Parenting plans—also known as custody agreements or custody and visitation agreements—are proposals submitted by parents for how issues involving children should be handled following a divorce or other proceeding in family court. The court will usually request the parents submit such a document proposing how conservatorship (decision-making), custody or possession, support, and other issues will be handled. The court may adopt some or all of these proposals and include them in the court’s order (divorce decree, child support and custody order), at which point the become legally enforceable.

In many states there is a standard possession order (SPO) that serves as the default terms for such matters, and as a useful starting point for parents who wish to modify it by agreement.

In South Carolina, parenting plans are required in cases involving child custody and visitation. These plans outline how parents will share responsibilities and time with their children after a divorce or separation. The parenting plan must address legal custody (decision-making authority) and physical custody (where the child will live), as well as visitation schedules, child support, and how future modifications will be handled. South Carolina law encourages parents to work together to create a plan that serves the best interests of the child, and the court will review the proposed plan to ensure it meets legal standards. If parents cannot agree on a plan, the court will intervene and establish one based on the child's best interests. While South Carolina does not have a standard possession order (SPO) like some states, the court may use established guidelines to inform its decision. Once approved by the court, the parenting plan becomes part of the legally binding court order and is enforceable by law.