Parenting Plans
Learn about parenting plans, their purpose and importance, with Cudmore Legal's trusted family lawyers.
What is a parenting plan?
A written agreement between parties with parental responsibility. Parenting plans differ from Consent Orders — they're less formal and are not court orders, and they outline how parents will communicate about decisions and detail longer-term arrangements.
Why people use them
To create written documentation of parenting arrangements, to provide guidance both parties can rely on, as a temporary arrangement during ongoing proceedings, or to navigate complicated relationships involving Protection Orders.
What a plan covers
Care arrangements — where children live, time spent with each parent, schooling and medical treatment — and how parents will communicate about child-related decisions. A parenting plan can be any written agreement, signed by both parties, detailing parenting matters.
Enforceability
Parenting plans are not legally enforceable. If a matter reaches court, judges may have regard to a plan but will determine its weight based on the circumstances. Courts generally assume equal shared parental responsibility benefits children, except in cases of abuse or family violence.
High-conflict relationships
Even in contentious situations, a clear agreement helps parties co-parent — structured communication and changeover arrangements (such as before or after school) can minimise direct contact.