| Once you have made the decision to divorce, a | | | | good place to express your opinions about your |
| parenting plan can be a valuable tool in a number of | | | | ex-spouse. It is appropriate to list your expectations |
| ways. Not only will it help you design a plan for how | | | | and goals for the future. If a judge reads the parenting |
| you are going to raise your children, but it may also | | | | plan, he will understand that you don't agree on all the |
| help you gain more control during a battle for custody. | | | | details with your ex-spouse without your having to |
| A good parenting plan will help you make long term | | | | spell it out for him. |
| plans for your children that are realistic and help you | | | | Unless there are extenuating circumstances, joint |
| keep track of your child custody calendar. | | | | custody is usually granted to both parents. If your |
| You can find parenting plan templates online, and you | | | | ex-spouse doesn't pose a danger to your child, then |
| can use them to create a plan that is uniquely yours. | | | | you should accept that you will both continue to share |
| Not all families or circumstances are identical so it is | | | | a relationship with your child. Don't try to degrade the |
| important for you to modify the template to suit your | | | | other parent in your parenting plan as an attempt to |
| circumstances. The end result should be a plan that | | | | eliminate him as an equal custodian. |
| addresses the individual needs of your family. | | | | Show that you understand and respect the |
| One of the most important features of an effective | | | | importance of your parenting plan by making sure it |
| parenting plan is that any adult who reads it can easily | | | | follows a template that is presented in a way that can |
| understand it and gain perspective about your family | | | | be easily read and understood. Don't leave any spelling |
| situation. While it is mainly a tool to be used to | | | | or grammatical errors, and have someone else |
| encourage a settlement between you and your | | | | proofread it to make sure they have no difficulty |
| ex-spouse, there may also be a time when a judge will | | | | understanding it. |
| read it. Keep the important functions that your plan | | | | Make sure that the template you follow has a section |
| may perform in mind when preparing it. | | | | where you can describe your parenting philosophy. |
| Your plan should also include a child custody calendar. | | | | This is the most important part of your parenting plan |
| This calendar shows the custody and visitation time of | | | | since it will tell the judge that you have made plans that |
| each parent. The calendar should be clearly marked | | | | include all of the important aspects of your child's life. |
| and easy to read. It is helpful if the time-share | | | | To create a parenting plan that has all of the features |
| percentage that each parent has with the child is | | | | to make it effective, look at several templates and |
| included with the custody calendar. | | | | take the important features from each to create the |
| You should always stick to the facts of your family's | | | | one that is best for you. Include a child custody |
| situation whether you are writing about the past or | | | | calendar to the other information and you should end |
| about current events. Your parenting plan is not a | | | | up with a complete plan. |