Parenting Plans
Fair, practical guidance for separating parents. Our specialist child arrangements solicitors help you create clear, child‑focused parenting plans that promote stability, reduce conflict and put your children’s needs first.
Understanding parenting plans and how they can help separating parents
A parenting plan is a written agreement between separated parents outlining how they intend to care for their child or children. As experienced child arrangements solicitors, we help parents create well‑structured, practical plans that address every key aspect of co‑parenting.
A parenting plan can include any matters relating to the children, typically covering:
- Arrangements for the children: Where they will live, and the time they spend with each parent during term time, holidays and special occasions
- Education: Agreement on schooling, how educational decisions will be made, and details such as after‑school clubs
- Health: Which GP the children will be registered with, how routine appointments will be managed, and how medical decisions or emergencies will be handled
- Communication: Preferred communication methods between parents—telephone, email or parenting apps—plus expectations around respectful communication. You may also record how communication with the children will take place.
- Finances: Some parents choose to include agreements around child maintenance or additional expenses such as school trips or clubs
We offer a no-obligation initial consultation to understand your needs and assemble the best legal team for your case. You’ll find us approachable and supportive throughout the process.
What you need to know about parenting plans
As specialist child arrangements solicitors, we guide you through both the practical and legal considerations of creating a parenting plan. Parenting plans are not legally binding and cannot be enforced by the court. However, as a written and signed agreement, they serve as valuable evidence of what both parents intended and agreed. They also provide a clear, consistent reference point, helping reduce misunderstandings, uncertainty and conflict.
A well‑drafted parenting plan supports separated parents by offering clarity, structure, and reassurance about how day‑to‑day parenting will work.
Get in touch
Start with an initial no-obligation consultation and let us guide you through your options.
How we can help
Our family law experts, including our dedicated child arrangements solicitors, specialise in drafting tailored parenting plans to support separated parents. We ensure your parenting plan is practical, bespoke and designed to work for you and your children.
Bespoke guidance
We provide tailored, family‑focused advice shaped around your unique circumstances.
Expert parenting plan support
Our child arrangements solicitors offer clear guidance on what to include and how to structure your parenting plan.
Transparent pricing
You receive clear, upfront information about fees with no hidden costs.
Supportive representation
We assist with negotiations, discussions, and, if required, court proceedings, always taking a sensitive and child‑centred approach.
Important legal points
Although parenting plans are not legally binding, they offer a wide range of benefits, including:
- Clarity and structure: Parenting plans create routine and stability, giving both parents a document to refer back to. Structure is essential for children’s emotional security
- Reduced conflict: Clear written agreements reduce confusion, miscommunication and disagreements
- Child‑focused arrangements: Parenting plans ensure that children’s needs and best interests remain the priority in every decision
- Avoiding court: When parents reach agreement themselves, costly and stressful Court applications may be avoided
- Encouraging respect: Parenting plans reinforce shared responsibility, mutual respect and positive co‑parenting
- Flexibility: Parenting plans can and should be reviewed as children grow and their needs change over time
Parenting plan FAQs
No. They are not legally binding and cannot be enforced by the court. However, where disputes arise, a parenting plan can be used as evidence of what both parents previously agreed.
Court orders are legally binding; parenting plans are not. The family court applies the ‘no order principle’, meaning that where parents reach agreement, a court order is not required. Parenting plans can also include more detailed arrangements because they are created collaboratively by parents, not imposed by a judge.
Absolutely. Parenting plans are entirely bespoke and can be shaped around your family’s unique circumstances. Our family team and child arrangements solicitors can guide you through all the options and help you record them clearly.
Yes. We recommend regular reviews to ensure the arrangements continue to meet the children’s evolving needs. If changes are required, amendments can be agreed between parents and the updated plan re‑signed.
Client success stories
We have assisted many clients in reaching agreements about the arrangements for their children and in preparing parenting plans that formally record these agreements. Our work has also helped parents in situations where disputes arose. Parenting plans have been successfully used as evidence to support a parent’s position in court when disagreements occurred over what the arrangements should be.
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