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 West Virginia, 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. West Virginia 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 for them. The state does not use a standard possession order (SPO) like some other states. Instead, each case is evaluated individually, and the court may require each parent to submit a proposed parenting plan during custody proceedings. The court's primary consideration is always the best interests of the child, and it will consider factors such as the child's age, the parents' work schedules, and the child's relationship with each parent when approving or creating a parenting plan.