Parenting Plans

Parenting Plans Designed for Peace of Mind

When parents separate, creating a thoughtful parenting plan can bring clarity and stability to everyone involved—especially your children. A parenting plan, also known as a “custody and visitation agreement,” outlines how time will be shared and how important decisions will be made. With a well-crafted plan, your child will know what to expect, and you’ll reduce the stress and conflict that can come from uncertainty.

At Aloha Divorce, I help parents work together to design parenting plans that are flexible, enforceable, and centered on the needs of your family. Choosing to create a parenting plan outside of court offers several advantages:

Why Choose a Parenting Plan Over a Court Order?

✔️ Control and Flexibility
You and your co-parent know your family best. A parenting plan lets you design an agreement tailored to your schedules, priorities, and your child’s unique needs—without being bound by a court’s rigid template.

✔️ Cost-Effective
Court proceedings can be expensive and time-consuming. Parenting plans typically require less legal involvement, saving both time and money.

✔️ Faster Resolution
Avoid court delays and reach agreements on your own timeline. Parenting plans can be completed quickly—especially when both parents are committed to working collaboratively.

✔️ Supports Positive Co-Parenting
The process of creating a parenting plan encourages open communication and cooperation, helping establish a more respectful and peaceful co-parenting relationship moving forward.

✔️ Maintains Privacy
Unlike court proceedings, parenting plans are private. You can resolve important matters without exposing your family’s personal details to the public.

What Should Be Included in a Parenting Plan?

Residential Schedule

This section outlines when the child will be with each parent. A detailed schedule typically includes:

Weekday and weekend routines
Alternating holiday arrangements
Vacation time and school breaks

A well-crafted schedule reduces confusion and gives your child a consistent routine they can rely on.

Legal & Physical Custody

Legal custody refers to who makes major decisions about your child’s education, healthcare, and well-being.
Physical custody determines where your child lives and how time is shared.

Your plan can designate joint or sole custody, and include clear guidelines for how decisions are made.

Decision-Making Responsibilities

Parenting plans can specify how decisions will be made for:

Medical care
Schooling and tutoring
Religious upbringing
Mental health care

You can agree on joint input or assign certain decisions to one parent, depending on what works best for your family.

Communication Guidelines

A strong parenting plan includes how and when parents and children will communicate. This may cover:

How co-parents will share important updates
Phone or video calls between a parent and child during the other parent’s time
Response time expectations for messages

Clear guidelines help avoid miscommunication and promote cooperation.

Transportation & Exchanges

This section lays out who is responsible for pickups and drop-offs, and where exchanges will take place.

Details like exact locations, timing, and backup plans for delays can minimize stress and reduce conflict during transitions.

Extracurricular Activities & Travel

You can agree on how to handle:

Scheduling and paying for extracurriculars
Notice requirements for travel (especially out-of-state or international)
When and how new romantic partners are introduced to the child

Including these details upfront avoids confusion and promotes consistency for your child.

Conflict Resolution Methods

Even the best-laid plans may need adjustments. This section explains how you’ll handle disagreements, such as:

Mediation before court
How revisions to the plan will be requested
Communication expectations during disputes

Including a peaceful problem-solving process helps keep co-parenting cooperative and child-focused.

$ 1,750

Customized parenting plan tailored to California law
Detailed time-sharing schedule (weekdays, holidays, vacations)
Decision-making guidelines for school, healthcare, and more
Communication and exchange protocols
One round of revisions based on your feedback
Filing guidance (if you want it submitted to the court)
Email support throughout the process

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Here’s what you get when you work with Aloha Divorce:

✔️ Legal Precision & Enforceability
We ensure that your parenting plan complies with California law and is written in clear, enforceable language that minimizes confusion and conflict down the road.

✔️ Customization for Your Unique Family
No two families are the same. I create tailored plans that reflect your children’s needs, your work schedules, travel habits, and family traditions—because flexibility and clarity matter.

✔️ Conflict Prevention
As a Certified Co-Parenting Specialist, I understand how to build agreements that reduce misunderstandings and help both parents stay on the same page. My approach helps prevent future court battles by laying out expectations ahead of time.

✔️ Communication-Focused Support
Sometimes, it’s not just the legal terms—but how they’re communicated. I help you think through not just what the plan says, but how it can support smoother co-parenting interactions in real life.

✔️ Child-Centered Solutions
I prioritize what’s best for your children—emotionally, developmentally, and practically. My role isn’t just legal—I’m here to help you co-create a structure that makes your children feel secure and supported in both homes.

When Should You Update Your Parenting Plan?

As children grow and circumstances evolve, your plan may need updates. Common triggers include:

Let’s Create a Parenting Plan That Works for Your Family

Whether you’re just starting out or revisiting an old agreement, I can help you build a thoughtful, flexible plan centered on your children’s needs.