Parenting Plans

Parenting plans are detailed documents which outline each parents’ rights and responsibilities for their child. If the parties are unable to agree on a parenting plan, the court will enter one for them. A parenting plan approved by the court must, at a minimum:

1. Describe in adequate detail how the parents will share and be responsible for the daily tasks associated with the upbringing of the child;

2. Include the time-sharing schedule arrangements that specify the time that the minor child will spend with each parent;

3. Designate who will be responsible for:

• Any and all forms of health care. If the court orders shared parental responsibility over health care decisions, the parenting plan must provide that either parent may consent to mental health treatment for the child.
• School-related matters, including the address to be used for school-boundary determination and registration.
• Other activities; and

4. Describe in adequate detail the methods and technologies that the parents will use to communicate with the child.