A verbal agreement is a good start, but a written agreement is highly recommended, and certain states require one.
A parenting agreement should be rather comprehensive because there are many issues to be addressed when it comes to child rearing. Each parent, if possible, should work together as a team in developing this agreement. A lawyer can provide a model agreement, but no one knows a child better than the parents, so it does not make much sense to have a lawyer write one.
The parenting agreement puts parents on the same playing field. Between weekend or monthly visitation/parenting-time, it can be very difficult to manage any sort of routine or rituals without a plan.
A parenting agreement is a legally binding contract defining rights and responsibilities. It typically addresses, but is not limited to, the following:
- Custody Arrangements
- Period of Parenting Agreement
- Surname of Child(ren)
- Visitation/Timeshare Arrangements
- Communication Between Parents
- Exchange of Information
- Resolving Disputes and Disagreements
- Separation and Parental Issues
- Safety Issues
- Communication Between Child(ren) and Parents
- Parenting Skills
- Consistency in Parenting Styles and Values
- Education Issues
- Religion and Cultural Issues
- Medical Attention
- Health Care
- Dental Care
- Other Medical Coverage
- Health Care Providers
- Extracurricular Activities
- Child Care
- Emergencies
- Relatives, Non-Relatives and New Partners
- Disciplinary Standards
- Relocation of the Home
- Parental Responsibility
- Travel from State and Country
- Tax Deductions
- Child Support
- Life Insurance
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