Parenting plan checklist: what to include
Updated October 7, 2026 · General information, not legal advice
A good parenting plan covers the regular schedule, holidays and vacations, how decisions are made, how costs are shared, travel, how you'll communicate, and what happens if you disagree. The Government of Canada offers a free parenting plan tool to work through it.
Time with each parent
- The regular weekly or two-week schedule, and handoff times and places
- Holidays, birthdays and school breaks, and whether they alternate by year
- Summer and vacation time, and the date by which each parent gives notice
Decisions
Who decides about health care, education, religion and major activities, and whether those decisions are shared. Include how you'll ask each other and how long the other parent has to answer.
Costs
How regular child support and special or extraordinary expenses are handled, how they're split, and whether costs over a set amount need agreement first. In Canada, section 7 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines covers special expenses.
Travel and documents
Notice needed before travel, consent letters for trips outside Canada, and who holds the children's passports and health cards, which some plans alternate by year.
Communication and changes
How you'll communicate (for example, in writing through an app), how quickly you'll reply, how schedule swaps work, how much notice is needed before moving, and when you'll review the plan as the children grow.
Disagreements
What you'll do if you can't agree, such as mediation or a parenting coordinator, before going to court.
Try the custody schedule builder
Questions
Is there an official parenting plan template in Canada?
The Department of Justice Canada offers a free online parenting plan tool and guidance. Provinces and territories may have their own resources too.
Should a lawyer review our parenting plan?
It's wise to get independent legal advice, especially if the plan will become part of a court order or separation agreement.
Once your plan is agreed, upload it to Tandem: it builds your calendar, quotes the right clause on requests and reminds you of yearly deadlines.
Sources: Department of Justice Canada: create a parenting plan; Federal Child Support Guidelines, section 7. Laws and official guidance change; check the source and speak to a lawyer about your situation.