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 North Carolina, a parenting plan or custody agreement is a legal document that outlines how divorced or separated parents will share responsibilities regarding their minor children. This includes provisions for physical custody (where the children will live), legal custody (decision-making authority for the children's welfare), visitation schedules, child support, and how future modifications will be handled. North Carolina does not use a Standard Possession Order (SPO) like some other states. Instead, the state encourages parents to create a comprehensive parenting agreement that suits their individual circumstances and serves the best interests of the child. If parents cannot agree on a plan, the court will intervene and establish a custody order. Courts in North Carolina typically require each parent to submit a proposed parenting plan during custody proceedings, and these plans are used to facilitate negotiations or to assist the court in making a final decision.