Parenting Plan Guide
Coparenting Decisions
There are four types of decisions in co-parenting:
- CUSTODIAL DECISIONS
- DAY-TO-DAY DECISIONS
- EMERGENCY DECISIONS
- DECISIONS ABOUT THE PARENTING PLAN
Custodial — or “Major” — decisions extend only to the major aspects of the kids’ healthcare, education, and religious observance. Some parenting plans also include here decisions about the kids’ permanent or semi-permanent appearance. (tattoos, piercings, haircuts, cosmetic surgery, etc.). This is what we mean when we talk about “custody” or “legal custody”, whether “joint custody” or “sole custody”.
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Day-to-day — or “Minor” — decisions include almost everything else you’ll encounter in the regular course of co-parenting, including most aspects of the kids’ involvement in extracurricular activities.
Emergency decisions are those that can’t wait for the other parent’s input or parenting time without putting your kids in danger. Think emergency rooms, urgent care, or natural disasters.
Parenting plan decisions are the ones about what is or isn’t in your parenting plan document. These decisions are either made by agreement (stipulated) or by a judge when you can’t agree. Either way, they’re made enforceable usually by being incorporated in a court judgement. (More on the unusual methods later.)
