What is a Parenting Plan, and What Are the Benefits?
What is A Parenting Plan?
A parenting plan is a written document between separated parents that provides clear guidelines so that parents and their children know what to expect and if needed, provide the Court something to enforce if a parent is being excluded from their child’s life. All parents going through a divorce or custody case must include a written parenting plan with their final judgment, so a parenting plan is not only a good idea but a requirement.
The parenting plan lays out how you will share custody (decision-making), time, and other parenting duties. Some parenting plans also include communication guidelines. Parenting plans are created to help facilitate consistency in the lives of both children and their parents.
Depending on your situation, parenting plans can be more or less detailed. At a minimum, your plan will need to include how much time a child will spend with their noncustodial parent.
Other details covered in a parenting plan can include provisions related to logistics, like transportation, telephone use, relocation of parents, or how disputes will be handled as they arise. Even details about birthdays and vacations can be helpful to families as they learn how to co-parent effectively.
If you are unable to come to an agreement with your co-parent related to any aspect of your parenting plan, you can attend mediation to try to resolve your disagreements and/or hire an attorney to help you establish, maintain, and enforce a parenting plan.
Most Common Parenting Arrangements in Oregon
When creating a parenting plan, it is important to remember that everyone’s family situation is unique. There is no one-size-fits-all plan that will work for every family. Like custody, a parenting plan should be based on the best interests of the child. Think of your children's school routine, extracurricular activities, and friend/support networks to find what will work best. As children age, you may find that you need to update the plan according to their needs.
There are many different parenting schedules that have proven effective for families. Selecting the right one for you will require asking a variety of questions related to your family’s lifestyle, goals, and the commuting distance between parents. The Oregon Judicial Department provides families with a basic guide to assist in the initial formatting of your plan. The guide lists questions for each parent to answer ranging from simple “yes and no” answers to more complex responses and offers opportunities throughout to customize the provisions.
If this is your first experience with co-parenting, it is understandable to feel overwhelmed. How do you best plan for circumstances 1 even 2 years down the line? The truth is, you sometimes can’t. While we can’t cover every detail of our child’s life, parenting plans are there to refer back to regarding the big picture. There are also many benefits that come from taking the time to make some of these important family decisions now instead of later.
Why Parenting Plans Are Good For Children and Parents
Parenting plans are created based on the best interests of your children. No matter their age, children require consistency in their lives and honestly, most parents appreciate it too. Clearly defined parenting plans are the foundation of this consistency, encouraging parents to spend quality time with their children in a predictable, dependable way that allows their children to thrive.
For co-parents who struggle to stay on amicable terms, a clear-cut parenting plan removes ambiguity from decision-making and day-to-day activities and the amount of communication they need to have. The aim is to reduce the amount of disagreements between parents about scheduling and instead create a path for both parents to use and enjoy the time they have with their children. Seeing their parents engaging on agreeable terms is vital for the long-term success of these relationships.
Parenting plans are good for children and parents because they allow everyone to be on the same page. In theory, that means you can set up fun and rewarding experiences for your children. Setting clear times around communication, weekend plans, and holidays set the tone for respecting everyone's time going forward.
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At DBMA Family Law, we know the importance of planning for the future. Our team is composed of family law attorneys devoted to helping our clients achieve the best possible outcomes for their children. To learn more about your options when creating a parenting plan, please contact DBMA Family Law today for your confidential consultation.