Preparing a Parenting Plan in Texas

A parenting plan is a written agreement that outlines how you and your co-parent will share parenting responsibilities, including custody arrangements, visitation schedules, decision-making processes, and financial obligations. When it comes to co-parenting, having a well-prepared parenting plan is essential.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, there were 63,167 divorces in Texas in 2020. In many of these cases, parents are faced with the challenge of co-parenting. Having a solid parenting plan in place can help avoid misunderstandings and conflicts, and ultimately benefit the child involved.

There are specific guidelines to follow when creating a parenting plan that is in the best interest of the child. Here are some steps you can take to prepare a parenting plan:

1. Identify your child's needs. Consider your child's age, developmental stage, and any special needs when creating your parenting plan. You'll want to ensure that your plan addresses your child's physical, emotional, and educational needs.

2. Establish a parenting schedule. Determine a schedule for when the child will be with each parent. This includes regular visitation schedules, holiday schedules, and summer schedules. Be sure to include details such as pick-up and drop-off times, locations, and how transportation will be handled.

3. Alternate custody on child’s birthdays. Alternating birthdays between parents can help promote a sense of fairness in the parenting plan. Each parent gets to celebrate the child's birthday every other year, which can help to reduce feelings of resentment or jealousy.

4. Keep note of your and your co-parent’s birthdays. In most cases, both parents will want to spend time with the child on their respective birthdays. Therefore, the parenting plan should provide for a schedule that allows both parents to spend time with the child on their respective birthdays.

5. Discuss gift-giving and parties. If you're planning on giving your child gifts or throwing a birthday or graduation party, make sure to discuss this with the other parent. Consider whether you'll be splitting the cost of gifts or the party, and whether both parents will be invited to the celebration.

6. Plan for custody on holidays. Although most parenting plans alternate custody on holidays, depending on the child's age, it may be important to take their preferences into consideration. If the child has a strong desire to be with one parent on a specific holiday, try to accommodate their wishes as much as possible.

7. Specify travel dates and arrangements, including emergency contact information and accommodations. Travel is an indispensable part of modern living. Parents may sometimes want to take their kids out on a holiday or introduce them to a parent’s hometown and family. It is important to plan these events ahead of time and outline them in the parenting plan. By specifying travel dates and arrangements, both parents can ensure that they are aware of the child's whereabouts and can plan accordingly. Additionally, providing emergency contact information and details on accommodations can help ensure that the child's safety and well-being are prioritized while traveling.

8. Be mindful of your child’s age. As children grow and develop, their needs and abilities change, and their relationship with their parents evolves. For example, young children need frequent contact with both parents to establish a strong attachment, which is essential for their emotional development. As children grow older, their needs and interests change, and they become more independent. A parenting plan for an older child should take into account their school schedule, extracurricular activities, and social life. In addition, as children enter adolescence, they may experience significant emotional and social changes, including peer pressure, identity formation, and the desire for independence. A parenting plan for an adolescent should take into account their changing needs and provide for increasing autonomy while maintaining appropriate boundaries and guidance.

9. Outline decision-making responsibilities. Decide which parent will be responsible for making major decisions for the child, such as those related to education, medical care, and religious upbringing. It's important to be specific and clear about who has decision-making authority.

10. Determine child support and financial obligations. Decide how child support and other financial obligations will be handled. This includes determining which parent will pay for things such as medical expenses, extracurricular activities, and childcare expenses.

11. Be flexible. It's important to be flexible and open to changes and modifications as circumstances change. Consider including provisions in your parenting plan that allow for modifications in the future, such as a provision for mediation or a process for revising the plan.

12. Seek legal advice. Consider consulting with a family law attorney to ensure that your parenting plan is legally sound and in the best interest of your child. An attorney can go over the Texas Family Code for you and help you draft a bulletproof parenting plan that that puts you and your child’s interests into account. An attorney can also help you understand your rights and obligations under Texas law.

If you need legal guidance on co-parenting or other family law matters in Texas, Sims Purzer PLLC can help. Our experienced attorneys provide a wide range of legal services, including adoption, mediation, divorce, custody, CPS, and more. We're committed to advocating for our client's rights and interests, and we work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome in every case. Don’t hesitate to contact us today. We offer a range of services to help you protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome for you and your child.