Family Courts

Parenting Plan Information


"It is important Parents remember this is about the needs of the child. Parents should remain flexible. It may require some sacrifices on the part of the adults. You will be less likely to experience  difficulty if you can truly think about it from the child’s point of view." -Unknown

Parenting Plan Agreement Form may be found here. 
To have your Parenting Plan reviewed please email lacyp@bannockcounty.us

Parenting Plan Instructional Video

 
One of the most difficult challenges facing parents at the time of separation is deciding how they will divide responsibility for and time with their children. Before designing a plan for your family, parents should consider your unique situation.
Raising children is difficult for all parents.
-Parents sometimes feel a loss of their adult relationship will also mean a loss of their parent-child relationship.
-Parents sometimes feel concerned about the potential negative impact of their separation on their children's healthy development.
-When parents live in separate homes the challenges are greater because relationships are more complicated.
-Sometimes one parent disagrees about how much time a child should spend with the other.
-If you are unable to reach an agreement on your Parenting Plan, you may want to seek the assistance of a Mediator in negotiating a Parenting Plan.
-Even if you are certain that you can work things out as they occur, having a detailed plan to fall back on is the best way to guard against conflicts in the future.
 
What is a Parenting Plan?
A parenting plan is a document that states when the children will be with each parent (parenting time or physical custody) and how major decisions will be made (legal custody).
Materials on this page contain information for crafting developmentally sensitive parenting plans for parents to use in reaching agreements or presenting proposals to the court.
Parents are encouraged to read this material and seek additional information and advice in order to make the best decisions for their children. 
Information that may be helpful in developing a parenting plan can be found here:
"Planning For Parenting Time"

Please remember, these considerations:
  • Are NOT "the law"
  • Are tools for parents
  • DO NOT prohibit or limit parents or judges from creating parenting plans that differ from the sample plans presented here.
  • DO NOT mandate minimum or maximum amount of parenting time for either parent.
  • MAY NOT be helpful in all circumstances.


NOTICE TO READERS: These considerations do not provide legal opinions or legal advice and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the advice of licensed, legal professionals. Neither the Idaho Supreme Court, the Administrative Office of the Courts, nor the authors are engaged in rendering legal or other professional services through this guide. The Idaho Supreme Court, the Administrative Office of the Courts and the authors do not warrant that the information herein is complete or accurate and do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors, inaccuracies, or omissions that may appear in this guide. Laws and interpretations of laws change frequently, and research may be ongoing and updated. The material contained in these pages may carry with it important legal consequences. Users of this material are solely responsible for determining the applicability of any information contained in this guide to their situation and are strongly encouraged to seek professional legal and other expert assistance in resolving their parenting issues. These parenting time resources are intended to provide helpful ideas in making decisions about parenting time and not be a substitute for legal advice.
These considerations are a tool for you to use to design a parenting plan that will work best for you and your children. 

Sixth Judicial District
Family Court Services
Lacy Parker, FCSM, LMSW
624 E. Center St. Room 106
Pocatello ID 83201
208-236-7416

 

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