What Should Be Included in Any Parenting Plan
Feb. 16, 2025
When parents separate or divorce, creating a solid parenting plan is one of the most important steps they can take to confirm that their children’s well-being is prioritized.
A well-crafted parenting plan helps outline the responsibilities, expectations, and schedules for both parents, reducing confusion and conflict down the line.
At Sinclair Law Group PC, we have helped countless families in Forney, Texas develop parenting plans that fit their unique needs. As family law attorneys, we understand how crucial this document is to your family’s future and the long-term stability of your children.
The family court system encourages parents to work together to develop a parenting plan that serves the best interests of their children. However, crafting a plan that addresses all of the relevant issues can be challenging. Let’s take a look at the key elements that should be included in any parenting plan, helping you understand what will be expected of you, your co-parent, and the court.
What Is a Parenting Plan?
A parenting plan is a written document that outlines how parents will raise their children after a separation or divorce. This plan typically covers various aspects of child-rearing, including living arrangements, visitation schedules, decision-making responsibilities, and financial obligations.
A parenting plan serves as a guide for both parents, ensuring that their children’s needs are met and minimizing potential conflicts.
Under Texas family law, the goal of a parenting plan is to foster an arrangement that supports the children’s emotional and physical well-being. The plan should be as specific as possible to prevent confusion and misinterpretation.
When parents cannot agree on certain elements, the court may step in to make decisions based on the best interests of the children.
1. Custody Arrangements
In Texas, child custody is divided into two components: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody refers to the right to make major decisions about the child’s life, including matters related to education, healthcare, and religion.
Physical custody determines where the child will primarily reside and how often the child will spend time with each parent.
A parenting plan should clearly define how legal and physical custody will be shared. Texas law tends to favor joint managing conservatorship, which means that both parents share in decision-making responsibilities.
However, this does not necessarily mean that the child will spend equal time with both parents. If joint managing conservatorship is not in the child’s best interest, the court may award one parent primary custody (also referred to as “primary possession”).
As family law attorneys at Sinclair Law Group PC, we work closely with our clients to confirm that custody arrangements reflect the child’s best interests while also considering the parent’s ability to co-parent effectively.
2. Visitation and Parenting Time
Another essential component of a parenting plan is the visitation schedule, which outlines the time the child will spend with each parent. In Texas, a standard possession order is often used as a guideline, but parents are encouraged to develop a customized visitation plan that works for their unique situation.
The visitation schedule should include:
Regular visitation: This includes weekends, holidays, and special occasions. The schedule should specify the times when the child will be with each parent and the location of exchanges.
Holiday and vacation schedules: Holidays can be contentious if not addressed upfront. Parents should decide who will have the child for major holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and birthdays. Additionally, vacation time should be outlined, specifying how far in advance notice needs to be given and how long each parent can take the child on vacation.
Special occasions: Certain milestones, such as graduations or religious ceremonies, should also be considered. Both parents should have the opportunity to participate in significant events in their child’s life.
This section of the parenting plan is vital in Texas family law cases because it helps prevent confusion and reduces the likelihood of conflict. A clear and mutually agreed-upon visitation schedule allows both parents to know what to expect, which provides stability for the children.
3. Decision-Making Responsibilities
The parenting plan should specify how major decisions will be made regarding the child’s upbringing. In Texas, if parents have joint managing conservatorship, they both typically share the right to make decisions about the child’s education, medical care, and religious upbringing.
However, in some cases, one parent may be granted the final say in certain areas, such as health care or education.
The plan should outline the process for making these decisions. For instance:
How will disagreements be resolved?
Who will make the final decision if one parent disagrees with the other?
What steps should be taken if a decision needs to be made urgently (e.g., emergency medical care)?
While parents can share responsibilities, it's critical to define how decisions will be made to avoid disputes. Having a clear framework for decision-making helps maintain a cooperative and respectful relationship between the parents, which ultimately benefits the child.
4. Financial Support and Child Support
Financial responsibilities are a critical part of any parenting plan. Texas family law requires that both parents contribute to the financial support of their children, with one parent typically paying child support to the other.
Child support is calculated based on a set formula that takes into account the noncustodial parent’s income, as well as the number of children involved.
In addition to child support, the parenting plan should outline other financial obligations, such as:
Medical expenses: Who will cover the child’s health insurance? How will out-of-pocket medical expenses be divided between the parents?
Extracurricular activities: Will one parent cover the cost of activities such as sports, music lessons, or summer camps, or will the costs be shared equally?
Education expenses: Will the parents contribute equally to private school tuition or college expenses?
A well-detailed financial section will clarify the division of financial responsibilities, minimizing potential disagreements between parents over money.
5. Communication and Information Sharing
Effective communication is vital to successful co-parenting. A good parenting plan should include provisions for how parents will communicate with each other regarding the child’s well-being. This includes how they will share information about the child’s health, education, and general welfare.
Some key elements to consider are:
Regular updates on the child’s progress in school, extracurricular activities, and health.
A plan for addressing urgent matters or emergency situations, such as medical issues or school-related concerns.
Methods of communication, whether communication take place via text, email, or phone calls? Should there be a set time each week for discussing the child’s needs?
Clear communication reduces misunderstandings and allows both parents to stay involved in their child’s life.
6. Parenting Philosophy and Co-Parenting Guidelines
Though not always legally required, many parenting plans also include guidelines on how the parents will approach co-parenting. This can help set expectations about how each parent will handle discipline, screen time, and other important aspects of parenting.
For example, if one parent has a different approach to discipline than the other, it’s essential to address how these differences will be handled in family law. A parenting plan can include agreed-upon guidelines for discipline, routines, and any special circumstances, such as managing a child’s behavioral or emotional needs.
The goal is to create a unified approach to raising the child, even if the parents are no longer together. As family law professionals, we at Sinclair Law Group PC work with our clients to develop co-parenting plans that take into account their parenting styles while focusing on what’s best for the child.
7. Dispute Resolution Mechanisms
Even the best-laid parenting plans can run into disagreements. Therefore, it’s important to include provisions for resolving disputes in a way that minimizes conflict. Texas courts often recommend alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation, to help parents resolve issues without going back to court.
A parenting plan should outline the steps the parents will take if a dispute arises. Will they attend mediation? Will they consult a parenting coordinator? How will the decision-making process work if mediation fails?
Including a dispute resolution mechanism in the plan helps avoid the emotional and financial strain of returning to court to settle every disagreement.
Take the Next Steps Today
At Sinclair Law Group PC, we understand the challenges parents face when creating a parenting plan that aligns with Texas family law and serves the best interests of the child. We are proud to serve Forney, Texas, and the surrounding areas of Kaufman County, Rockwall County, and Dallas County. Call us today.