A parenting plan or custody agreement is a document that addresses how the parents of minor children will share responsibility for the custody, support, and management of the children. Some states have a standard possession order (SPO) that addresses many of these issues. Courts often require each party to a divorce or child custody proceeding to submit a proposed parenting plan.
In Iowa, a parenting plan or custody agreement is a crucial document in divorce or child custody proceedings involving minor children. This plan outlines how parents will divide and share responsibilities such as physical custody, legal custody, child support, visitation schedules, and decision-making for the children's welfare. Iowa law encourages parents to work together to create a joint parenting plan that serves the best interests of the child. If parents cannot agree, each parent may be required to submit a proposed parenting plan to the court. The court will then decide on custody arrangements based on the child's best interests. Iowa does not use a standard possession order (SPO) like some other states. Instead, custody arrangements are tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, with the overarching goal of ensuring that the child maintains a strong relationship with both parents, whenever possible.