Alaska Parenting Plans and Custody Agreements - Laws From the Alaska Family Code

Title 25 in the Alaska Code is the Alaska Family Code.be more involved when parents are not able to get
This section of law contains all the information aboutalong.
family matters, and includes all of the information aboutSection 25.24.150 Part C of the law explains that all
child custody in the state. These are important lawscustody decisions must be made with the best interest
for parents in a custody situation to know becauseof the child in mind. This particularly applies to the
they are the guidelines for the entire custodycreation of the parenting plan. The plan must focus on
proceeding process. Some of the most important lawswhat the child needs. Some of the factors that the
in the Code explain how an Alaska custodystate acknowledges that affect the best interest of
agreement should be made and how that agreementthe child include: the physical, emotional, religious, social,
is accepted by the court. Since the custodyand mental needs of the child; the capability and desire
agreement is the document that has the most impactof each parent to meet those needs; the child's
on custody arrangements, the mother and fatherpreference for custody arrangements; the love and
should especially learn the rules that govern them. Hereaffection between each parent and the child; the length
is an overview of some of laws that parents shouldof time the child has lived in a stable environment; the
know for their agreement.capacity of each parent to encourage the child to
To begin with, the court has authority to makehave contact with the other parent; and if there has
changes to the parenting plan or custody agreement.been any history of domestic violence or criminal
Section 25.24.150 explains that when parents separate,behavior.
the court in Alaska is given authority to create custodyParents need to consider these factors as they make
and visitation arrangements, change thosethe agreement. For example, if the child is older and
arrangements, or vacate those arrangements. Thishas a strong opinion about what parent s/he wants to
means that, ultimately, the parenting plan is in the handslive with, the parents should listen to that opinion. And,
of the court. The plan must be accepted by the courteach parent should take care to encourage the child to
in order to be valid, and the court will uphold the plan byhave a relationship with the other parent. If parents
law. However, if there is a need, the court can alsolook at all of these factors and focus on the child's
change that plan. If parents are able to work togetherwelfare, they will be able to make a parenting plan that
on the agreement the court will generally accept it withworks for their situation and that will also be accepted
no problems. In these situations everyone is usuallyby the court.
more satisfied with the general result. The court has to