Custody and parenting time
A parenting plan you won't have to argue over
An agreed parenting plan is one flat fee: written, filed and approved by the court. It works for parents who are divorcing and parents who never married.
The plans that last are the specific ones. Who has the kids on a teacher in-service day? Which parent's turn is the Fourth of July in odd years? Who pays for the travel team? We write those answers down now, while you're both at the table, so nobody has to guess later.
What goes in
Six things every plan settles
The regular week
School nights, weekends and the handoff: where, when and who drives.
Holidays and breaks
Thanksgiving, winter and summer break, birthdays, alternating by year.
Decisions
Who decides about school, health care and religion, together or apart.
Travel
How much notice for a trip, and what happens with a move out of town.
Support
The child support worksheet, and who covers activities and insurance.
Talking it through
How you'll communicate, and what you'll do before going back to court.
Custody questions
Custody, asked plainly
We weren't married. Does this still apply?
Yes. Unmarried parents can file a parenting plan, and the price is the same.
Can we change the plan later?
Yes, through a modification. You get a written quote for it first.
What if we can't agree on a schedule?
Then it's a contested custody matter, quoted by stage. Many parents settle it in one or two mediation sessions first.
Get the schedule in writing
One hour to go over your children's week, and a flat fee to put it on paper.