Parenting plans and custody agreements

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Whether you were married to the Childs other parent or not, a Parenting Plan can be prudent way to protect your child from unwanted parenting decisions by the other parent. 

A parenting plan is a legally binding court order defining child custody, residential schedules, and decision-making authority.

Without a Court Ordered Parenting Plan in place, both parents have equal rights to the child. This may include:

• Equal Access: Both parents have equal, shared, and unsupervised rights to the child.
• Decision-Making: Each parent can make day-to-day decisions (e.g., food, bedtime) and emergency decisions while the child is in their care.
• Relocation: You are not legally restricted by relocation laws (requiring notice to move) if no plan exists, but moving the child to hide them can be considered criminal custodial interference.
• Legal Protections: Without a plan, there is no formal enforcement of visitation, meaning one parent can legally withhold the child, requiring you to file for a parenting plan or emergency orders to establish formal rights.
• Parentage Requirement: If you are an unmarried father, you must establish paternity to have these rights recognized. 

A Parenting Plan is essential to creating stability for children, reducing conflict through clear expectations, and facilitating shared involvement.

Contact us to set up a consultation to discuss your Parenting Plan or Custody Agreement needs.