Co-parenting Plans

Family Law Support

Parenting Partnerships, Inc. provides family life education
that strengthens and stabilizes family relationships.

A co-parenting plan is a contract between both parents specifically designed to provide for children to spend time with both of their parents. A co-parenting plan is designed to minimize conflict and keep parents out of court. It would be difficult for someone else to create a plan that works for someone else's family. Parents know their children better than anyone else and have a pretty good idea of how they want to raise their children. When developing a co-parenting plan here are some things to consider:

1. How will you provide important routines (meals, bed time, homework, etc) in each home?
2. How will you discipline your children in each home?
3. When should you introduce new relationships to your children?
4. What will you do when your children are sick?
5. What about extracurricular activities?
6. What are your expectations about your children's supervision?
7. How will school activities or extracurricular expenses be covered?
8. How will you make sure your children have clothes at each of their homes?
9. What words will you use to describe your children's new living arrangement?
10. How can you stay informed about your children without intruding on their other parent's right to privacy?
11. Who will make final decisions when you both disagree with the other's opinion of what is best for your children?
12. How will you handle hiring other professional services such as tutoring or counseling?
13. How will you notify each other when your children need medical attention?
14. How will you and your children celebrate special occasions and holidays?
15. Who will care for your children when they are not in school or pay for their care?
16. At what age can your children decide for themselves to modify their physical appearance?
17. How will you pay for your children's future education, college, trade school, or other types of preparation to enter the workforce?
18. What about teen drivers? Who will pay auto insurance or pay for their cars?

The allocation of parental rights and responsibilities is a lot to think about when parents are in the middle of a divorce or ongoing custody issues. However, the time taken to develop a plan that addresses some of these questions may save many years of continued disputes that can be costly.

Children need both of their parents involved in their lives. You may not want anything to do with your children's other parent, but that doesn't mean your children want them out of their lives. It is your responsibility as their parents to make sure they do not suffer the consequences of your choices - no matter how good those choices may be for you.

Parenting Partnerships Certified Family Life Educators are well prepared to facilitate the development of a co-parenting plan. All have the necessary training and experience to help parents develop a plan that will work for their family and satisfy the courts.