You can have a lawyer write your custody agreement — or if you want to save money, you can write it yourself. To do this easily, you can use the Custody X Change app.
You can wait to start writing until you've nailed down details with the other parent, or you can create drafts earlier in the process. Ideally, parents should work together closely, rather than have one simply sign off at the end.
Visualize your schedule. Get a written parenting plan. Calculate your parenting time.
Your agreement should contain:
The custody and visitation schedule outlines when the child spends time with each parent. It should show where the child is every day of the year, including holidays.
A complete schedule has:
If you create your schedule with Custody X Change, you'll be able to:
Parenting provisions are the rules both parents agree to follow when raising the child.
Provisions that your agreement should contain include:
Some other helpful provisions for your agreement are:
In Custody X Change, you can choose from more than 140 common provisions, as well as create your own.
Child support details depend on your state's child support formula, unless you and the other parent agree to a different amount.
Generally, support formulas use the number of children in a case, each parent's income and their percentage of time with the children.
It's important to calculate parenting time precisely so the child support award is right. Custody X Change instantly shows you the amount of time each parent has the child — by month or by year, including or excluding school hours.
A few states, such as Washington, keep child support information separate from custody agreements. Check local rules.
Joint custody can mean two things.
In joint custody agreements, parents generally agree to share joint physical and legal custody.
Sole custody can mean two things.
In sole custody agreements, parents usually agree that one of them should have sole physical and legal custody. States generally approve this arrangement when parents consider it best, even though many states officially prefer joint custody.
You need to submit it to the court when you settle your divorce or custody case. You may be able to submit your own document, or you may have to fill out specific paperwork. Check agreement guidelines in your location.
Judges almost always approve agreements between parents, unless it could harm the child. If a parent objects to an agreement, the case goes to trial so the judge can decide custody.
Once your agreement is filed and the judge approves it, it becomes a court order. This means that you can go to court if the other parent violates it. If you make an agreement and don't file it, the court cannot help you.
You have two options for modifying your agreement. If you and the other parent see eye to eye on changes, you can file a new agreement with the court. If you don't agree on changes, you'll have to return to court so a judge can decide if they're in the best interest of the child.
Once you have an agreement in place, Custody X Change helps you know how well it's working. With the app, you can track the actual time each parent has with the children and journal about parenting and custody. You can use these and other tools if you ever need to make changes to your agreement.
Creating a custody agreement on your own can feel overwhelming. You have to address all possible situations, while using airtight legal language.
Use technology to take the guesswork out of the equation. The Custody X Change app walks you through each step of creating an agreement.
The result will be a professional document that demonstrates your competence as a parent and secures your child's future.
The easiest and most reliable way to make a custody agreement is with Custody X Change.
Visualize your schedule. Get a written parenting plan. Calculate your parenting time.
