How to Create a Parenting Plan: Custody & Co-Parenting Guide (2025)

If you’re divorcing and share children, one of the most important documents you’ll create is a parenting plan.

Most courts expect a clear, detailed outline of how you and your co-parent will share responsibilities, divide parenting time, and make decisions about your children’s lives.

At Divorce.com, about 42% of our customers report having minor children, meaning nearly half of divorces we support involve the creation of a parenting plan.

A parenting plan is a roadmap for your family’s new normal. The clearer and more specific your plan is, the fewer disputes you’ll face down the road.

A parenting plan template makes it easier to organize information, set expectations, and build accountability.

Here’s what every parent should know about creating a parenting plan template that works for your family.

What Is a Parenting Plan?

A parenting plan template is a structured tool parents use to decide how they’ll share custody and responsibilities after divorce or separation.

Instead of leaving details to chance, the template helps co-parents outline schedules, holiday arrangements, and decision-making processes in advance.

For example:

• It specifies where your child will spend holidays so there’s no last-minute disagreement about Christmas Eve or Thanksgiving.

• It sets expectations for daily routines such as homework, bedtimes, or school pickups.

• It provides a record for the court if one parent doesn’t follow through.

In short, a parenting plan template reduces uncertainty and creates stability for your children.

Who Needs a Parenting Plan?

If you and your co-parent will share custody, whether joint or primary,you need a parenting plan. Courts rely on it to structure custody arrangements and child support.

Parenting plans are especially important when:

• Both parents share joint custody, and clear time-sharing schedules are required.

• One parent has primary custody, but the other has regular visitation.

• Parents want to document expectations around support payments, healthcare, or education.

If one parent has sole legal and physical custody (rare, usually involving incarceration, abuse, or abandonment), a parenting plan may not be necessary because there’s no shared parenting.

What to Include in a Parenting Plan Template

There’s no such thing as being too detailed. The more thorough your plan, the easier it will be to avoid conflict later. Here are the key sections every template should include:

Parenting Time and Custody Schedule

• Will you alternate weeks, or split weekdays and weekends?

• How will holidays, birthdays, and school breaks be divided?

• Who is responsible for transportation — drop-offs, pickups, or meeting halfway?

Consistency benefits children, but flexibility for vacations and special occasions should also be built into the plan.

Communication Between Parents and Children

Children thrive when both parents stay connected. Your plan should clarify:

• How children can contact the other parent outside scheduled time.

• Reasonable limits (e.g., no late-night calls if one parent enforces a bedtime).

• Respect for rules around homework, screen time, and school routines.

Communication Between Co-Parents

Co-parenting requires collaboration, even if your relationship is strained. Document:

• How you’ll communicate (texts, email, co-parenting apps).

• How you’ll share important dates, medical appointments, or school updates.

• Emergency contact methods if one parent is unreachable.

Restrictions or Safety Considerations

If there are people you don’t want around your children, list them clearly in your plan. Courts take these exclusions seriously when tied to child wellbeing.

Expenses and Financial Responsibilities

Child support covers basic needs, but extra expenses often arise. Your plan should address how you’ll share costs for:

• Healthcare and insurance

• Extracurricular activities

• School supplies and technology

• Counseling or therapy

Some parents split everything 50/50. Others divide by category (e.g., one covers healthcare, the other covers activities).

Holiday and Special Event Schedule

Beyond birthdays and major holidays, consider:

• Religious celebrations

• Mother’s Day and Father’s Day

• Extended family events or reunions

• School breaks and three-day weekends

Alternating years for major holidays is common. The key is writing everything down to prevent future disputes.

Child Care Arrangements

When neither parent is available, your plan should state:

• Whether you’ll use agreed-upon daycare providers.

• Which relatives or family friends are approved caregivers.

• What happens if a parent needs childcare during their scheduled time.

Decision-Making and Dispute Resolution

Parents with joint legal custody must agree on big issues like healthcare, schooling, or religious upbringing. If disagreements arise, will you:

• Use a mediator?

• Follow recommendations from a parenting coordinator?

• Return to court only as a last resort?

Documenting this process in advance can save stress and legal costs.

How to Create a Parenting Plan Template

The simplest way to create a parenting plan is to use a spreadsheet or checklist organized by sections: time-sharing, expenses, communication, holidays, and decision-making.

If both parents can collaborate, working on the plan together helps ensure buy-in. If not, a divorce mediator can help.

Mediators guide discussions, keep negotiations productive, and provide a neutral summary of agreements you can turn into your official plan.

Once finalized,many parents submit their parenting plan to the court as part of the custody agreement process. Courts generally approve parenting plans that are detailed, fair, and clearly centered on the child’s best interests.

The Bottomline

A parenting plan is a roadmap for your family’s future. By addressing details ahead of time, you reduce conflict, build accountability, and create a stable environment for your children.

We make it easier to complete divorce paperwork, including parenting plans. Whether you need templates, guidance, or mediation support, we help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Start your divorce online with Divorce.com because co-parenting works best when everyone knows the plan.

Parenting Plan FAQs

Do parenting plans have to be approved by the court?

Yes. A parenting plan only becomes enforceable once it’s approved by the court and included in your custody order. If both parents agree, judges typically approve the plan as long as it’s in the child’s best interest.

Do parenting plans have to be notarized?

Not usually. Parenting plans are signed by both parents and submitted to the court. Once the judge signs off, the plan becomes legally binding without notarization. Some parents choose notarization for added formality, but it’s not a standard requirement.

Can parenting plans be changed later?

Yes. Parenting plans are living documents. If circumstances change, such as new jobs, moves, or evolving needs of the child—either parent can request a modification. Courts generally approve changes if they’re in the child’s best interest.

What happens if a parent doesn’t follow the parenting plan?

If one parent repeatedly fails to follow the plan, the other parent can file a motion to enforce it.

In some cases, courts may take steps such as ordering makeup parenting time or financial remedies. Outcomes depend on state law and specific circumstances.

Do I need a lawyer to create a parenting plan?

Not always. Many parents create a parenting plan themselves or with the help of mediation. However, if you expect conflict or have complex issues like relocation, special needs, or high-value assets, legal advice can protect your rights.

What should I avoid putting in a parenting plan?

Avoid vague language. Phrases like “reasonable visitation” often lead to disputes. Instead, use specific dates, times, and responsibilities. Clear language leaves less room for conflict and makes the plan easier for courts to enforce.

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