In California, a parenting plan is a vital document that establishes the responsibilities and decision-making authority of the children’s parents. By drafting a comprehensive plan and following its agreed conditions, the parents can minimize stress and confusion for their children as they slowly adapt to their new living environments.
What must a parenting plan contain?
To help create an effective California parenting plan, the document must contain the parents shared parenting duties and each of their schedules with their kids.
Their plan will need to discuss the following important matters:
- Drop-off and pickup routines
- Community events
- School programs and sports events
- Health check-ups
- Communication rules
- Vacations, holidays and birthdays
- Decision-making arrangements
It must also include a dispute resolution that the parents can use when they need to settle their disagreements outside of court.
How can parents submit their parenting plan?
After the plan has been prepared by one or both parents, they need to sign the document and attach it with the required judicial council forms, then submit the files to the court.
Once the judge reviews the parenting plan and confirms that it reflects the children’s best interests, they will sign it and include it in the final divorce decree.
With collaboration, parents can create a comprehensive plan
By setting aside each other’s differences, Californian parents like you and your spouse can work together in creating a parenting plan that can outline your shared duties and schedules.
With this in place, you can both remain active parents in your kids’ lives and foster healthy boundaries for everybody in the family.