Parallel Parenting Plan Template

This Parallel Parenting Plan (the “Plan”) is made as of [Effective Date] by and between:

Parent A: [Full Name], address: [Address]

Parent B: [Full Name], address: [Address]

Child(ren): [Name(s), DOB(s)]

Case/Court (Optional): [Court/County], Case No. [__]

Existing Order (If Any): [Date] (the “Existing Order”)

1. Purpose and Status

1.1 The Parents adopt this Plan to reduce conflict and provide a consistent routine for the child(ren).

1.2 This Plan is intended to be: ☐ effective upon signature ☐ subject to court approval (if required).

1.3 This Plan does not modify any protective order unless approved by the court.

2. Legal Custody / Decision-Making

2.1 Decision-Making (Select One):

☐ Joint legal custody with divided decision areas (below)

☐ Sole legal custody to: ☐ Parent A ☐ Parent B (subject to court order)

2.2 Decision Areas (Customize):

• Education decisions: ☐ Parent A ☐ Parent B ☐ joint with app-based communication

• Non-emergency medical/dental: ☐ Parent A ☐ Parent B ☐ joint

• Mental health therapy (non-emergency): ☐ Parent A ☐ Parent B ☐ joint

• Religion (optional): [Terms]

• Extracurricular activities: [Terms + cost approval threshold $[__]]

• Travel and passports (optional): [Terms]

Education decisions: ☐ Parent A ☐ Parent B ☐ joint with app-based communication

Non-emergency medical/dental: ☐ Parent A ☐ Parent B ☐ joint

Mental health therapy (non-emergency): ☐ Parent A ☐ Parent B ☐ joint

Religion (optional): [Terms]

Extracurricular activities: [Terms + cost approval threshold $[__]]

Travel and passports (optional): [Terms]

2.3 Emergency Decisions: Either parent may make emergency decisions during their parenting time and will notify the other parent as soon as practicable.

3. Parenting Time Schedule

3.1 Regular schedule (select and customize):

☐ Week-on/week-off exchange on [Day] at [Time]

☐ 2-2-3 schedule

☐ 2-2-5-5 schedule

☐ Primary residence with one parent and alternating weekends with the other

☐ Other: [Describe]

3.2 Holiday schedule: [Split holidays + times].

3.3 School breaks/summer: [Weeks + rotation].

3.4 Make-up time: [Rules].

4. Exchanges and Transportation

4.1 Exchange location: ☐ school/daycare ☐ public location ☐ curbside ☐ supervised exchange ☐ other: [__].

4.2 Transportation responsibility: ☐ Parent A ☐ Parent B ☐ shared.

4.3 No direct contact rule at exchanges: ☐ Yes ☐ No. If yes, exchanges will be “drop-and-go.”

4.4 Late policy: [Grace period + notification method].

5. Communication Rules

5.1 Parents will communicate only about the child(ren) and only by: ☐ parenting app ☐ email ☐ text (emergencies only) ☐ other: [**].

5.2 Response time: within [**] hours, unless emergency.

5.3 No harassment/insults; messages should be brief, factual, and child-focused.

5.4 Child communication with other parent: [Frequency + times], without monitoring.

6. Information Sharing

6.1 Each parent will share school and medical information within [**] hours of receiving it.

6.2 Each parent will list the other as emergency contact where allowed.

6.3 Document sharing method: ☐ app ☐ email ☐ shared folder ☐ other: [**].

7. Expenses and Support (Optional)

7.1 Child support: ☐ per existing order ☐ agreed amount: $[**] (subject to court approval if required).

7.2 Expense split: uninsured medical/dental: []% / []%; extracurricular: []% / []%.

7.3 Reimbursement due within [**] days after proof is shared.

8. Rules for Each Household (Optional)

8.1 Each parent may set their own house rules during their parenting time.

8.2 Both parents agree on baseline rules: [Homework, bedtime range, screen time, etc.].

9. Disputes and Review

9.1 Disputes will be handled by: ☐ mediation ☐ parenting coordinator ☐ court.

9.2 Review date: [Date] (optional) to assess whether the plan should be adjusted.

Signatures

Parent A: [Full Name]

Date: [Date]

Signature: ___________________________

Parent B: [Full Name]

Date: [Date]

Signature: ___________________________