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 Rhode Island, a parenting plan or custody agreement is a legal document that outlines how divorced or separated parents will share the responsibilities of raising their minor children. This includes provisions for physical custody (where the child will live), legal custody (decision-making authority for the child's welfare), visitation schedules, child support, and how future modifications will be handled. Rhode Island law encourages parents to work together to create a parenting plan that serves the best interests of the child. If parents cannot agree on a plan, the court will intervene and establish a plan based on the child's best interests. While Rhode Island does not use the term 'Standard Possession Order' as some other states do, the state's family courts have the authority to order custody arrangements that are deemed appropriate for the child's circumstances. Courts in Rhode Island typically require each parent involved in a divorce or child custody proceeding to submit a proposed parenting plan for consideration.