This parenting agreement is designed to enable both parents to agree on how their children will be parented after separation, and is ideal for those who wish to formalise their arrangements in a written agreement.
The Wikivorce Parenting Agreement is available as a Word Document.
This parenting agreement is designed to enable both parents to agree on how their children will be parented after separation, and is ideal for those who wish to formalise their arrangements in a written agreement.
The parenting plan should include all children who are regarded as children of the family. A ‘child of the family’ includes any stepchild or child whom you regard as yours even though they are not biologically related to you. Foster children are not ‘children of the family’.
It is not always easy to learn how to co-parent with someone from whom you have separated, and compromise is often required by both parents to ensure that the final agreement they have in place will be the best arrangement possible for their children.
Parenting Agreements/Plans are not legally binding or enforceable by a court, but are a written agreement (usually made after discussion) between the parents. Our Parenting Agreement helps parents stay out of court because the arrangements are worked out and agreed by both of you; agreeing in this way means you have control over the process and you won't need to fight things out in court. Going to court can be a tense, traumatic, expensive, long term experience and it can be hard to get off the roundabout. In some situations court involvement is absolutely necessary, but parents who have been through the system say to avoid it if you can.
The arrangements are not set in stone, and we would advise reviewing the Parenting Agreement as the children grow older and their needs change, or when there are changes to the existing separate families. You may wish to review the Agreement on a regular basis, i.e. every 6 months or annually. A parenting agreement helps children know that they have a place in both of their parent’s lives, reducing the emotional upheaval that generally comes with their parents’ break up. There should be two copies, one for each of you. It is intended to be a record of the arrangements you have agreed on with regard to the future care of your children.
The Advantages of Having a Parenting Agreement
- Helps mothers and fathers maintain their role as parents
- Helps reduce conflicts regarding the children between separating/divorcing parents
- Reduces the effects of divorce/separation on children
- Decreases stress as parents know how to handle special events, holidays, vacations, medical care, etc.
- Encourages responsibility and accountability by both parents regarding their children
- Focuses on parenting your children rather than fighting with their other parent
- Ensures consistency in the lives of the children
The Disadvantages of Not Having a Parenting Agreement
Children pay the greatest price:
- Children miss out on time spent with one parent or the other
- They may miss out on time spent with friends or participating in activities
- Children may not receive timely or adequate medical care
- They may lose touch with grandparents or other extended family members
- Children may feel angry, sad, frustrated or disappointed most of the time because their lives are not working out very well
Children may resent their parents for:
- Divorcing or separating in the first place
- Putting them in the middle of parental disagreements
- Putting them in the middle of parental power struggles
