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Parenting Plan
Free parenting plan template — outlines custody, visitation schedule, and decision-making arrangements for co-parents.
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This free parenting plan covers 1. Legal Custody (Decision-Making), 2. Physical Custody and Schedule, 3. Holidays and Special Occasions, 4. Transportation and Exchange, 5. Communication with 11 clearly marked [placeholder] fields to fill in — built for individuals and small businesses handling a straightforward legal document themselves needing a clear, professional document without commissioning custom legal drafting for a routine situation. Copy it into your own word processor, fill in the placeholders, and review it — or adapt it — before use. It's part of docstoc's free document template library, alongside business, legal, real estate, finance, and HR templates. Every template here is free to copy with no signup required, and each one carries a plain disclaimer: this is a starting point for informational purposes, not a substitute for advice from a licensed professional in your jurisdiction.
Parenting Plan
Parent 1: [Name] · Parent 2: [Name] Child(ren): [Name(s), Date(s) of Birth] Date: [Date]
1. Legal Custody (Decision-Making)
[ ] Joint legal custody — major decisions (education, healthcare, religion) made jointly. [ ] Sole legal custody to [Parent], who makes major decisions [with/without] consultation.
2. Physical Custody and Schedule
Regular schedule: [Describe — e.g. "Child resides primarily with Parent 1, with Parent 2 having parenting time every other weekend from Friday 6pm to Sunday 6pm."]
3. Holidays and Special Occasions
[Describe holiday rotation — e.g. alternating Thanksgiving, Christmas, child's birthday.]
4. Transportation and Exchange
Exchanges will take place at [Location], with [Parent] responsible for transportation.
5. Communication
[How parents will communicate about the child, and how the child will communicate with the non-custodial parent during the other's time.]
6. Relocation
Neither parent will relocate with the child more than [Distance] from [Reference point] without [Notice Period] written notice to the other parent [and/or court approval, per applicable state law].
7. Dispute Resolution
Before returning to court, parents agree to attempt to resolve disagreements through [mediation/direct discussion].
Parent 1: ______________________ Date: ____________ Parent 2: ______________________ Date: ____________
*This document is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Courts in most states must review and approve a parenting plan before it's enforceable, and many states have their own required or recommended parenting plan format — check your local family court's requirements, and consider mediation or an attorney's review before finalizing.*
Edit directly in the box above. Download PDF anytime — the docstoc.io footer is always included and cannot be removed.
What's included
- Edit online — click the document, fill in placeholders, download a PDF
- 7 standard sections: 1. Legal Custody (Decision-Making), 2. Physical Custody and Schedule, 3. Holidays and Special Occasions, 4. Transportation and Exchange, 5. Communication, 6. Relocation, …
- 11 clearly marked [placeholder] fields for quick personalizing
- Free to use — no account or signup required
- Fully editable — adjust any clause to match your actual situation
- Includes a signature block, ready to print or sign digitally
- Fixed docstoc.io footer on every PDF (not removable)
Who this template is for
Freelancers & solo founders
Handling routine business paperwork without commissioning custom legal drafting for every document.
Small businesses
Standardizing recurring documents — leases, agreements, notices — across a growing operation.
Anyone reviewing before signing
Using a clear starting structure to understand what a document should cover, even if a lawyer finalizes it.
Before involving a lawyer
A solid starting draft to review with counsel, or to use directly for a low-stakes situation.
FAQ
Is this parenting plan template really free?
Yes. Like every template in docstoc's library, this parenting plan is free to use, with no account or signup needed to view, edit, or download it.
What does this parenting plan cover?
This legal template includes 1. Legal Custody (Decision-Making), 2. Physical Custody and Schedule, 3. Holidays and Special Occasions, 4. Transportation and Exchange. Fill in the [bracketed] placeholders, edit any clause online, then download a PDF — the docstoc.io footer stays on every export.
Is this legal advice?
No. This template reflects common practice, not your jurisdiction's specific requirements. Legal formalities (required language, witness or notarization rules, filing steps) differ by state and sometimes by county — confirm them with a licensed attorney before this document does any real work.
Can I edit the wording?
Yes. All 11 placeholder fields and every clause are editable right on the page — change what doesn't fit, then download an updated PDF anytime.
Where can I find more free templates like this?
Browse more free legal and related document templates in the docstoc library at /document-templates/.
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Templates are drafted for general use, not a substitute for legal advice — check the note on each page for specifics.
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