Parenting Agreements
A Parenting Agreement or Parenting Plan is an agreement that is drawn up between the parents and seeks to set out the arrangements for the day-to-day parenting of the children. We are able to assist in drawing up such agreements and can guide you on the factors that such an agreement might cover. We are also able to recommend additional tools, such as parenting apps, which may help arrangements run more smoothly.
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A Parenting Plan is a good option where parents agree that they will work together in the best interests of the child and are able to do so without the assistance of the court. A parenting plan might cover factors such as:-
1. The days and nights on which the child will be with each parent;
2. Arrangements for seeing the other parent;
3. Indirect contact arrangements e.g. times when the child will telephone or FaceTime the other parent;
4. Who will be responsible for particular costs of a child e.g. extra-curricular lessons;
5. Arrangements for the child’s education;
6. Arrangements for attendance at medical or dental appointments;
7. Arrangements for a child’s religious upbringing;
8. How school holidays will be shared between the parents.
A parenting agreement can be tailored to the particular circumstances of the individual family and can be entirely bespoke. There is no “one size fits all” agreement.
A parenting agreement is not legally binding. However, if it is felt necessary, it is possible to ask the court to convert it into an order of the court if the court is content that making such an order is in the child’s best interests.
FAQs
No. A parenting plan is an agreement reached consensually between parents. If they cannot agree on arrangements for the children then it will be necessary to invite the court to adjudicate on the issues between them.
No. A parenting agreement is not legally binding. However, if it is felt necessary it is possible to ask the court to convert it into an order of the court if the court is content that making such an order is in the child’s best interests.
A Parenting Plan offers clarity and certainty for the whole family as to how arrangements will work going forward. It is a useful organisational tool and it is also helpful for children to know that their parents are able to work together and agree how life will work in two separate households. A parenting plan can also be useful evidence for a court should the arrangements break down.
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