Read this first
Parenting-plan requirements vary by jurisdiction and family circumstances. This is an educational preparation worksheet, not a court form or legal document. A qualified local professional should review any final agreement.
1. Family and child information
- Full legal names and current contact information for responsible adults
- Each child’s full name, date of birth, school, and childcare information
- Medical providers, insurance, medications, allergies, and care needs
- Other adults authorized for pickup, care, or emergency contact
2. Regular parenting schedule
- School-week overnights and weekends
- Exact exchange times, locations, and transportation responsibilities
- School drop-off, pickup, childcare, and activity transportation
- Rules for lateness, missed exchanges, and make-up time
3. Holidays, breaks, and special days
- School breaks, federal or religious holidays, and long weekends
- Birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and important family events
- Alternating-year rules and exact start/end times
- Priority rules when a holiday conflicts with the regular schedule
4. Decisions for the child
| Decision area | Who decides? | How is input shared? |
|---|---|---|
| Education and school services | ____________ | ________________________ |
| Non-emergency medical and dental care | ____________ | ________________________ |
| Mental-health care | ____________ | ________________________ |
| Activities and commitments | ____________ | ________________________ |
| Religious or cultural matters | ____________ | ________________________ |
5. Communication
- Normal written communication channel
- Expected response time for routine matters
- Emergency contact process
- How school, medical, activity, and travel records are shared
- Child contact with the other household during parenting time
- Boundaries that keep children out of adult communication
6. Child-related expenses
- Which expenses are included in support and which are shared separately
- Percentages or formulas for each category
- Approval requirements for optional or higher-cost expenses
- Receipt and reimbursement deadlines
- Health-insurance claims, benefits, and uncovered costs
7. Travel and relocation
- Notice required for overnight, out-of-state, or international travel
- Itinerary, lodging, transportation, and emergency contact details
- Passports, consent letters, and document storage
- Relocation notice and dispute process required by local law
8. Changes and conflict resolution
- How schedule-change requests are made and confirmed
- What counts as an emergency
- Whether mediation or another process is required before court
- How often the plan will be reviewed as the child grows
- How agreed changes become part of the formal plan when required
Using KidFirst alongside a parenting plan
KidFirst offers a family-centered web workspace where families can create a family, invite another trusted adult, and keep child and family member information organized. An app can support day-to-day clarity, but it does not replace the signed plan, court order, legal advice, or emergency process.
This template is educational only. Do not sign or file it as a legal document without guidance from a qualified professional in your jurisdiction.