Parenting Agreement Plan

Separation and divorce can be a very difficult time for everyone involved especially the children. A parenting agreement plan can help to apply child arrangements in an amicable way.

Children need support, love and contact with both of their parents. The Family Court encourages separated parents to agree arrangements for the children themselves without going to Court. An option to parents is to agree the arrangements and have them incorporated into a Parenting Plan which can provide some consistency and security for future arrangements.

What is a parenting agreement plan?

A Parenting Plan is a voluntary agreement that can cover arrangements for the children such as the day to day responsibilities of each parent, any practical considerations for the child’s daily life, how the parents will agree and discuss important long term issues in relation to their children. It can be changed at any time as long as both parties agree.

It is usually the parents that make a Parenting Plan, however, other parties such as grandparents or step-parents can also be included.

What can be included in a Parenting Plan?

A Parenting Plan would be specific to your family and your individual circumstances.  Ideally it should be practical, simple and as clear as possible.  A Parenting Plan can deal with any aspect of the care, welfare and development of  your child, however, the usual things that you may be included in a Parenting Plan are as follows:-

• How parents will share responsibility and consult about decisions  e.g. like which school a child may attend;
• Who the child will live with;
• What time the child will spend with each parent;
• What time the child will spend with other people such as grandparents;
• How the child will communicate with each parent or other parent when not in their care, e.g. telephone, email, facetime contact;
• What arrangements need to be made for special days such as the child’s Birthday, parent’s Birthday, Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and holidays.
• What process can be used to change the Parenting Plan or resolve any disagreements about the Plan.
• Any other issues such as any medical concerns and care.

A Parenting Plan is an agreement between the parties.  It provides a useful record of what has been agreed, however, if there are disputes and these cannot be resolved by negotiation then either party can obtain assistance from the Court and make an application to the Court for a Child Arrangements Order.

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