The Missouri Parenting Plan form, specifically Form CCFC179, is a comprehensive document designed to guide separated or divorced parents in establishing custody arrangements and parenting details for their children. It covers a wide range of topics, including but not limited to, custody case information, children's activities, access to records, communication between parents, and residential schedules. Filling out this form thoughtfully and accurately is crucial for ensuring that the best interests of the children are met, and it requires both parents to work collaboratively towards this goal. Fill out the form by clicking the button below.
In the state of Missouri, the Parenting Plan form plays a crucial role in the arrangement of custody, parental responsibilities, and children's well-being following a divorce or separation. Form CCFC179, specifically designed for custody cases in St. Louis County, takes a comprehensive approach by covering a range Loads of essential aspects to ensure the interests of the child(ren) are prioritized. The form outlines detailed provisions for custody case information, including the designation of parties involved, access to children's records, and stipulations regarding the children’s activities to minimize disruption in their lives. Furthermore, it sets guidelines on communication between parents and the manner of contact with children, aiming to maintain a supportive environment for them. The form specifies the types of decisions to be made by parents, distinguishes between joint and sole legal custody, and addresses residential schedules to facilitate a smooth transition for the children between parental homes. Recognition of the need for specific communication regarding relocation, transportation arrangements, and the resolution of potential disputes through mediation are also pivotal features. Moreover, the form allows for additional provisions catering to unique family situations, demonstrating the flexibility and comprehensive coverage of the Missouri Parenting Plan form in addressing the multifaceted nature of parenting post-separation or divorce.
Form CCFC179 – Parenting Plan Part A – Custody
Case Information
Mother:
Father:
Case Number
County
ST. LOUIS COUNTY
Exhibit Number
1.Children’s Information
Part A of this parenting plan applies to ____________ child(ren). They are:
1. _______________________________
4. _______________________________
2. _______________________________
5. _______________________________
3. _______________________________
6. _______________________________
2.Designation of Parties
3.Access to Records
4.Children’s Activities
Mother is the petitioner/plaintiff. Father is the respondent/defendant. Father is the petitioner/plaintiff. Mother is the respondent/defendant.
The State of Missouri is the plaintiff. Mother and Father are the defendants.
Unless otherwise provided in this parenting plan, both parents are entitled to access to records and information pertaining to the children, including, but not limited to, full and complete medical, dental, health, child care and educational records. Each parent shall take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that the other parent has such access.
Both parents must attempt to accommodate the social and academic commitments of the children during the time the children are with them. Each parent should attempt to refrain from scheduling activities that occur primarily when the children are with the other parent. If an activity will affect the other parent’s time with the children, the parent scheduling the activity shall obtain the affected parent’s permission before committing the children to the activity.
5.Issues not to be discussed in the Presence of Children
6.Communication Methods between Parents
7.Telephone Contact with Children
Mother and Father shall each refrain from making negative, derogatory or degrading statements about the other parent in front of the children. Both parents shall exercise their best efforts to foster the respect, love and affection of the children toward the other parent. Mother and Father shall avoid discussing parenting issues, financial issues, and other topics related to these proceedings when the children are present.
Mother and Father should prevent other persons from making negative, derogatory or degrading statements about the other parent in the presence of the children.
The children shall not be used as messengers. Communication between the parents concerning
the children may be by the following methods: Check each box that is appropriate in your case.
In person
Home telephone
Work telephone
Mobile telephone
Letter via U.S. Postal Service
Email
Fax
Other ________________________.
Each parent may contact the children in a reasonable manner when the children are with the other parent. Neither parent shall contact the children at the other parent’s residence later than
____________. (If this line is left blank, there are no restrictions as to time.)
Each parent shall provide the other parent with the address of their residence and the telephone number at which the children may be contacted. Neither parent shall configure their telephone system in such a manner as to “block” or prevent the other parent from calling. If this telephone number is changed, the parent shall notify the other parent of the new telephone number within a reasonable time.
When a parent travels to an overnight destination with the children, he or she must notify the other parent of the children’s destination. He or she must also provide a telephone number where the children can be reached.
Parenting Plan Part A – Custody of the Children – Page 1
Form CCFC179-02/11
8.Types of Decisions
The three types of decisions that parents must make concerning their children are major decisions, daily or everyday decisions, and emergency decisions.
Major Decisions - Major decisions are the significant decisions about the children. Major decisions are made by the parent or parents with legal custody. The following are examples of major decisions: the choice or change of schools, including college or special tutoring; choice or change of physician, surgeon or dentist; religious instruction, training or education; selection of child care providers; major medical care, surgery, or any medical procedure requiring hospitalization or out-patient surgery; major dental work and orthodontia; psychological or psychiatric treatment or counseling; the choice or change of camps or other special or extracurricular activities; the extent of any travel away from home; part or full-time employment; purchase or operation of a motor vehicle; contraception and sex education; actual or potential litigation on behalf of the children.
Daily or Everyday Decisions - Daily or everyday decisions are routine decisions like minor medical treatment, bedtimes, homework, chores, selection of clothing and normal daily activities.
Daily decisions shall be made by the parent having actual physical custody at the time of the decision. The parents shall cooperate in establishing mutually agreeable policies regarding such decisions in order that routine decisions remain as consistent as possible.
Emergency Decisions - Emergency decisions are decisions of an urgent nature. They affect the health and safety of the children and have to be made before it is possible to contact the other parent.
The parent who is with the minor child requiring emergency care may make the emergency decision. The parent making the emergency decision shall advise the other parent of the nature and extent of the emergency as soon as possible.
9. Legal Custody
Mother and Father – Joint Legal Custody
It is in the best interests of the children that Mother and Father have joint legal custody of the children. Major decisions shall be made by Mother and Father jointly. If Mother and Father disagree on a major decision they shall resolve their disagreement through the dispute resolution procedure set forth herein.
Mother – Sole Legal Custody to Mother
It is in the best interests of the children that Mother has sole legal custody of the children. Major decisions affecting the children shall be made by Mother. Mother and Father cannot share joint legal custody because:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Father – Sole Legal Custody to Father
It is in the best interests of the children that Father has sole legal custody of the children. Major decisions affecting the children shall be made by Father. Mother and Father cannot share joint legal custody because:
Third Party – Sole Legal Custody to Third Party
It is in the best interest of the children that _____________________ (hereinafter referred to as
“Third Party”) has sole legal and sole physical custody of the children. Major decisions affecting the children shall be made by Third Party. Both parents are unfit, unsuitable, or unable to be a custodian of the children or the welfare of the children requires that neither parent have physical custody.
10.Residential Schedules
Mother and Father shall have physical custody of the children as they agree. In the event they do not agree, then Mother and Father shall exchange the children as set forth in the attached residential schedules marked as Exhibit Number ____________.
Because the children need a continuing relationship with both parents, each parent shall consider reasonable changes when requested by the other parent or the children. If a significant change is made, either parent may reduce their agreement to writing. All changes are unenforceable unless in writing and signed by both parents.
Parenting Plan Part A – Custody of the Children – Page 2
11.Notification of Change from Residential Schedule
12.Transportation
In the event either parent cannot exercise the scheduled time with the children, he or she should tell the other parent as soon as possible, but not later than 24 hours before the start of the scheduled time with the children. If a parent anticipates that he or she may have to cancel at the last minute, he or she should advise the other parent of the possible last minute conflict. If a parent fails to notify the other as set forth above, he or she shall be responsible for the reasonable costs incurred by the other parent.
The parent who has the children takes the children to the exchange location. Each party will pay the expenses associated with his or her own transportation to and from the exchange location unless otherwise indicated in this parenting plan.
13.Location of Exchanges
If a specific location for an exchange is not stated on the schedule, then the exchange shall occur at the following location:
All exchanges shall occur at the children’s school or child care provider. If the children are not in attendance at school or day care, then the exchange shall occur at
____________________________________.
All exchanges shall occur at the Mother’s Residence.
All exchanges shall occur at the Father’s Residence.
All exchanges shall occur at ____________________________________.
14.Physical Custody
Joint Physical Custody Using Mother’s Address - It is in the best interest of the children that Mother and Father have joint physical custody of the children. The address of the children for mailing and educational purposes is the same as that of Mother.
Joint Physical Custody Using Father’s Address – It is in the best interest of the children that Mother and Father have joint physical custody of the children. The address of the children for mailing and educational purposes is the same as that of Father.
Sole Physical Custody to Mother and Visitation to Father – It is in the best interests of the children that Mother has sole physical custody of the children and that Father have visitation as set forth herein.
Sole Physical Custody to Father and Visitation to Mother – It is in the best interests of the children that Father has sole physical custody of the children and that Mother have visitation as set forth herein.
Sole Physical Custody to Mother and Supervised Visitation to Father – It is in the best interests of the children that Mother have sole physical custody of the children and Father have supervised visitation as set forth herein. Unsupervised visitation would endanger the children’s physical health or impair their emotional development because:____________________________________________________________________.
Visitation will be supervised by __________________________________________________.
Sole Physical Custody to Father and Supervised Visitation to Mother - It is in the best interests of the children that Father have sole physical custody of the children and Mother have supervised visitation as set forth herein. Unsupervised visitation would endanger the children’s physical health or impair their emotional development because:
___________________________________________________________________________.
Other:
______________________________________________________________________________
Parenting Plan Part A – Custody of the Children – Page 3
15. Relocation
RSMo. §452.377states:
“Absent exigent circumstances as determined by a court with jurisdiction, you as a party to this action are ordered to notify, in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, and at least sixty days prior to the proposed relocation, each party to this action of any proposed relocation of the principal residence of the child, including the following information:
(1)The intended new residence, including the specific address and mailing address, if known, and if not known, the city;
(2)The home telephone number of the new residence, if known;
(3)The date of the intended move or proposed relocation;
(4)A brief statement of the specific reasons for the proposed relocation of the child; and
(5)A proposal for a revised schedule of custody or visitation with the child.
Your obligation to provide this information to each party continues as long as you or any other party by virtue of this order is entitled to custody of a child covered by this order. Your failure to obey the order of this court regarding the proposed relocation may result in further litigation to enforce such order, including contempt of court. In addition, your failure to notify a party of a relocation of the child may be considered in a proceeding to modify custody or visitation with the child. Reasonable costs and attorney fees may be assessed against you if you fail to give the required notice.”
16.Dispute Resolution Procedure
17.Additional Provisions Pertaining to Custody of the Children
If the parties do not agree on the interpretation of this Parenting Plan, they shall submit the dispute to a mediator chosen by them for non-binding mediation. In the event they are not able to agree on a mediator they shall each select a mediator from the list of approved mediators maintained by the St. Louis County Family Court and the two mediators shall determine who shall mediate the case. The parents are to make a good faith effort to resolve their disagreement. In the event that the parents cannot resolve the dispute by mediation, they may submit the issue to the Court through appropriate proceedings.
Additional dispute resolution procedures are as follows:
Additional provisions pertaining to the custody of the children are on the attached addendum(s) to parenting plan marked as exhibit(s) ____________.
The following paragraphs differ from Form CCFC179 ________________________________________.
____________________________
Mother
Father
Guardian ad Litem
Attorney for Mother
Attorney For Father
Judge or Commissioner
Parenting Plan Part A – Custody of the Children – Page 4
Form CCFC180 – Residential Schedules
1.Weekend and Weekday Schedule
Week One
Definition
Each exchange should be written on the Weekend and Weekday Exchange Schedule. A sample entry for one of the exchanges may be as follows: “5:30 p.m. Father receives children”. This means that at 5:30 p.m., Father will begin a period of time during which the children will be with him.
The last person to receive custody on the Weekend and Weekday Schedule must be different than the first person to receive custody on the schedule because after each two week period, the cycle repeats itself. There is always an even number of exchanges for a two week period.
If no exchange location is specified, then the exchange shall occur at the location set forth in Parenting Plan Part A Paragraph 13 “Location of Exchanges.”
To determine whether the week one or week two schedule applies, you should refer to the definitions below.
As used in this Parenting Plan, “Week One” on the Weekday and Weekend Exchange Schedule is defined as a week that has Sunday on one of the following dates:
January
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
29
30
31
February
12
13
14
26
27
28
March
April
9
10
11
23
24
25
May
8
22
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Week Two Definition
As used in this Parenting Plan, “Week Two” on the Weekday and Weekend Exchange Schedule is defined as a week that has Sunday on one of the following dates:
Parenting Plan Part A – Residential Schedules – Page 1
Form CCFC180-11/09
2.Vacation Schedule
3. Holidays
No specific weeks will be set aside for vacations.
The parents will have physical custody of the children for alternating weeks during the summer. This schedule commences on the first Friday after the last day of classes for the child(ren) for the school year at 6:00 p.m. and ends on the last Friday at 6:00 p.m. preceding the first day of school for the following school year. Mother shall have the first week of physical custody in even numbered years, and Father shall have the first week of physical custody in odd numbered years. All exchanges will occur at 6:00 p.m. on Friday.
The parents will alternate the weeks throughout the summer, coordinating the childcare and recreational programs to the extent possible. Each parent is responsible for ensuring that the child is cared for during the workday during his or her weeks of physical custody.
If the school year ends during different weeks for the child(ren), then the summer schedule commences on the first Friday at 6:00 p.m. after the last day of classes for the last child to finish classes for the school year. If the school year begins during different weeks for the child(ren), then the summer schedule shall end on the last Friday at 6:00 p.m. before the first day of classes for the first child to begin classes for the school year.
Each parent may designate ______ week(s) each year during which they will have exclusive
physical custody of the children and the regular or alternative exchange weekday and weekend schedules do not apply. Father shall have first choice of weeks in odd-numbered years. Mother will have first choice of weeks in even-numbered years.
The parent with the first choice of weeks must designate his or her vacation week(s) by
___________. Thereafter, the other parent must designate his or her vacation week(s) by
___________. If the vacation schedule conflicts with the holiday schedule, the holiday
schedule takes precedence. Other Vacation Provisions:
__________________________________________________________________________
A different schedule can apply on holidays. The times each parent will have with the children during the holidays are set forth on the Holiday Exchange Schedule on page 5 and the Additional Special Occasion Exchange Schedule of these Residential Schedules.
Holidays and vacations do not alter the “Week One” or “Week Two” designation, but they do apply ahead of the regular schedule. If the holiday schedule conflicts with any other schedule, the holiday schedule takes precedence.
The following paragraphs differ from Form CCFC180 ________________________________________.
Parenting Plan Part A – Residential Schedules – Page 2
Weekday and Weekend Exchange Schedule
DAY OF WEEK
EXCHANGES FOR DAY
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
ONE
WEEK
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
TWO
Exchanges should be set forth on this schedule. For example, if Father picks up the children at the default location set forth in paragraph 13 for the period of time the children will be with him on Friday, then you would enter “Father receives children at 5:00 p.m.” in the box next to the correct Friday. If the transfer occurs at a different location, you would enter “Father receives children at 5:00 p.m. at Mother’s residence”. There should always be an even number of exchanges on this schedule.
Parenting Plan Part A – Residential Schedules – Page 3
Holiday Exchange Schedule
Even
Odd
Physical Custody
Holiday
Numbered
Years
From
To
FATHER or
Time
MOTHER
New Year’s Day
King Day
President’s Day
Easter
Spring Break
Memorial Day
Independence
Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Parenting Plan Part A – Residential Schedules – Page 4
Additional Special Occasion Exchange Schedule
Halloween
Mother’s Day
Father’s Day
Mother’s
Birthday
Father’s
Child’s Birthday
Parenting Plan Part A – Residential Schedules – Page 5
Form CCFC200 – Addendum to Parenting Plan Part A Domestic Violence
1.Domestic Violence between Parents
You must check one and only one of the following five boxes.
There has been no domestic violence between the parents.
There has been domestic violence by Mother against Father. Any educational records of the children shall not include the address of Father or the children.
There has been domestic violence by Father against Mother. Any educational records of the children shall not include the address of Mother or the children.
There has been domestic violence by Mother against Father; however, the educational records of the children may include the address of Father or the children.
There has been domestic violence by Father against Mother; however, the educational records of the children may include the address of Mother or the children.
2.Pattern of Domestic Violence between Parents
3.Other Domestic Violence Provisions
You must check one and only one of the following three boxes.
There has been no pattern of domestic violence by either Mother or Father.
There has been a pattern of domestic violence by Mother against Father. This parenting plan best protects the children and Father from any further violence.
There has been a pattern of domestic violence by Father against Mother. This parenting plan best protects the children and Mother from any further violence.
___________________________________________________________________________
Parenting Plan Part A – Domestic Violence
Form CCFC200-11/10
Filling out the Missouri Parenting Plan form is a crucial step in determining the custody arrangements that will best support your child's needs and well-being. This process requires careful consideration and clear communication between all parties involved. By following these detailed instructions, you can ensure that your parenting plan is comprehensive and reflects the best interests of your child.
After completing these steps, review the entire document to ensure all the information is accurate and reflects the agreed terms. This form, once finalized and submitted, will play a vital role in your child’s life, highlighting the importance of being thorough and thoughtful throughout the process.
The Missouri Parenting Plan Form is designed to establish a comprehensive framework for parenting arrangements following a separation or divorce. Its primary goal is to address and document key aspects of the children's care, including custody arrangements, decision-making responsibilities, communication protocols between parents, and schedules for the children's time with each parent. By creating a clear plan, it aims to minimize conflicts and ensure that the children's needs and welfare remain the focus of parenting efforts post-divorce or separation.
Deciding between joint legal custody and sole legal custody involves considering what's in the best interests of the children. Joint legal custody allows both parents to share in making significant decisions about their children's lives, such as education, medical care, and religious instruction. It requires a cooperative effort and effective communication between the parents. Sole legal custody, on the other hand, grants only one parent the authority to make these major decisions. This option may be appropriate in situations where one parent is unfit, unable, or unwilling to participate in these responsibilities, or when it is otherwise in the best interest of the child. The decision should be based on factors such as the parents' ability to cooperate, the children's relationships with each parent, and any history of abuse or neglect.
These decisions are considered significant because they have a long-term impact on the child's well-being and development. Parents with joint legal custody must discuss and agree on these matters, while a parent with sole legal custody has the authority to make these decisions independently.
Changes in the residential schedule should be communicated as openly and as far in advance as possible. The Missouri Parenting Plan Form stipulates that if either parent cannot exercise scheduled time with the children, they should notify the other parent no later than 24 hours before the start of the scheduled time. If last-minute changes are anticipated, the parent should advise the other parent of the likelihood of the conflict as soon as possible. Failure to notify the other parent may lead to the responsible parent bearing the costs incurred by the other parent due to the change. This protocol promotes cooperation and minimizes disruptions to the children's routine.
In the event of disagreements regarding major decisions, the Missouri Parenting Plan outlines a dispute resolution procedure. Initially, parents are encouraged to attempt to resolve their disagreement through direct communication and compromise. If an agreement cannot be reached, the parents are advised to seek non-binding mediation with a mediator they both select. Should mediation fail to produce a resolution, the issue can be submitted to the court for a decision. This layered approach encourages parents to work together towards a solution in the best interest of their children, while providing a structured method for addressing irresolvable disputes.
Filling out the Missouri Parenting Plan form is a critical step in custody cases, ensuring that the needs of the children and the responsibilities of the parents are clearly outlined. However, mistakes in this process can lead to misunderstandings, enforcement issues, and may negatively affect the welfare of the children involved. Here are four common mistakes to avoid:
Not specifying the method of communication: The form provides options for parents to choose how they will communicate about the children, including in-person, phone, email, etc. A frequent mistake is not specifying the preferred method(s) of communication or not considering all relevant methods. Clear communication channels can prevent misunderstandings and ensure both parents are involved in their children’s lives.
Omitting details on decision-making: Major decisions regarding the children—such as educational choices, healthcare, and religious upbringing—need to be jointly made by parents with legal custody. However, failing to clearly define who is responsible for these decisions, or how disagreements will be resolved, can lead to conflicts. It’s crucial to outline these processes explicitly in the parenting plan.
Vague residential schedules: The Parenting Plan requires detailed residential schedules, including weekdays, weekends, holidays, and vacation times. A common mistake is providing vague schedules or not accounting for special occasions, which can cause scheduling conflicts and stress for both the children and parents. Ensuring detailed schedules are in place helps maintain consistency and stability for the children.
Neglecting to plan for changes: Life circumstances change, and parenting plans might need adjustments. Families often overlook the inclusion of clauses for reviewing and modifying the parenting plan. Without such provisions, adapting to changes in the parents’ or children’s lives can become a contentious and legally challenging process. Agreeing in advance on how the plan can be reviewed and modified can save a lot of headaches in the future.
When parents take the time to carefully fill out the Missouri Parenting Plan form, considering these potential pitfalls, they are laying a strong foundation for cooperative parenting and ensuring the best interests of their children are at the forefront. Attention to detail, clear communication, and planning for the future are key elements to successfully completing this form.
When navigating through the process of establishing a parenting plan in Missouri, it's essential to be aware that this plan often encompasses more than just the primary document itself. Several other forms and documents might be used along with the Missouri Parenting Plan form to ensure a comprehensive and enforceable agreement. Below is a list of these crucial documents along with brief descriptions for each to help you understand their importance and function.
Ensuring you have the right documentation in place alongside your Missouri Parenting Plan is crucial for creating a clear, enforceable agreement that serves the best interests of your children while also respecting the rights and responsibilities of each parent. Having these forms completed and ready can significantly streamline the legal process, making it easier for everyone involved to navigate the challenges of co-parenting from separate households.
The Missouri Parenting Plan form is similar to other legal documents that facilitate co-parenting arrangements, such as the Child Custody and Visitation Agreement and the Divorce Settlement Agreement, in several ways. Each of these documents focuses on the best interests of the child, outlines parental responsibilities, and sets forth custody and visitation schedules. However, the Missouri Parenting Plan form is specifically tailored to comply with Missouri law, providing a comprehensive framework for addressing the child's needs, including health care, education, and emotional well-being, as well as specifying legal and physical custody arrangements.
Similar to the Missouri Parenting Plan form, the Child Custody and Visitation Agreement outlines how parents will share custody and visitation of their children. Both documents detail schedules for weekdays, weekends, holidays, and other special occasions, ensuring that the children maintain strong relationships with both parents. The key difference is that the Child Custody and Visitation Agreement may be more generalized and not state-specific. Like the Missouri Parenting Plan, it emphasizes effective communication between parents and safeguards the child's right to access both parents, making it an essential tool for co-parenting.
The Divorce Settlement Agreement shares similarities with the Missouri Parenting Plan form in that it can include provisions for the custody, support, and visitation of children when parents divorce. It goes beyond the scope of the Missouri Parenting Plan by also addressing the division of property, debts, alimony, and other financial matters. While the Missouri Parenting Plan is focused primarily on the well-being and developmental needs of the children within the context of custody and visitation, the Divorce Settlement Agreement covers a broader range of issues arising from the dissolution of marriage, making it a comprehensive document for finalizing a divorce.
When filling out the Missouri Parenting Plan form, it's crucial to approach the document with great care and attention to detail. The future wellbeing and handling of responsibilities for your child or children depend on the clarity and comprehensiveness of this plan. Here are ten things you should and shouldn't do when completing the form:
By following these guidelines, you'll create a more effective and comprehensive parenting plan that serves the best interests of your children and reduces the potential for conflict between parents.
Many individuals navigating through custody arrangements in Missouri encounter misunderstandings regarding the Missouri Parenting Plan form. Here are nine common misconceptions explained to aid in a smoother process.
Only one parent is granted access to the children’s records. Contrary to common belief, the Missouri Parenting Plan form stipulates that unless otherwise indicated, both parents are entitled to access records related to their children, including medical and educational records. This means that both parents can stay informed about their children’s wellbeing and progress without unnecessary barriers.
Non-custodial parents have limited involvement in their children's activities. The form clearly emphasizes the importance of attempting to accommodate the children’s social and academic commitments, ensuring that activities do not infringe upon the other parent's time without prior consent. This ensures that both parents are involved in their child's extracurricular and academic life.
It is acceptable to speak negatively about the other parent in front of the children. The form expressly forbids parents from making derogatory remarks about each other in the presence of their children. It encourages fostering respect and affection towards each parent, highlighting the emotional and psychological wellbeing of the children as a priority.
Communication between parents is unrestricted. While communication concerning the children is encouraged, the form details specific methods of communication and may include restrictions on contact times to ensure that the communication is reasonable and respectful of each parent's time with the children.
Physical custody equates to making major decisions for the children. Even in joint physical custody arrangements, major life decisions (such as education, medical care, and religious instruction) are not automatically determined by the parent with whom the children physically reside. These decisions are often shared or allocated specifically within the plan, depending on the legal custody arrangements.
The parenting plan is rigid and cannot accommodate changes in schedules. Flexibility is built into the form through provisions for accommodating reasonable schedule changes and altering custody or visitation schedules as needed, with the requirement of written agreement from both parents for enforcement purposes.
Relocation with the children does not require formal notification. On the contrary, the parent planning to relocate must provide detailed information, including the new address and reasons for the move, to the other parent well in advance, as outlined in the form. This legal requirement ensures that decisions are made in consideration of the children’s best interests and the rights of both parents.
Disputes can only be resolved through court intervention. The form endorses mediation as a first step in dispute resolution, encouraging parents to resolve disagreements amicably and efficiently before resorting to legal proceedings. This emphasizes the system's preference for collaborative parenting post-separation.
Supervised visitation is a standard requirement. Supervised visitation is not standard and is only recommended in cases where a child’s safety and emotional development are at risk. The form allows for customization based on each family's specific needs, with the ultimate goal being the welfare and safety of the children.
Understanding these aspects of the Missouri Parenting Plan form can alleviate misconceptions and contribute to a smoother, more amicable custody arrangement process that prioritizes the best interests of the children involved.
Completing and using the Missouri Parenting Plan form is a critical process for parents involved in custody arrangements. Here are five key takeaways to ensure that the form is filled out properly and adhered to effectively:
Understanding and adhering to the guidelines outlined in the Missouri Parenting Plan form promotes a structured, respectful, and cooperative co-parenting arrangement. This not only benefits the parents in managing their responsibilities but, most importantly, supports the overall wellbeing and stability of the children involved.
St Louis County Local Rules - It includes a section for specifying how major holidays, school breaks, and special days like birthdays will be managed between parents.
Machs Background Check - The SHP 984B form underscores the cooperative relationship between the applicant, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the FBI, and the designated fingerprinting service, facilitating a seamless process.