Creating a Parenting Plan with Your Ex after Divorce
What is a parenting plan or parenting agreement after a divorce in Dallas, Texas?
A parenting plan (also called a parenting agreement) is a written agreement between divorced or separated parents that explains how they will share time with their children and make important decisions after the marriage ends. In Texas, your parenting plan can be approved by the court and made part of your final custody order so that it is clear, enforceable, and easier to follow.
Instead of letting a judge decide every detail, a parenting plan lets you and your ex work out what will happen day to day. Together – sometimes with the help of a Texas divorce and child custody attorney or a neutral mediator – you decide where the children will live, how they will move between households, and how you will handle the big issues that come up as they grow.
A solid parenting plan in Texas usually covers:
- Where your child will live most of the time and how pick-ups and drop-offs will work.
- Your regular time-sharing schedule (weekdays, weekends, summers, school breaks, and holidays).
- Who has the right to make major decisions about school, medical care, counseling, activities, and religious upbringing.
- Basic rules and expectations in each home (bedtimes, homework, screen time, discipline) so the children have consistency.
- How parents will communicate with each other and with the children, including how you will handle travel, make-up time, and future changes to the schedule.
If you want help thinking through the details, you can read our article
What to Consider When Developing a Divorce Parenting Plan
for a step-by-step list of what to include. Parents who are hoping to avoid a courtroom fight often find
How to Settle Custody Out of Court in Texas
helpful, and our
Texas Standard Possession Order
guide explains the most common weekend and holiday schedules used in Texas courts.
For help creating a parenting plan that works for your family and meets Texas legal requirements, contact the experienced Texas divorce and child custody attorneys at
Warren & Migliaccio, L.L.P. Call us at (888) 584-9614 or
contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
