This is a template for Child custody wherein both the parents have joint custody of the child.

What is a child custody agreement?

A Child Custody Agreement is between the parents of a child to determine the terms relating to child custody, visitation, parenting arrangement, and child support ( maintenance and financial arrangement). 

What does a child custody agreement include?

During a separation or a divorce, the parents may decide that both Father and Mother will have custody of the Child. This Agreement determines the time spent by each parent with the Child; who will be making the day to day decisions; who will make important decisions; who will be responsible for child support; where will the child spend their holidays etc. 

Is it important to have a child custody agreement?

It is important to draft a child custody agreement and include a parenting plan keeping the child's best interest in mind. Under this Agreement, the parents have joint custody of the Child and agree to provide reasonable access to the non-custodial parent. The parties can customise the template by choosing the party responsible for making the child support payments, insurance premium and education-related expenses for the Child until they reach the age of majority.

What are the other common names of child custody agreements?

A Child Custody Agreement is also known as Parenting Plan Agreement; Child Visitation Agreement; Custody Plan; Parenting Agreement; Custody Arrangement, or Parental Custody Agreement.

How to use this Document?

This Agreement helps you to address the following critical conditions of child custody:

(a) Joint Custody: Under this agreement, the Mother and Father have joint custody of the Child 

(b) Primary Custody: Both Parents will have primary custody of the child for a specified period with reasonable access to the non-custodial parent.

(c) Child Support (Education and Health care): The template allows you to incorporate an existing child support order or modify the existing child support order. This revised child support needs to be approved by the court to be effective and until then the existing child support order shall continue to be in operation. The Courts generally approve the child support amount that is mutually agreed upon by the parents of the Child.

(d) Holidays/Vacation and Special Days: The Child Custody template allows the parents to decide the visitation for holidays. While the visitation rights on special days (birthday, mothers day) can be decided mutually by the parents on a per-event basis. For vacation, It does give two-week unrestricted access to both parties to go on vacation independently with the Child 

(g) Rules relating to relocation and emergencies

(h) Dispute resolution mechanism (informal discussion and mediation) before the parties decide to go to court.

The Individual Father and Mother should carefully read this document.

Both parties should sign and return a copy, and once signed, both parties should get a copy. To avoid any future disputes, both parties may wish to have their signatures witnessed.

The holiday arrangement, amount of child support and personal information of the Child, Mother and Father order should be clearly stated.

The agreement can be a temporary agreement or a permanent agreement that is
approved by a court with jurisdiction.