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 Utah, 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), visitation schedules, child support, and how future modifications will be handled. Utah law requires that a parenting plan be created and submitted to the court during divorce proceedings involving children or in any other child custody case. The plan must be in the best interests of the children and is subject to approval by the court. If parents cannot agree on a plan, the court may order mediation or decide the terms of the parenting plan. Utah does not use the term 'standard possession order' (SPO), which is more commonly used in Texas, but the concept is similar in that the state provides guidelines to help parents and courts create a parenting plan that addresses the needs of the children and the rights of both parents.