The court requires parties to submit a parenting plan in any Maryland case that involves the custody of a minor child. Parties will receive parenting plan documents (Instructions and a Tool) at their first court hearing. Parties who cannot agree on a plan must submit a Joint Statement (CC-DR-110). Watch the video Why Do I Need a Parenting Plan? Learn about child custody at mdcourts.gov/childcustody.
In all circuit courts except for Baltimore City: The Parenting Plan Tool and the Joint Statement must be accompanied by a Notice Regarding Restricted Information Pursuant to Rule 20-201.1 (MDJ-008). Read more about restricted information.
A party is any person who wants to ask the court to establish or maintain a parent-child relationship with a child. This includes biological, adoptive, and de facto parents and legal guardians.
A parenting plan is required in any case a party asks the court for custody or to modify custody of a child. Custody can also be addressed as part of a divorce case. Learn more at mdcourts.gov/childcustody and mdcourts.gov/divorce. A parenting plan is not required in Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) cases.
A parenting plan is a written document that outlines how parties will raise a child. It covers how parties will make major decisions about a child (decision-making authority or legal custody) and when the child spends time with each party (parenting
time or physical custody). Watch the video Parenting Plan Tips.
Parenting plans are a guide for how parties will handle child-related issues. With a parenting plan, parties – not the court – decide what is best for their family after considering the child’s unique needs. While parenting plans are child-focused, they also foster collaborative co-parenting, ensure the child’s continued relationships with each party, and give each party a chance to come up with solutions to problems. The goal is to provide predictability and structure for how the family will function when parties do not live together.
For the court, parenting plans provide insight to the family dynamic and help make child custody orders and modifications uniform and equitable. The hope is that a parenting plan will be a roadmap for how parties navigate conflict without needing to go to court.
Review the Maryland Parent Plan Instructions (CC-DRIN-109) to learn how to create a parenting plan. The Instructions include factors to think about when developing one. Use the Maryland Parenting Plan Tool (CC-DR-109) to create a plan for your family. You will receive both documents at your first appearance in court. Watch the video How Do I Create a Parenting Plan?
Your parenting plan can be general or detailed. A more detailed plan provides your family with a predictable roadmap for how to navigate conflict without the court.
Last updated: January 2020
