Free resource
Parenting plan best practices by province and state
Courts, governments and non-profit family law organizations publish free guides, templates and age-based schedules for parents. Pick where you live to see the official and non-profit resources for your province, territory or state, along with the national ones.
Showing every province, territory and state. Choose one to narrow the list.
Ontario Canada
- TemplateParenting Plan Guide and Template (Version 2.0) (opens in a new tab)AFCC-Ontario
Non-profit professional body. Detailed guide (including age-based schedules) and a template of sample clauses. Free for parents and professionals; a 2026 revision was out for consultation in August 2026.
- GuideFamily justice services (opens in a new tab)Government of Ontario
Court-connected mediation, Family Law Information Centres and the Mandatory Information Program.
- GuideGo to your Mandatory Information Program (opens in a new tab)Steps to Justice (CLEO)
Plain-language legal information from a non-profit legal clinic.
- GuideFind a family mediator (opens in a new tab)Ontario Association of Family Mediators
Professional association for family mediators in Ontario.
British Columbia Canada
- GuideAFCC-BC Parenting Plan Guide (opens in a new tab)AFCC-BC (via Clicklaw)
BC chapter adaptation of the AFCC-Ontario guide, listed on Clicklaw.
- GuideParenting After Separation (brochure) (opens in a new tab)Government of British Columbia
Free provincial course for separating parents.
- GuidePreparing to meet a family justice counsellor (opens in a new tab)Government of British Columbia
Free government mediation for parenting arrangements.
- GuideFamily Law in BC (opens in a new tab)Legal Aid BC
Plain-language guides and forms for parenting arrangements under the BC Family Law Act.
- GuideChildren and parenting resources (opens in a new tab)Clicklaw
Directory of BC public legal education on parenting after separation.
Alberta Canada
- GuideParenting After Separation (PAS) course (opens in a new tab)Government of Alberta
Free course covering communication, legal issues and parenting plans.
- GuideEnforce parenting time (opens in a new tab)Government of Alberta
What to do when a parenting order or agreement is not followed.
- GuideParenting after separation (opens in a new tab)Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA)
Non-profit legal information on parenting arrangements in Alberta.
Saskatchewan Canada
- GuideParenting plans (opens in a new tab)Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan (PLEA)
Plain-language explanation of parenting plans in Saskatchewan.
- GuideSeparation or divorce (opens in a new tab)Government of Saskatchewan
Provincial family justice services, parenting programs and mediation.
Manitoba Canada
- GuideParenting arrangements (opens in a new tab)Government of Manitoba
Provincial information on parenting arrangements.
- GuideFamily Law Manitoba (Family Resolution Service) (opens in a new tab)Government of Manitoba
Home of the Family Resolution Service, which offers mediation and parenting programs.
- GuideParenting resources (opens in a new tab)Government of Manitoba
Links to Manitoba parenting resources.
- GuideCommunity Legal Education Association (opens in a new tab)Community Legal Education Association (Manitoba)
Non-profit legal information for Manitobans.
Quebec Canada
- GuideMédiation familiale (opens in a new tab)Gouvernement du Québec
Free hours of family mediation for separating parents with children (French).
- GuideQuand un couple se sépare (opens in a new tab)Gouvernement du Québec
Provincial overview of separation with children (French).
- GuideLignes directrices: pratique de la coordination parentale (opens in a new tab)Barreau du Québec
Professional guidelines on parenting coordination (French).
- GuideSeparation and divorce information (opens in a new tab)Éducaloi
Non-profit legal information on resolving the end of a parental union (French; English site at educaloi.qc.ca/en).
- TemplateOutil d'élaboration d'un plan parental (opens in a new tab)Justice Canada
French version of the federal Parenting Plan Tool.
Nova Scotia Canada
- TemplateParenting plan (opens in a new tab)Nova Scotia Family Law (Courts of Nova Scotia)
Official Nova Scotia family law site with a parenting plan form and guide.
- GuideNova Scotia Parenting Plan Guide (PDF) (opens in a new tab)Nova Scotia Family Law (Courts of Nova Scotia)
Step-by-step guide to completing a parenting plan.
- GuideParenting plans (opens in a new tab)Nova Scotia Family Law (Courts of Nova Scotia)
What a parenting plan is and how it is used in Nova Scotia.
- GuideLegal Info Nova Scotia (opens in a new tab)Legal Info Nova Scotia
Non-profit legal information line and resources.
New Brunswick Canada
- GuideFamily law resources (opens in a new tab)Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick (PLEIS-NB)
Non-profit legal information, including parenting arrangements and court guides.
- GuideFamily Law NB (opens in a new tab)Family Law NB (PLEIS-NB)
Plain-language family law site for New Brunswick.
- GuideFamily Division resource guide (opens in a new tab)Court of King's Bench of New Brunswick
Court resource guide for family matters.
Prince Edward Island Canada
- GuideParenting plan mediation (opens in a new tab)Government of Prince Edward Island
Free mediation from the Family Court Conciliation Office to help parents build a parenting plan.
- GuidePositive Parenting from Two Homes program (opens in a new tab)Government of Prince Edward Island
Provincial parenting-after-separation program.
- GuideCommunity Legal Information (opens in a new tab)Community Legal Information (PEI)
Non-profit legal information for Islanders.
Newfoundland and Labrador Canada
- GuideFamily Justice Services (opens in a new tab)Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador
Court-connected mediation, parent education and counselling.
- GuidePLIAN (opens in a new tab)Public Legal Information Association of NL (PLIAN)
Non-profit legal information and referral.
Yukon Canada
- GuideParenting After Separation or Divorce (Family 2) (opens in a new tab)Courts of Yukon
Court information sheet on parenting arrangements (March 2025).
Northwest Territories Canada
- GuideChildren and families (Justice) (opens in a new tab)Government of the Northwest Territories
Territorial family law information and programs.
- GuidePreparing for family mediation (opens in a new tab)Government of the Northwest Territories
Family Mediation Program guide (October 2020).
Nunavut Canada
- GuideGuides and resources: family (opens in a new tab)Nunavut Courts
Court guides for family matters in Nunavut.
Alabama United States
- Model planAlabama Model Parenting Plan court forms (long and short) (opens in a new tab)Alabama Model Parenting Plan project
Statewide model plans in a long and a short version.
Alaska United States
- GuideCustody self-help (opens in a new tab)Alaska Court System
Family Law Self-Help Center pages on custody and parenting plans.
- Court formDR-4 Uncontested divorce with minor children packet (opens in a new tab)Alaska Court System
Includes the parenting terms the court needs.
Arizona United States
- Age-based schedulesPlanning for Parenting Time: Arizona's Guide for Parents Living Apart (opens in a new tab)Arizona Supreme Court
Court-adopted guidelines with sample schedules by age.
- Court formDissolution of marriage with children forms (includes parenting plan) (opens in a new tab)Arizona Supreme Court
- GuideParenting plans (opens in a new tab)AZCourtHelp
Arizona courts self-help portal.
Arkansas United States
- Court formForms and publications (opens in a new tab)Arkansas Judiciary
Statewide court forms.
- GuideArkansas Legal Help (opens in a new tab)Arkansas Access to Justice
Non-profit legal information portal.
California United States
- Court formFL-341 Child Custody and Visitation (Parenting Time) Order Attachment (opens in a new tab)Judicial Council of California
Statewide parenting time attachment; FL-341(A) to (E) cover supervision, holidays, extra provisions and joint legal custody.
- GuideChild custody and parenting time (opens in a new tab)California Courts Self-Help
Includes how to write a parenting plan.
Colorado United States
- Court formParenting plan self-help forms (opens in a new tab)Colorado Judicial Branch
Connecticut United States
- GuideChild custody research guide (opens in a new tab)Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries
Court law library guide, including parenting plans.
- GuideCustody and visitation (opens in a new tab)CTLawHelp
Non-profit legal information from Connecticut legal aid programs.
Delaware United States
- GuideFamily Court (opens in a new tab)Family Court of Delaware
Forms, mediation and parenting education information.
District of Columbia United States
- Court formParenting Plan form (opens in a new tab)DC Superior Court
Florida United States
- GuideParenting plans (self-help) (opens in a new tab)Florida Courts
Explains Florida's parenting plan forms.
- Court formForm 12.995(a) Parenting Plan (opens in a new tab)Florida Courts
Related forms: 12.995(b) supervised or safety-focused plan, 12.995(c) relocation or long-distance plan.
Georgia United States
- Court formParenting plan (opens in a new tab)Georgia Courts (A2J)
Self-help page and statewide parenting plan forms.
Hawaii United States
- Court formFamily court forms (includes Proposed Parenting Plan) (opens in a new tab)Hawaii State Judiciary
Third Circuit forms page listing a Proposed Parenting Plan.
Idaho United States
- Court formDivorce forms (opens in a new tab)Idaho Court Assistance Office
Includes parenting plan forms for divorces with children.
Illinois United States
- Court formParenting Plan (Divorce with Children) (opens in a new tab)Illinois Courts
Statewide approved form.
- Court formDivorce, child support and maintenance forms (opens in a new tab)Illinois Courts
Indiana United States
- Age-based schedulesIndiana Parenting Time Guidelines (opens in a new tab)Indiana Supreme Court
Statewide guidelines with schedules by age, holidays and long-distance rules.
Iowa United States
- Court formCourt forms (opens in a new tab)Iowa Judicial Branch
Dissolution forms include parenting terms.
Kansas United States
- Court formParenting Plan (form, rev. 11/2023) (opens in a new tab)Kansas Judicial Council
- GuideKansas parenting plan document (opens in a new tab)Kansas Legal Services
Non-profit legal aid explanation.
Kentucky United States
- GuideFamily Court (opens in a new tab)Kentucky Court of Justice
Family court information and local rules.
- GuideKentucky Justice Online (opens in a new tab)Kentucky Justice Online
Non-profit legal aid information portal.
Louisiana United States
- GuideChild custody, parenting plans and visitation (opens in a new tab)Louisiana Law Help (Lagniappe Law Lab)
Non-profit legal information.
Maine United States
- Court formParental rights and responsibilities packet (opens in a new tab)Maine Judicial Branch
Maryland United States
- GuideParenting plans (opens in a new tab)Maryland Judiciary
Includes the Maryland Parenting Plan Tool (CC-DR-109).
- TemplateMaryland Parenting Plan Tool (CC-DR-109) (opens in a new tab)Maryland Judiciary
Massachusetts United States
- GuideMassachusetts law about child custody and parenting time (opens in a new tab)Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries
Links the AFCC Massachusetts Chapter guide and court resources.
- Age-based schedulesPlanning for Shared Parenting: A Guide for Parents Living Apart (opens in a new tab)AFCC Massachusetts Chapter
Michigan United States
- Age-based schedulesMichigan Parenting Time Guideline (opens in a new tab)Michigan State Court Administrative Office
Friend of the Court guideline on schedules by age.
Minnesota United States
- Age-based schedulesChild-Focused Parenting Time Guide (opens in a new tab)Minnesota Judicial Branch
State Court Administrator guide with schedules by age.
Mississippi United States
- GuideMississippi Judiciary home (opens in a new tab)Mississippi Judiciary
No statewide parenting plan guide found; ask the chancery court clerk for local forms.
Missouri United States
- Court formForm 14 and parenting plan for self-represented litigants (opens in a new tab)Supreme Court of Missouri
Order adopting the statewide parenting plan form for people without a lawyer.
Montana United States
- Court formParenting plan packet and forms (opens in a new tab)Montana Judicial Branch
Nebraska United States
- Court formSimple divorce with children (opens in a new tab)Nebraska Judicial Branch
Includes the parenting plan required under the Nebraska Parenting Act.
Nevada United States
- Court formChild Residence Appendix (opens in a new tab)Nevada Courts Self-Help
Schedule attachment used with Nevada custody filings.
- GuideSelf-Help Center (opens in a new tab)Nevada Courts Self-Help
New Hampshire United States
- Court formStandard Order of Paragraphs and Instructions for Parenting Plan (NHJB-2064-F) (opens in a new tab)New Hampshire Judicial Branch
New Jersey United States
- GuideParenting time information (11904) (opens in a new tab)New Jersey Courts
New Mexico United States
- Court formDivorce with children packet (includes parenting plan) (opens in a new tab)New Mexico Courts
English and Spanish.
New York United States
- GuideCustody and visitation (opens in a new tab)New York State Unified Court System (CourtHelp)
North Carolina United States
- GuideChild custody (opens in a new tab)North Carolina Judicial Branch
Includes custody mediation and parenting agreements.
North Dakota United States
- Court formFile to establish parenting responsibilities together (opens in a new tab)North Dakota Courts
Self-help forms include a parenting plan.
Ohio United States
- Age-based schedulesPlanning for Parenting Time: Ohio's Guide for Parents Living Apart (opens in a new tab)Supreme Court of Ohio
Updated guide announced January 2026.
- Court formDivorce with children standardized forms (opens in a new tab)Supreme Court of Ohio
Oklahoma United States
- Model planStandard Visitation Schedule: Advisory Guidelines with Forms (opens in a new tab)Oklahoma State Courts Network (via OKLaw)
Oregon United States
- Age-based schedulesParenting plan guide and forms (opens in a new tab)Oregon Judicial Department
Guide with age-based planning and safety-focused options.
Pennsylvania United States
- Court formForms for the public (opens in a new tab)Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania
Custody procedure and parenting plan forms vary by county; check the county court.
Rhode Island United States
- GuideFamily Court (opens in a new tab)Rhode Island Judiciary
Family Court forms and services.
South Carolina United States
- GuideSelf-help resources (opens in a new tab)South Carolina Judicial Branch
South Dakota United States
- Age-based schedulesSouth Dakota Parenting Guidelines (effective July 1, 2026) (opens in a new tab)South Dakota Unified Judicial System
Statewide guidelines with schedules by age.
Tennessee United States
- Court formParenting plan program and forms (opens in a new tab)Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts
Mandatory parenting plan forms (permanent and temporary).
Texas United States
- Model planTexas Family Code chapter 153 (includes the Standard Possession Order) (opens in a new tab)Texas Legislature
The Standard Possession Order is the statutory default schedule.
- Court formStandard Possession Order form (opens in a new tab)TexasLawHelp
Non-profit form and instructions.
- GuideDivorce with children under 18 (opens in a new tab)TexasLawHelp
Utah United States
- GuideParenting plans (opens in a new tab)Utah State Courts
Self-help page with parenting plan forms and the advisory guidelines.
Vermont United States
- Court formAgreement on Parental Rights and Responsibilities (opens in a new tab)Vermont Judiciary
Virginia United States
- GuideCustody, visitation and support (self-help) (opens in a new tab)Virginia Judicial System
Washington United States
- Court formParenting Plan (FL All Family 140) (opens in a new tab)Washington Courts
Mandatory statewide form (July 2025).
- Court formFamily law forms (opens in a new tab)Washington Courts
West Virginia United States
- Court formParenting plan (opens in a new tab)Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
- GuideParenting plan instructions (opens in a new tab)Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Wisconsin United States
- Court formProposed parenting plan (FA-4135) (opens in a new tab)Wisconsin Court System
- GuideSelf-help (opens in a new tab)Wisconsin Court System
Wyoming United States
- Court formDivorce with minor children packet (opens in a new tab)Wyoming Judicial Branch
National resources for Canada
- TemplateParenting Plan Tool (opens in a new tab)Justice Canada
Free interactive tool from the federal government. Uses Divorce Act terms (decision-making responsibility, parenting time). Also available in French.
- GuideParenting Plan Checklist (opens in a new tab)Justice Canada
Checklist of topics to think through before drafting a plan.
- Age-based schedulesMaking Plans: A guide to parenting arrangements after separation or divorce (opens in a new tab)Justice Canada
Explains children's needs by age and stage and how to build a schedule around them.
- GuideServices that help resolve parenting arrangement issues, by province and territory (opens in a new tab)Justice Canada
Federal directory of government mediation, parenting education and related services in each province and territory.
- Court formConsent letter for children travelling abroad (opens in a new tab)Government of Canada
Recommended letter when a child travels outside Canada without both parents.
- GuideFamily Mediation Canada (opens in a new tab)Family Mediation Canada
National non-profit for family mediators; find certified mediators and information on mediation.
National resources for the United States
- GuideResources for families (opens in a new tab)Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
International non-profit of family court and dispute resolution professionals. Free pamphlets for parents on parenting plans, co-parenting and children's needs.
- Age-based schedulesPlanning for Shared Parenting: A Guide for Parents Living Apart (opens in a new tab)AFCC Massachusetts Chapter
Widely used age-by-age guide to parenting schedules. Linked by the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries.
- GuideApply for a child's passport (under 16) (opens in a new tab)U.S. Department of State
Both parents must normally consent to a passport for a child under 16. Useful when writing travel and passport terms.
- GuideUniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act (opens in a new tab)Uniform Law Commission
Model law adopted in many states on parenting arrangements when a military parent is deployed.
For families in Canada and the US
- GuideCollaborative practice (opens in a new tab)International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
Find collaborative family law professionals in Canada and the US.
Links go to independent government, court and non-profit websites. FairWell is not affiliated with these organizations and does not endorse any particular resource. We checked every link in October 2026; forms and guides change, so confirm you have the current version with your court. This page is general information, not legal advice.
In plain English
What a good parenting plan covers
The guides above differ in detail, but they agree on the basics. A good plan is written around the children's needs at their current ages, is specific enough that nobody has to guess, and says how it will change as the children grow. Most plans cover these ten areas.
- Who decides whatHow big decisions about school, health, faith and activities get made, what each parent decides day to day, and what happens in an emergency.
- The regular scheduleWhich days and nights the children spend in each home, with exact handover times, built around their ages, school and both parents' work.
- HandoversWhere and how exchanges happen, who drives, who else may pick up, and what travels with the children.
- Holidays and special daysSchool breaks, statutory holidays, religious and cultural days, birthdays and summer, and how they rotate from year to year.
- FlexibilityHow to ask for a swap, what happens to missed time, and who looks after the children when the scheduled parent cannot.
- Staying connectedCalls and video with the other parent, time with grandparents and siblings, and how new partners are introduced.
- How parents communicateOne main channel, reply times, keeping messages short and about the children, and sharing school and health information.
- Health, school and identityAppointments, medication in both homes, school meetings, additional needs, and support for each child's faith, language and heritage.
- Travel, passports and movesNotice and consent for trips, who keeps passports, and what happens if a parent wants to move.
- Reviews and disagreementsWhen the plan is reviewed as children grow, and the steps to take (such as mediation) before anyone goes to court.
A plan works best when it is realistic for both homes. Detail helps most where you expect friction; where you already agree, a short clause is enough. Before you sign, each parent should have it reviewed by their own family lawyer, especially if it will become part of a separation agreement or a court order.
Turn this into your own plan
FairWell's Parenting Plan walks you through every topic above with questions written for parents, then prepares a detailed, draft plan in the terms used where you live, for your lawyer to review.
See the Parenting PlanFree tools
- How to write a parenting planEvery decision, explained step by step.
- Parenting plan preparation checklistDo your thinking before the conversation.
- Co-parenting apps guideChoosing a tool for messages and calendars.
- Free assessmentA roadmap for your province or state.