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The Complete Parenting Plan Checklist: 40 Things Your Agreement Should Cover
Whether you're reviewing an existing plan or negotiating a new one, use this checklist to make sure nothing important is missing.
10 min read
A good parenting plan anticipates the questions before they become arguments. The more specific and comprehensive your agreement, the fewer conflicts you'll have down the road. This checklist covers the 40 most important provisions that a thorough parenting plan should address.
If you already have an agreement, use this as an audit — scroll through and note any areas your plan doesn't cover. Those gaps are where future disagreements are most likely to happen.
How to use this checklist: Review each item and check whether your agreement addresses it. If it doesn't, consider whether it's an area where you and your co-parent might disagree in the future. If so, it may be worth adding to your plan through a modification.
Custody Type & Legal Framework
Legal custody designation (sole or joint)
Physical custody designation (sole, joint, or primary/secondary)
Which parent is designated as "custodial" for school enrollment purposes
Jurisdiction and governing state law
Regular Parenting Schedule
Weekday schedule with specific days and times
Weekend schedule with specific start/end times
Who handles pickup and dropoff (and where)
What happens when a scheduled exchange falls on a school closure day
Provisions for schedule adjustments as the child ages
Holiday & Special Days
Thanksgiving schedule (and whether it includes the full weekend)
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
Spring break
Other holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, etc.)
Mother's Day and Father's Day (usually spent with the respective parent)
Child's birthday
Each parent's birthday
Religious holidays specific to your family
Whether odd/even year alternation is used and which parent gets which year
Summer & Vacation
Summer schedule (how time is split)
Extended vacation time for each parent (how many weeks)
Notice requirements for summer and vacation plans
Whether summer vacations can overlap with the other parent's scheduled time
Travel notification requirements (domestic and international)
Passport possession and consent for international travel
Decision-Making
Medical and dental care decisions
Mental health and therapy decisions
Education and school choice
Religious upbringing
Extracurricular activities
Process for resolving disagreements (mediation, arbitration, or court)
Communication & Co-Parenting
How parents communicate (email, text, co-parenting app)
Phone/video call schedule between the child and the non-custodial parent
Right of first refusal (and the time threshold)
Rules about introducing new partners to the children
Social media provisions regarding posting photos of the children
Relocation & Logistics
Relocation distance threshold (e.g., 25, 50, or 100 miles)
Required notice period for proposed relocation
Transportation responsibilities and costs for exchanges
What happens if one parent moves (who bears travel costs)
Financial Provisions
How uncovered medical, dental, and vision expenses are split
Who carries health insurance for the children
How extracurricular and activity costs are handled
Tax dependency exemptions (which parent claims which child in which years)
How childcare costs (daycare, after-school) are divided
The Items Most Often Missing
Based on the thousands of custody agreements that parents have uploaded to ReadMyCustody, the provisions most commonly missing are: right of first refusal (many agreements don't include it at all), specific holiday start and end times (saying "alternating Christmases" without specifying the exact hours), provisions for introducing new partners, social media rules, and a clear process for what happens when parents disagree on a major decision.
These gaps don't mean your agreement is defective — not every provision is necessary for every family. But knowing what's missing helps you anticipate where conflicts might arise and address them proactively, either through communication with your co-parent or a formal modification.
How does your agreement stack up?
Upload your custody agreement and ask "What does my agreement say about [topic]?" to check any item on this list against your actual document.
Check Your Agreement — Free
When Your Agreement Is Missing Something Important
If your parenting plan doesn't cover an area that's become a source of conflict, you have several options. The simplest is to work it out informally with your co-parent and put the agreement in writing (even an email exchange can suffice for minor issues). For more significant gaps, you can pursue a formal modification through mediation or the court.
The important thing is to address gaps before they become full-blown disputes. As your children grow older, your needs will change — a plan that worked for a toddler may not work for a teenager. Regular review of your agreement against a checklist like this one can help you stay ahead of problems.
For a more detailed look at how to read and understand each section of your agreement, see our guide to understanding custody agreements.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Parenting plan requirements vary by jurisdiction. Consult a licensed family law attorney for guidance specific to your situation.