California Parenting Plan
A California parenting plan sets the schedule, holidays, and decision-making for your kids. Draft yours free here, structured around legal and physical custody, plus visitation (parenting time), then finish it at FamilyCourtHelp.com.
Parenting plans, made local
In California, a good parenting plan covers four things: the regular time-sharing schedule, holidays and school breaks, decision-making, and how parents communicate and handle exchanges. Family cases here generally go through the Superior Court.
California describes custody as legal and physical custody, plus visitation (parenting time). Drafting it yourself first — for free — means you walk in organized instead of starting from a blank page.
What your plan should cover
- Regular schedule — who has the children which days and nights (legal and physical custody).
- Holidays, birthdays, and school breaks — alternate or split each year.
- Summer and long-weekend time.
- Exchanges — where and when handoffs happen, and who drives.
- Decision-making — school, medical, religion, and activities.
- Communication — how co-parents reach each other and the children.
- Travel and relocation rules.
Choosing a schedule
Common schedules California families use include week-on/week-off (50/50), a 2-2-3 rotation, every-other-weekend with a mid-week visit, and primary time with one parent. Pick a starting point in the builder and adjust it to fit your work and the kids' school.
How to draft yours free
- Answer a few plain questions about your family and California schedule.
- The builder drafts the schedule, holidays, exchanges, and decision-making for you.
- Review every section and tweak anything you want.
- Create a free account at FamilyCourtHelp.com to save, edit, and download your finished plan with a monthly membership.
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Frequently asked questions
- It helps, but you can draft a proposed plan on your own and bring it to mediation or court. A clear written plan gives the Superior Court a concrete starting point built around the child's best interest.
Start your parenting plan draft
Draft yours for free, then finish and download inside FamilyCourtHelp.com with a monthly membership.