Parenting Plan Builder

Guides separating parents through the topics a parenting plan usually covers, so you arrive at mediation or the Family Advocate with a clear draft.

What you will need

Children's first names and ages (text): Ages matter: plans for toddlers and teenagers look very different.
Where will the children mainly live? (text): With one parent, or shared between homes.
Contact with the other parent (text): For example every second weekend plus one weeknight.
School holidays and special days (text): Christmas, Eid, Diwali, birthdays, Mother's and Father's Day, cultural ceremonies.
Decisions about school, health and religion (text): Which decisions you make together and which either parent can make.
How costs will be shared (text): School fees, medical aid, clothing, transport. Maintenance can also be dealt with at the maintenance court.
How parents will communicate (text): For example a shared calendar or a weekly message.
What happens if a parent wants to move (text): Notice period and how you will decide.
How you will resolve disagreements (text): For example mediation before going to court.

How it works

Step through each section. Mark each as agreed, not yet agreed or not applicable. If any child is under 3, show a note that shorter, more frequent contact is often suggested for very young children. If any section mentions safety concerns, abuse or substance use, stop and show safety guidance and route to attorney_family and social_worker, and do not suggest joint mediation. Output a draft document with the headings of Children's Act sections 33 to 35 topics (residence, contact, maintenance, schooling, religion, health, communication, dispute resolution), clearly marked DRAFT - not a court order.

What you get

Draft parenting plan
Topics still to agree

What it means

You have a full draft; a parenting plan can be registered with the Family Advocate or made an order of court to give it legal force.
Open items are normal; a mediator or the Family Advocate can help you work through them.
Your safety and the children's safety come first; get advice before agreeing to any arrangement.

Next step: Want help interpreting this? Speak to a family mediator, the Office of the Family Advocate, or a family attorney.

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