Shared Parenting Information Group (SPIG) UK

Nathan and Miranda's Plan

1. Joint legal custody of the minor children, [names of children], is awarded to the parties such that during the remainder of the children's lives before reaching the age of majority, the parties shall have equal rights and responsibilities regarding the rearing and overall well being of the children regarding decision making on the issues of education, healthcare, and religious training.
2. Day to day decisions. Each party shall retain the right to make day to day decisions concerning the children while in their respective homes.
3. Educational information. Each party shall properly, and in a timely manner, transmit to the other any information received concerning the children's education, including but not limited to progress reports, report cards, disciplinary notices, parent/teacher conferences, school club meetings, school programs, days off, and any extracurricular activities in which the children may be engaged or interested.
4. Access to records. Each party shall advise all health care providers and school officials that the other is to have access to any records concerning the children that are in the possession of such professionals. Additionally, each party shall provide current contact information on behalf of the other to such individuals.
5. Illness. Each party shall properly inform the other of any serious illness or injury the children has/have, which requires medical attention while the children are in that party's care.
6. Medication. Each party shall provide any prescriptive medication, in its original container, needed by the children while the children are with the other party. Each party shall keep the other informed as to any prescriptive and non-prescriptive medications, vitamins and/or nutritional supplements that the children are taking while in their respective homes.
7. Conduct. Each party shall at all times conduct themselves in a manner which promotes the cooperation and involvement of the other on any matters which concern the education, medical and mental health care of the children.
8. Parental input. Each party will provide for the other's input to be included directly, in person, via telephone or in writing, in such matters before any determination of diagnosis, treatment, placement or need for other further action is made. This includes, but is not limited to, any parental input taken in the form of interviews, questionnaires and/or checklists. Each party shall bear in mind that the cooperation and involvement of both parties on issues regarding education, medical and mental health care of the children is in the best interest of the children and is to be held priority.
9. Time sharing.
   1. [name of residential parent] will be the residential parent with whom the minor children shall reside on a daily basis. [name of residential parent] will set forth his/her best efforts to allow the children liberal timesharing with [name of non-residential parent].
   2. [name of non-residential parent] shall have reasonable and liberal time-sharing at least, but not limited to, 52 [can use any other number] days of parenting time per year. This time may be taken as single or consecutive times, so long that it does not interfere with the children's ability to attend school. [name of non-residential parent] agrees to notify [name of residential parent] of intention to exercise parenting time at least 48 hours prior to intended time.
   3. The parties agree that should either party require a child care provider for any reason, the position will first be offered to the other.
   4. The parties agree that the children will be allowed to attend family functions such as birthday parties, weddings, etc. to which they have been invited for each party respectively.
   5. Holidays shall be shared with one parent having the children from the morning until the afternoon and the other parent from afternoon to evening.
   6. The parties agree to keep the one another informed as to any activities in which [children]are involved. Each party shall provide a schedule of such activities to the other so that both parties may attend. Each party will be responsible for bringing the children to and from when they are with each party respectively.
10. Rules. The parties shall adhere to the following rules with respect to custody and time spent with the minor children:
    1. Each party shall refrain from discussing the conduct of the other party in the presence of the children.
    2. Each party shall advise the other and the children as soon as possible if he/she is unable keep their planned time with the children.
    3. Both parties shall not unreasonably question the children regarding the activities of the other party.
    4. Both parties agree to not use the children, or the transfer times of the children, to provide information or requests of the other.
    5. Both parties shall at all times conduct themselves in a manner which promotes the beneficial effect of the minor children's time with the other.
    6. Each party may take the children out of the state during their scheduled time with the children.
    7. The parties agree to discuss any conflicts or disagreements at a time when the children are not present.
11. Relocation. Should either party, with good cause, wish to relocate outside of the state of {state}, he or she must give 90 days notice to the other of his or her intentions. If the receiving party objects to the decision, both parties must then follow the guidelines for conflict resolution as contained in section 12 of this order. If the receiving party does not object, the parties must then restructure the schedules contained in this order by mutual agreement. The restructured schedule shall be as close a possible in the amount time-sharing each parent has with the current schedule.
12. Conflict resolution. If any conflict arises between the parties as to any of the provisions of this Joint Custody Order or the implementation thereof; the complaining party shall first notify the other of the nature of the complaint and both parties shall make reasonable attempts to negotiate a settlement of the conflict. Whenever practical under the circumstances, that complaint shall be in written form and given or mailed to the other parent. The parent receiving the complaint shall reply to the complaint in a similar manner and shall delay any, and/or make no further, plans until a resolve is reached. If the parties are unable to resolve their conflict within a reasonable period of time, the party seriously objecting to the plan of the other party shall be responsible for starting mediation through their respective churches/pastors. If within a reasonable period of time, the parties are still unable to resolve their conflict, the party seriously objecting to the plan of the other shall be responsible for starting mediation proceedings. Mediation shall be by a psychiatrist, psychologist or other person trained in resolving family disputes. The costs of mediation shall be divided equally. Either party may seek judicial resolution of the conflict if mediation does not result in a solution.
13. Modification. Any portion of this order may be modified at any time by mutual written agreement only. The written agreement shall specify what is to be modified, must contain the date of the agreement and the signatures of both parties. Each party shall have his/her own copy for their records.

submitted by Wendi A.Birkett

Last updated - 2 November 1999