A parenting plan is a court-approved, written agreement addressing how separated parents will raise their child. It ensures that the rights of both custodial and non-custodial parents are protected, but most importantly, it prioritizes the rights and well-being of the child.
Parenting plans outline parameters for dividing time spent with each parent, establishing communication channels between parents, and determining how decisions affecting the child’s life will be made. It also explains how disputes over the child will be handled. Your parenting plan is one of, if not the, most important documents associated with co-parenting, because it guides and restricts what you and your child’s other parent can and cannot do regarding your child.
If you’re in the midst of a divorce that affects children or you share a child with someone to whom you are not married, you’ll need to consider and abide by the parenting plan. The creation of your parenting plan is one of the most critical phases of navigating a divorce or co-parenting with someone to whom you aren’t married because it sets the foundation for how you and your co-parent will share responsibilities and support your child’s well-being.
Here’s what you need to know about creating and navigating a successful parenting plan.
Purpose of a Parenting Plan
The purpose of a parenting plan is to guide and restrict what parents can and cannot do concerning their child. In general, you can expect your family’s parenting plan to address:
- Decision-making responsibility
- Schedule/parenting time
- Holidays
- Managing extracurricular activities, finances, domestic and international travel, and emergencies
- Communication between parents about the child
- Rules regarding introducing new partners
- How to handle disputes or modifications to the plan
Your parenting plan is a legal document. This means that the court and the law recognize it. If either parent fails to abide by the plan, the court will intervene and enforce compliance.
Tips for Building the Most Effective Parenting Plan
Parenting plans are in place to prevent problems and disputes related to co-parenting. However, these plans don’t guarantee that issues won’t arise. Challenges can happen as time passes and lives change. Some of the most common problems that occur regarding plans include:
- Disagreements over interpreting the plan’s terms
- One parent is not following or respecting the plan
- Changes in the child’s needs or activities as they grow
- Relocation or significant life changes for either parent
- Emotional strain or lingering conflict between parents that affects cooperation
There are several things you’ll want to do when creating a plan to ensure it’s effective and in the best interest of your child. Investing time in creating your plan increases the chances the court will approve your plan and that you and your child’s other parent will remain the primary decision-makers in your child’s life.
The more disputes arise over a parenting plan, the greater the likelihood that the court will intervene and make decisions.
What Every Comprehensive Parenting Plan Should Cover
A comprehensive parenting plan should:
- Include detailed information regarding schedules and parenting time
- Be flexible but clear about the expectations of each parent
- Anticipate life changes, such as school transitions, extracurricular activities, and your child’s developmental changes as they age
- Address a variety of communication methods, including calls, texting, and parenting apps
- Consider how you’ll resolve disputes
The best way to navigate a parenting plan with your child’s other parent is to do your best to maintain open, respectful communication and keep your child’s best interests at the center of every decision.
How a Legal Professional Can Help You Create A Successful Parenting Plan
Working with a legal professional means you’ll have the guidance and support of someone who has experience working with parenting plans and who understands the Canadian court system. They can assess your current ideas about your parenting plan and explain how the court is likely to respond to various issues.
If you’re sharing co-parenting responsibilities and need help designing a parenting plan, we can assist you. Let’s talk about how we can help you build a parenting plan that works for your family and protects your child’s best interests.
At Murphy Family Law, we understand the importance of creating a plan that reflects your unique situation and minimizes conflict. We’re here to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and ensure you feel supported every step of the way. Let’s talk about the next steps and begin building a path forward together.