Co-Parenting Partnership Agreement

What a good one includes

• A detailed routine residential schedule that specifies physical custody days, transition times, and exact locations for pick-ups and drop-offs.
• A comprehensive holiday and vacation rotation plan that clearly outlines school breaks, special days, and travel notification guidelines.
• A clear division of decision-making authority for major life areas such as education, healthcare, and religious upbringing.
• Specific guidelines for splitting extra child-related expenses like extracurricular activities, school supplies, and medical copays.
• A structured communication protocol that defines how parents will share information about the children, including response times and preferred platforms.
• A clear dispute resolution process, such as mediation, to handle future disagreements before seeking court intervention.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using vague terms like "reasonable visitation" instead of defining exact days and hours, which often leads to scheduling arguments later on.
• Writing an agreement strictly for a toddler's needs without building in pathways to adapt the schedule as they grow into a teenager.
• Failing to specify how unexpected expenses, like braces or school trips, will be approved and divided between both households.
• Leaving out rules about parent-to-parent communication, which can lead to children being put in the middle of adult logistics.

Frequently asked questions