Parenting Plans

Parenting Plans contain comprehensive language addressing parenting schedules as well as other provisions relating to the parenting of the children. Issues surrounding parental involvement and duties to children are addressed in the Parental Rights and Responsibilities statute, which provides the guidelines for making parenting plans. The statute helps create parenting plans that maintain parental involvement in children's lives, unless that involvement can be proven to be detrimental to the child. Parenting plans support frequent and continuing contact between the children and each parent. Parents can use parenting plans to outline their respective rights and responsibilities for raising their children. The statute grants parents and the court wide discretion to develop their own parenting plans through mediation and with the help of legal professionals. Above all, parenting plans give importance to the best interest of the child or children following a divorce.

Parties can establish parenting plans through a process of agreement in a manner similar to that of a final divorce decree. In the event of a dispute between parents regarding the best interest of the child or children involved, the court will appoint a Guardian ad Litem to investigate the situation and make recommendations to the court for the creation of appropriate parenting plans.