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Divorce Attorney | Mesa, AZ

What is a Parenting Plan?

  • Jenny Hawkes
  • Mar 24
  • 2 min read

Updated: Mar 25

A typewriter with a paper that reads "Parenting."

Originally published 03/24/2026


A Parenting Plan is a written agreement that details how parents will share child-related responsibilities after a separation or divorce.* In simplified terms,


Parenting Time + Legal Decision-Making = Parenting Plan


In Arizona, a Parenting Plan must include the following:


  1. Designation of legal decision-making authority.

    1. Joint legal decision-making authority: Both parents have equal say in making decisions related to the children.

    2. Joint legal decision-making, with one parent having final say: The parents must make a good-faith effort to make joint decisions for the children. If they are unable to agree, one parent has final authority to make decisions.

    3. Sole legal decision-making authority: One parent has the right and responsibility to make decisions for the children.


  2. Description of each parent’s rights and responsibilities related to the children.


  3. Practical parenting schedules, including:

    1. Regular parenting time:

      1. Equal parenting schedule, such as week on/week off, 5-2-2-5, or 3-2-2-3

      2. Part-time parenting schedule, such as every-other-weekend or some variation.  

    2. Holiday parenting schedule: Normally divides the major holidays and alternates even and odd years between parents.  

    3. Summer Vacation / School Break parenting schedule: Normally designates 2 or 3 weeks a summer with each parent and alternates even and odd years between parents for school breaks.


  4. Procedure for child exchanges, including time and location of exchange, and specifying who is responsible for transportation. If there is any conflict, the Plan can restrict the receiving parent from coming to the vehicle or the delivering parent from getting out of the car.


  5. Procedure for proposed changes, relocation, and dispute resolution.


  6. Procedure for periodic review of the Parenting Plan or decisions that will need to be made.


  7. Procedure for how and when the parents communicate about the children, and only about the children. No communication in person should be done regarding money unless the parents are very amicable.


  8. A statement that each parent has read, understands, and will abide by the Plan.

 

Once approved by the Court, the Parenting Plan becomes a legally binding and enforceable Order. Having a detailed Parenting Plan, based on your children’s current needs and factoring in their likely future needs, can significantly reduce stress and uncertainty, setting a foundation for smoother co-parenting and a more stable future.

 

Our next two blogs will dive deeper into Parenting Time and Legal Decision-Making, and the options for creating a Parenting Plan that works for your unique situation and needs.

 

*References: 


Ethical Use of AI: In accordance with the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct and State Bar best practices, our firm may use artificial intelligence (AI) to support efficiency in general client education. AI is never used to provide legal advice, make legal decisions, or replace attorney judgment, and no confidential client information is input into AI systems; all legal work is performed and reviewed by qualified attorneys.

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