The Holiday Schedule for the Child/ren is as Follows:

(Write “mother” or “father” under the headings Even Years, Odd Years or Every Year. Write the “hour and day” the child/ren will start the time with mother or father under the heading Start and the “hour and day” the child/ren will end the time with that parent under the heading End.)

SPECIAL DAYS
Even Years
Odd Years
Every Year
Start
End

New Years Day

*Martin Luther King Day

*Presidents' Day

Easter

*Memorial Day

Fourth of July

*Labor Day

*Columbus Day

Halloween

Veterans' Day

Thanksgiving Day

December 24

December. 25

Child/ren's Birthday

•

•

Our child/ren will spend MOTHER’S DAY with Mother and FATHER’S DAY with Father each year.

When a holiday falls on a weekend, our child/ren will spend that holiday with the parent they are scheduled to be with that holiday or that weekend.

When a holiday falls on the Friday before or the Monday after a weekend, our child/ren will spend that holiday with the parent they are scheduled to be with that holiday or that weekend.

If the holiday schedule results in our child/ren spending 3 weekends in a row with the same parent, the other parent will have our child/ren the weekend following the holiday weekend. This will result in each parent having the child/ren for 2 weekends in a row.

WINTER/CHRISTMAS SCHOOL BREAK will be divided as follows:

First Part, from o'clock on until o'clock on the child/ren will be with

Second Part, from o'clock on until o’clock on child/ren will be with or

SPRING BREAK is defined as the following time period

Our child/ren will spend SPRING BREAK as follows:

EDUCATION:

Each of us will take responsibility for communicating with our child/ren's schools, to remain informed and to attend conferences with our child/ren's teachers and counselors. We will authorize our child/ren’s schools to release any and all information to either parent. Major decisions about education will be made by: both Mother and Father or Mother Father.

COMMUNICATION:

During separation from our child/ren, we will maintain frequent contact with our child/ren by phone, letter, postcards, video, electronically or audiotapes. Each parent will respect the child/ren's right to privacy to such communication. We will encourage our child/ren to communicate frequently with the other parent and we will help our young child/ren to communicate with the other parent. We will inform the other parent of the address and telephone number where our child/ren can be reached anytime s/he is away from home for more than hours.

Each of us will provide the other parent with our current address and telephone number to allow us to communicate with and about our child/ren.

SAFETY:

We will not compromise the safety of our child/ren. Further, we will

• Personally supervise and control the conduct and activities of a child under the age of years except when the child is at school or in known or usual recreational activities or in the immediate care of another competent person.

• Not operate a vehicle when impaired by alcohol or drugs when our child/ren is in the vehicle or use alcohol carelessly when our child/ren is in our care.

• Provide and use child safety restraints for our child/ren as required by law.

•

•

•

LOVE AND AFFECTION:

Each parent shall encourage love and affection between the child/ren and the other parent. Neither parent shall do anything, nor permit any other person residing in their household to do anything, which would alienate the child/ren from the other parent or distort the child/ren's opinion of the other parent or impair the child/ren's love and respect for the other parent.

READINESS:

The child/ren shall be ready and promptly available for all custody exchanges. The child/ren shall be exchanged with sufficient clean clothing appropriate for ordinary activities. We will arrive on time (no more than 10 minutes early or late) to exchange our child/ren, and we will deliver our child/ren's personal belongings at the same time we exchange our child/ren. We will assist our young child/ren to remember to take the personal belongings and school supplies s/he needs.

HEALTH CARE:

The child/ren shall be provided with regular health, optical and dental care and each parent shall make sure our child/ren take(s) his/her prescription medications as directed.

• In emergencies, each parent can consent to emergency medical treatment for our child/ren as needed. The intent is to take care of the medical emergency first and communicate with the other parent as soon as possible.

• We will communicate with each other on major health care for our child/ren.

• Each parent shall instruct our child/ren’s health care providers to list both parents on the health records.

• Each parent has the right to the child/ren's medical information and records.

• Non-emergency health care decisions will be made by: (for each type of care, place an “X’ under “Mother”, “Father” or “Both Parents”)

Type of Care
By Mother
By Father
By Both Parents

Medical

Dental

Optical

Orthodontic

Psychiatric

Psychological

Special Education

Addiction Treatment

Counseling

Any health care for the child/ren, whether or not covered by insurance, that would result in an actual out-of-pocket expense of over $500 to the parent who did not incur or consent to the expense, must be approved in advance, in writing, by both parents or by prior court order.

CHILD CARE:

The work-related childcare provider shall be chosen by Mother Father both parents.

If occasional (not work-related) childcare is needed, we shall be are not required to offer the other parent the chance to provide this care before seeking someone else to care for our child/ren. The parent who has physical custody shall make any needed occasional child care arrangements and pay any costs.

TRANSPORTATION:

The parent who is receiving our child/ren will pick him/her/them up or arrange to have him/her/them picked up.

or

The actual COSTS of transporting our children beyond miles shall be paid by each parent in the following percentages:

RELOCATION BY PARENT:

Neither parent shall move our child/ren more than miles without our mutual written agreement or a court order.

We shall give each other at least days written notice when a decision to move is made.

The written notice shall contain:

• The new address and mailing address, as soon as it is known

• Telephone number, as soon as it is known

• Date move will be made.

•

OTHER AGREEMENTS REGARDING OUR CHILD/REN:

Attorney Fees: If the court finds one of the parents is in willful disobedience of a provision of this Parenting Plan, then the parent seeking to enforce that provision is entitled to costs and a reasonable attorney's fee at the discretion of the court.

Complete Agreement: By signing this Parenting Plan we state that this written agreement contains the entire understanding of both parents and no earlier written or verbal agreements are enforceable.

Voluntary Execution: By signing this Parenting Plan, we acknowledge we enter into this Parenting Plan freely, voluntarily and without any duress or undo force, pressure or influence and intending to be legally bound by the agreement. Each of us is aware we are entitled to obtain legal counsel concerning any questions we have about this agreement before we sign it.

Duration: Once this Parenting Plan is made an order of the court, by agreement or by default judgment, it remains in effect unless modified by court order.

We understand our unsigned Parenting Plan (or a copy) will be delivered to our attorney(s) for review.

We understand our signed Parenting Plan (or a copy) will: (check all that apply)

Serve as our interim parenting arrangement until a custody/visitation order is signed by the judge.

Be delivered to our case judge to be merged and incorporated into the final order in our case, at the discretion of the judge.

DATE:

Signature of Mother

DATE:

Signature of Father

NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

STATE OF IDAHO )

County of ) ss.

On this day of, , before me, a Notary Public in and for the State, personally appeared , identified to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she executed the same.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the date last above written.

Notary Public for Idaho

Residing At

My Commission Expires

STATE OF IDAHO )

County of ) ss.

On this day of , , before me, a Notary Public in and for the State, personally appeared , identified to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she executed the same.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the date last above written.

Notary Public for Idaho

Residing At

Commission Expires

Enter text✕

What a Parenting Plan Is and When it's Used

A Parenting Plan is a written agreement or court-ordered framework that defines how separated or divorced parents will share responsibilities for a child's care, custody, visitation, decision-making, and day-to-day arrangements. It typically covers a custody schedule, holiday and school-year plans, decision-making authority for medical and educational matters, dispute-resolution procedures, and provisions for relocation or modification. Courts often require a Parenting Plan in custody or dissolution proceedings to support the child's best interests and provide enforceable expectations for both parents.

Why a Clear Parenting Plan Matters

A well-drafted Parenting Plan reduces conflict, sets predictable schedules for children, and creates an enforceable record for courts. It clarifies parental roles, helps guide decision-making during disputes, and supports stability during transitions.

Why a Clear Parenting Plan Matters

Who Typically Prepares and Uses a Parenting Plan

Parents, family law attorneys, mediators, and family court judges commonly prepare or review Parenting Plans to document custody and visitation terms.

  • Separated or divorced parents negotiating custody and visitation with minor children.
  • Family law attorneys and mediators preparing court-submittable parenting agreements.
  • Family courts and guardians ad litem reviewing plans for the child's best interests.

Plans serve both voluntary agreements between parents and formal court orders; parties should confirm whether the plan needs to be filed, approved, or incorporated into a final judgment.

Essential Elements Every Parenting Plan Should Include

A complete Parenting Plan covers schedules, decision-making, communication, healthcare and education authority, dispute resolution, and modification procedures. Detail and clarity in each section reduce ambiguity and make enforcement simpler.

Custody Schedule

Specific regular visitation and custody days, pick-up/drop-off times, and holiday rotations to avoid ambiguity and conflict.

Decision-Making

Define legal custody types and which parent decides on medical, educational, and religious matters, including tie-breaking procedures.

Communication Rules

Rules for parent-to-parent and parent-to-child communication, permitted phone/video hours, and expectations during exchanges.

Transportation

Pickup and dropoff logistics, responsibility for travel costs, and procedures for interstate or international moves.

Dispute Resolution

Require mediation, parenting coordinators, or court procedures before seeking modification or contempt enforcement.

Modification Terms

Triggering events, notice periods, and the standard for seeking a modification in court or via alternative dispute resolution.

Required Information and Core Fields

Child Details: Child name, birth date
Parent Identities: Full legal names
Contact Information: Addresses, phone numbers
Custody Times: Primary schedule
Decision Authority: Medical/education rights
Signatures: Parent signatures and dates

Step-by-Step: Filling Out a Parenting Plan

Follow a clear sequence to minimize missing items: identify parties, define custody and schedules, set decision-making rules, and add dispute-resolution terms before signing.

  • 01
    Step 1: Enter child and parent details accurately.
  • 02
    Step 2: Draft a regular schedule and list holiday arrangements.
  • 03
    Step 3: Define decision-making authority and emergency procedures.
  • 04
    Step 4: Add dispute-resolution, modification, signature, and filing sections.

Customizing and Completing the Parenting Plan Online

Configure an online workflow to assign fields, set signer order, and capture e-signatures for a court-submittable record.

Field Mapping Auto-fill names and dates for accuracy
Signer Order Signers sign in sequence or simultaneously
Authentication Use email, SMS, or ID verification
Audit Trail Capture timestamps and IP addresses
File Formats Export as PDF or DOCX for court

Where to File, Send, and Submit the Parenting Plan

After signatures, determine whether the Parenting Plan will be a private agreement or must be filed and entered as a court order in family court.

  • File with Court: Submit to local family or probate court as required.
  • Exchange Copies: Provide signed copies to both parents and attorneys.
  • Submit to Mediator: Use mediator or parenting coordinator when required.
  • Keep Certified Copy: Retain a court-stamped copy after filing.

Digital Signing and eSubmission Essentials

Use an eSignature platform that supports secure signing, an audit trail, and export to court-acceptable formats.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX supported
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA options
  • Integrations: Works with common cloud storage

Ensure the platform complies with ESIGN/UETA and stores a full audit trail and tamper-evident signed files for court submission.

Typical Timelines and Filing Expectations

Timelines vary by jurisdiction: some courts require a Parenting Plan at mediation or at time of final hearing, others accept it as part of the divorce decree.

Mediation Deadline:

Often required before court hearing, varies by county

Pre-Trial Exchange:

Courts may require plan submission weeks before trial

Final Hearing:

Plan presented for judicial approval during hearing

Post-Approval Copies:

Obtain court-stamped copies after entry

Modification Notice:

Provide required notice per local rules before filing modification

Key Milestones from Draft to Enforceable Order

Sequence the process to move from negotiation to an enforceable court order in logical stages.

01

Draft Agreement

Parents negotiate terms and prepare a written plan.

02

Signatures Obtained

Both parents sign; consider notarization if preferred.

03

File with Court

Submit plan with petition or request for approval.

04

Court Approval

Judge incorporates plan into final custody order.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing a Parenting Plan

  • Vague scheduling language that leads to differing interpretations and frequent disputes between parents.
  • Failing to address holidays, school breaks, and special occasions, causing last-minute conflicts and court petitions.
  • Omitting clear decision-making authority for medical or school emergencies, which delays timely care.
  • Not specifying relocation notice and travel provisions, which can result in emergency motions and contested hearings.

Consequences of an Incomplete or Incorrect Parenting Plan

Enforcement Motions: Court contempt or enforcement
Temporary Orders: Judge issues interim custody arrangements
Increased Fees: Higher attorney and court costs
Child Disruption: Unstable routine for the child
Delayed Resolution: Longer court timelines
Potential Sanctions: Fines or counsel fee awards

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Parenting Plan Workflows

Compare baseline capabilities and pricing for electronic signing platforms commonly used to execute Parenting Plans and export court-ready signed files.

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 Yes, 7-day trial Yes, varies Yes, varies Yes, varies Yes, varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes Limited
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No envelope cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Frequently Asked Questions About Parenting Plans

Answers to common practical and legal questions when creating, signing, filing, or modifying a Parenting Plan.


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