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Why Detail Matters
A comprehensive parenting plan is the foundation of successful co-parenting—especially in high-conflict situations. Every ambiguity in your plan is a potential future conflict.
Your parenting plan should address:
- Custody schedule: Regular weekly/biweekly schedule with exact days and times
- Holidays and special occasions: Who has the children for every holiday, every year
- Vacation and travel: How much notice, passport requirements, communication during travel
- Decision-making: Who decides what—education, medical care, religion, extracurriculars
- Communication: How parents communicate, response times, what requires notification
- Exchanges: Where, when, and how children transition between homes
- Dispute resolution: What happens when you disagree
Courts prefer detailed plans because they reduce future litigation. The more you specify now, the less you'll argue about later.
The best parenting plans are 10-20+ pages long. If yours fits on one page, it's not detailed enough.
Many attorneys use parenting plan templates as starting points. Ask your attorney for one, or search for your state's model parenting plan.
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