Parenting Plan Builder

Walks separated parents through the parts of a parenting plan and produces a draft to discuss with the co-parent, a mediator or the Family Advocate. It is not a legal document.

What you will need

Children's ages (years (list)): For example 3, 9, 14. Plans work best when they fit each child's age.
Where do the children mostly live? (parent A / parent B / shared / other caregiver): 'Other caregiver' covers grandparents or relatives.
Distance between the homes (km): Affects how often midweek contact is practical.
Weekends: More detail. Alternate weekends, every weekend Saturday only, or other.
Midweek contact: More detail. A visit, a call or video call, or none.
School holidays: More detail. Include religious and cultural occasions that matter to your family.
How big decisions are made: More detail. School, health, religion, travel, passport.
How parents will communicate: More detail. Keep it short, polite and about the children.
Parent A monthly take-home pay (R): More detail. Optional, only used to suggest a fair split of extra costs.
Parent B monthly take-home pay (R): More detail. Optional.
Are there safety concerns about either home? (yes/no): More detail. Violence, substance use, neglect or threats.

How it works

IF safety_concern == yes: show a notice that the plan should be made with a social worker, the Family Advocate or an attorney, with safety resources (SAPS 10111, GBV Command Centre 0800 428 428, Childline 116), and do not suggest unsupervised overnight contact in the draft. FOR each child: age guidance -> under 3: shorter, more frequent contact, overnight changes introduced gradually; 3-5: predictable routine, short gaps between contact; 6-12: school-week stability, homework plan, extra-murals; 13+: ask their views, allow flexibility around school and friends (views count but the child does not choose). IF distance_km > 50: suggest longer, less frequent blocks and regular video calls instead of midweek visits. Extra-cost split (optional, discussion only): share_a = income_a / (income_a + income_b), share_b = 1 - share_a, rounded to nearest 5%; if either income blank, default 50/50 and label 'to agree'. Draft sections: 1 where children live, 2 school-week and weekend schedule, 3 holidays and special days, 4 handovers (time, place, who), 5 decision-making, 6 communication and dispute resolution (try talking, then mediation, then Family Advocate, then court), 7 maintenance and extra costs (maintenance by agreement or the maintenance court; this tool does not calculate maintenance), 8 extended family and new partners, 9 review date = today + 12 months (or 6 months if any child under 3).

What you get

Draft parenting plan
Suggested share of extra costs, parent A
Suggested share of extra costs, parent B
Suggested review date

What it means

Because of safety concerns, get professional help before agreeing any contact arrangements.
Blank sections are often where future arguments start, so try to agree them now.
You have a full draft to discuss; it becomes stronger once registered with the Family Advocate or made an order of court.

Next step: Want help interpreting this? Ask a family mediator, the Office of the Family Advocate, or book a Cleared Mind counsellor through 0800 212 146.

Runs on the device. Nothing is saved unless the member chooses.