Parenting Plan Builder — court-ready in minutes.
Build a complete parenting plan online covering custody schedules, holiday assignments, decision-making authority, and child support — organized the way family court expects. Already have a plan or court order? Import it and we'll organize it into your plan sections — no re-typing. Review with your attorney before filing.
Not legal advice. Always review any parenting plan with a licensed family law attorney in your state before filing.
What is a parenting plan?
A parenting plan is a written document that sets out how separated or divorced parents will share custody, make decisions, handle expenses, and communicate about their children. In most U.S. states, a parenting plan is required when a custody order is entered, and courts review it carefully for specificity, enforceability, and the child's best interests.
A well-drafted parenting plan reduces conflict, prevents disputes before they start, and gives your child stability across two households. A poorly drafted plan creates years of friction, modification motions, and legal fees. Getting it right the first time matters.
What goes in a parenting plan?
A complete parenting plan covers 14 key areas that courts and family law attorneys typically address. Every section needs to be specific, measurable, and enforceable.
Custody schedule (weekday + weekend rotations, school breaks)
Holiday and vacation assignments (every named holiday, every year)
Transportation and exchange logistics
Communication platform between co-parents
Legal and major decision-making authority
Right of first refusal
Expense sharing and reimbursement rules
Schooling preferences and decisions
Therapeutic and medical services
Tax dependency exemption alternation
Special provisions (travel, relocation, substance use)
Custom sections for family-specific arrangements
Court-friendly structure and formatting
Structured PDF and Word export, ready for attorney review
Who needs a parenting plan?
If you have children and you're separating, divorcing, or never were married to your co-parent, you need a parenting plan. Most state family courts will require one before entering a custody order. Even in amicable splits where parents agree informally, a written parenting plan protects both of you and gives your child a consistent expectation across households.
Parenting plans are also required for most custody modifications, relocation requests, and disputes over major decisions like schooling or medical care. Having one in place from day one prevents a lot of future court filings.
How CoreParent builds your parenting plan
CoreParent's Co-Parenting Blueprint walks you through all 14 sections of a complete parenting plan with plain-English prompts — no legal jargon, no blank-page paralysis. You control every answer. The result is a structured PDF or Word document you hand to your attorney for review before filing.
Answer guided questions
Plain-English prompts walk you through custody, holidays, decisions, and more. You control every answer.
Export a court-ready draft
Structured PDF or Word document formatted to match what family courts expect to see.
Review with your attorney
Bring your draft to a licensed family law attorney for review. Flat-fee reviews typically cost $200–$500.
Parenting plan FAQ
What is a parenting plan?
A parenting plan is a written document that sets out how separated or divorced parents will share custody, make decisions, handle expenses, and communicate about their children. Most states require a parenting plan when a custody order is entered, and courts routinely review them for specificity, enforceability, and the child's best interests.
Do I need an attorney to create a parenting plan?
No — courts accept self-represented (pro se) parenting plans. That said, we strongly recommend having a licensed family law attorney in your state review any parenting plan before you file it. Attorneys catch jurisdiction-specific requirements, unenforceable provisions, and formatting issues that can be hard to fix after filing.
How much does a parenting plan cost?
Attorney-drafted parenting plans typically run $1,500 to $5,000 per parent for an uncontested case, and much more for contested cases. CoreParent's parenting plan builder is free to build; exporting a court-ready copy unlocks with Solo — $39 every 3 months or $129/year. You still hire an attorney to review the finished draft, typically at a flat review fee of $200–$500.
What goes in a parenting plan?
A complete parenting plan covers 14 core areas: custody schedule, holiday and vacation assignments, transportation and exchange details, communication platform, decision-making authority, right of first refusal, expense sharing, schooling preferences, therapeutic services, tax exemptions, special provisions, custom sections, court-ready structure, and PDF/Word export.
Does CoreParent work in my state?
Yes — all 50 states. CoreParent's parenting plan builder is organized to cover the sections family law proceedings typically address, and the child support calculator uses each state's statutory formula. Always have a licensed attorney in your state review your parenting plan before filing.
Is CoreParent legal advice?
No. CoreParent is a document and organizational tool, not a law firm. Nothing on the CoreParent platform constitutes legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by using the service. Consult a licensed family law attorney for guidance specific to your case.
Ready to build your parenting plan?
Start free. Export when you're ready. Review with your attorney before filing.
CoreParent is an organizational and informational tool, not a law firm. Nothing on this site constitutes legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by use of CoreParent. Always consult a licensed family law attorney in your jurisdiction before filing any parenting plan with a court.