Parenting plan template: a free fillable worksheet

By Phi Truong Nguyen for CoParent Diary · Last reviewed October 18, 2026 · How we write guides

A parenting plan sets out when the children are with each parent and how the parents make decisions and handle changes. This worksheet walks through the topics that state court forms commonly cover, so you can draft your answers before mediation or before filling in your court's official form.

Draft, not a court form. Many states require their own parenting plan form (links below), and a plan signed by both parents is not automatically a court order. Use this worksheet to think it through and to bring a clear draft to mediation, your attorney or the court's self-help center.

What a parenting plan usually covers

Official forms differ, but they ask about the same core topics. Oregon's basic form, for example, has sections for goals for the children, the weekly schedule, vacations and holidays, exchanges, decision-making, communication, future moves and dispute resolution (Oregon Basic Parenting Plan Form). Washington's mandatory parenting plan (FL All Family 140) includes parenting time schedules, decision-making, dispute resolution, transportation and relocation sections (FL All Family 140, 07/2025).

The worksheet

Your answers autosave in this browser only. Nothing is uploaded.

1. Parents and children

Parent A (name)

Parent B (name)

Children (first names and birth years)

Court, county and case number, if there is a case

2. Regular parenting-time schedule

Which days and times each child is with each parent during a normal school week and in summer.

School-year scheduleExample: Parent A Monday 3 PM to Wednesday 3 PM; Parent B Wednesday 3 PM to Friday 3 PM; weekends alternate.

Summer scheduleExample: alternating weeks starting the first Sunday after school ends.

Date this schedule starts

3. Holidays, birthdays and school breaks

Holiday time usually overrides the regular schedule. Say who has each holiday in even and odd years.

Holidays (even years / odd years)Example: Thanksgiving: Parent A in even years, Parent B in odd years, Wednesday 6 PM to Sunday 6 PM.

Children's and parents' birthdays

Vacation time and notice neededExample: each parent may take up to 14 days in summer with 30 days written notice.

4. Exchanges (handoffs)

Where exchanges happenExample: school when in session; otherwise the public library parking lot.

Who drives, and who may pick up

What happens if someone is lateExample: wait 30 minutes; after that, text and the visit may be rescheduled.

5. Decision-making

How major decisions are made: jointly, by one parent, or one parent after consulting the other.

Education

Non-emergency health care

Extracurricular activities and religion

Day-to-day decisions during each parent's time

6. Communication

How parents communicateExample: written messages for scheduling only; reply within 24 hours; urgent issues by phone.

Child contact with the other parentExample: video call 7 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Sharing school and medical information

7. Child-related expenses

Child support itself is set by state guidelines or a court; this section is for how shared costs are handled.

Which costs are shared and howExample: activity fees and uninsured medical costs split 50/50.

How and when reimbursement is requested

8. Travel and relocation

Travel out of state or abroad (notice, itinerary, passports)

Notice before either parent moves

9. Changes and disagreements

How temporary schedule swaps are agreedExample: requested in writing at least 48 hours ahead; no make-up time unless agreed.

How disagreements are handledExample: try to resolve in writing within 7 days, then mediation before going to court.

When the plan is reviewed

10. Anything else

Other agreements

Official forms: check your state first

Use your court's form when one exists. A few examples, checked October 18, 2026:

Oregon: the Oregon Judicial Department says "Oregon law requires a parenting plan in court cases involving parenting time" and that it "must say how much time, at a minimum, the children will spend with" each parent (ORS 107.102). See Parenting Plans and the Basic Parenting Plan Form.
Washington: Parenting Plan, FL All Family 140 (mandatory form, 07/2025), with attachments such as the parenting time schedule.
California: custody and parenting-time orders use attachment FL-341, with optional attachments such as FL-341(C) for a holiday schedule.

For other states, search your state judicial branch's self-help pages for "parenting plan" or ask the court clerk. Legal aid organizations often publish plain-language instructions.

Tips for a plan that works

Be specific about times and places. "Every other weekend" becomes "alternate weekends, Friday 6 PM to Sunday 6 PM, starting November 7."
Write holidays for both even and odd years, and say whether holidays override the regular schedule.
Say what happens when someone is late or needs a swap.
Plan for change: children's needs at 4 and at 14 are different. Add a review point.
If conflict is high, see parallel parenting for more structured provisions.

Once a plan is in place, the custody log helps you record how it is actually working.

Questions

Is this parenting plan template valid in my state?

It is a worksheet for drafting, not an official form. Many states have required forms; check your state court's self-help website and use its form for filing.

Does a parenting plan need to be approved by a court?

Rules vary by state. Generally a plan becomes part of a court order only when a judge approves it in a case. Ask your court's self-help center how it works where you live.

What is the difference between a parenting plan and a custody order?

Terms vary by state. A parenting plan usually describes the schedule and decision-making in detail; it may be attached to or included in a custody order.

Is my worksheet saved?

Yes, in this browser only. Export the PDF to keep a copy or to share it with your attorney or mediator.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-18. Links open the original publisher.

Oregon Judicial Department: Parenting Plans (quoted requirement, ORS 107.102).
Oregon Judicial Department: Basic Parenting Plan Form (section list).
Washington: Parenting Plan, FL All Family 140 (07/2025), WashingtonLawHelp copy
Judicial Council of California: FL-341 Child Custody and Visitation (Parenting Time) Order Attachment (viewed via an archive copy because the live file blocked automated access).