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 Montana, a parenting plan is a required component of any divorce or child custody proceeding involving minor children. The parenting plan outlines how the parents will share responsibility for the care, custody, support, and decision-making for their children. Montana law encourages parents to work together to create a mutually agreeable plan that serves the best interests of the child. If parents cannot agree on a plan, each parent may be required to submit a proposed parenting plan to the court. The court will then make a decision based on the child's best interests. The parenting plan typically addresses physical and legal custody, visitation schedules, holiday and vacation planning, transportation arrangements, and how future modifications will be handled. Montana does not use a standard possession order (SPO) like some other states, but the state's laws provide guidelines to help parents and courts establish a fair and workable parenting plan.