Preparing a Parenting Plan

What is a parenting plan?

This version of a parenting plan is a document that describes how you, as a father, intend to care for your child(ren) should you be awarded custody. The parenting plan should include everything from living arrangements, to after school care and activities. This is something your lawyer, law guardian, and judge will be interested to see.

Please note that other websites may define a parenting plan as a document that both parents create together, ensuring agreement on all subjects.

The parenting plan I’m suggesting to you here, is different in that it is only your thoughts, and the purpose is to show the Court that you’ve taken the time to think out your role and responsibilities. This parenting plan serves to set you apart from other dad’s who may feel they can’t really handle custody, or flat out don’t want it. These fathers may initially, half-heartedly, petition the Court for custody, out of concern that their children may feel unwanted by them, but will not follow through to a trial.

How will a documented parenting plan help me?

This document proves to the Court that you are indeed serious about having custody. It shows that you’ve considered many different aspects and issues that will confront you as a single parent. It’s easy to say that you want custody of your children, but putting forth an effort to build a plan to carry it out is much more intense. So, you should prepare it carefully. It’s not something that will be done in a day’s time.

No matter who gets custody, a new parenting plan will be created in consideration of the smallest details. Both parents will have to agree on that one.

Parenting plan example (outline)

Proposed Parenting Plan, submitted respectfully by ……..

Introduction and case for custody

• State the children’s ages, and any special needs. (How will you handle the special needs?)
• Indicate any special notes regarding how the children have bonded with you.
• Indicate that you are aware that the best interests of the child(ren) are the main consideration.
• Availability – indicate your availability, and if the mother has any restrictions on her availability such as school, or unusual work obligations.
• Health of parents indicate your health, and if the mother has any health restrictions that might hinder her parenting responsibilities.
• Willingness to facilitate relationship with other parent – it is very important that you state your intention to keep the mother in the childrens’ lives, should you be awarded custody. If possible, state how you will ensure this.

Parenting Plan for Residential Custody

• Residence – discuss where the children will live
• School emergencies – who will care for the children, should there be a school emergency? What happens if the child(ren) get sick in school, and need to go home?
• School days – what will the typical school day be like? Who will get the children fed, ready, and on the bus/delivered to school? Who will be home when the children get off the bus? Who will care for them and make their dinner?
• After school activities – who will take the children to after school activities?
• Parent/Child activities – will the children be involved in any parent/child activities?
• Weekends – who will have the children on weekends?
• Summer – who will care for the children during the summer?
• Therapy - (Optional) As a parent, do you feel your child(ren) should be in therapy, in order to cope with the loss of divorce, or other issue? Which parent will take on this responsibility?
• Health – Who will handle the children’s medical needs? Will you continue to visit the same pediatrician, and specialists the child(ren) is currently using? Is there a need for a new doctor?
• Religious – who will ensure that the children get a religious education (if applicable)?
• Holidays - How do you envision that holidays will be handled? Which parent will the children visit for each holiday?

As a rational father, with his children's best interests at heart, you should close your parenting plan by stating the desire to forge a healthy and constructive relationship, for the benefit of the children, with their mother.

For additional parenting plan assistance, feel free to contact me.