Sample long-distance parenting plans, templates, and example language are available from a variety of sources, including state and local courts. Having examples to work from makes the process of drafting your own parenting plan significantly more practical, both for understanding what should be included and for finding language that holds up in court.
Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Sample plans from other states or counties may not reflect the laws or requirements of your jurisdiction. Consult a qualified family law attorney before finalizing any parenting plan.
How to Use Sample Long-Distance Parenting Plans
Sample parenting plans are starting points, not finished documents. Here is how to use them effectively:
Use them for language. Court-authored samples often contain specific legal phrasing that has been tested and refined. Borrowing that language for your own plan is exactly what these resources are designed for.
Adapt them to your situation. No sample plan will match your circumstances exactly. Use the structure and language as a framework and adjust the specifics: distances, visitation schedules, and communication arrangements, to reflect your actual situation.
Check your jurisdiction. Family law varies significantly by state and county. A plan written for Oregon may not reflect the requirements or standards of your state. Use out-of-jurisdiction samples for language inspiration rather than as a direct template.
Involve an attorney. Even if you plan to represent yourself, having a family law attorney review your final parenting plan before filing is worth the cost. A plan that is missing required elements or uses unenforceable language creates problems later.
For a full guide to creating your parenting plan from scratch, see How to Create a Legally Binding Long Distance Parenting Plan.
Sample Long Distance Parenting Plans
- This is a sample long-distance or out-of-state parenting plan from the Crook/Jefferson Circuit Court in Oregon. This is a Word document, so you might get a warning from your browser or OS about verifying it is from a safe source before opening.
- This law firm page provides some sample language for long-distance parenting plans.
- 6th Judicial district (Oregon) parenting plan template, written for parents living more than 225 miles apart. Made available by a private law firm. This includes a basic template and example language for a long-distance parenting plan.
- Schedule B Long Distance Parenting Time Guidelines : Specific to Fulton County OH, for distances over 150 Miles. However, this contains some good example language for a long-distance parenting plan.
- Allocation of Parental Rights and Responsibilities Long Distance Parenting Schedule. This is also from Ohio and is specific to Lucas County. It also contains some good sample long-distance parenting plan language.
- Utah Model Parenting Plans for Parent/Child Access – This is for Utah and contains a section on long-distance parenting plans. Although the example language is crafted for Utah, it gives the ‘why’ for each sample language blurb, so they could be adjusted easily.
- APPENDIX F Long Distance Parenting Schedule – Written for parents who live more than 150 miles apart, in Hancock County. It includes a lot of good sample long-distance parenting plan language.
- LONG-DISTANCE PARENTING PLANS:NUTS, BOLTS & CAVEATS – It includes a sample long-distance parenting plan with many great inclusions, beginning on page 14.
Frequently Asked Questions
A comprehensive long-distance parenting plan typically covers physical and legal custody arrangements; a detailed visitation schedule, including holidays and school breaks; travel arrangements and cost responsibility; virtual visitation provisions; communication protocols between the parent and child; decision-making procedures for education, health, and other major matters; and dispute resolution processes.
You can use out-of-state samples for language inspiration and structural guidance, but should not adopt them directly. Family law requirements vary by state and county. A plan that meets Oregon’s requirements may not meet yours. Always verify that your final plan reflects the specific requirements of your jurisdiction before filing.
A sample plan is not legally binding on its own. A parenting plan becomes legally binding when it is filed with and approved by the court that has jurisdiction over your custody case. Until that point, it is a working document.
A parenting plan is the document that outlines the arrangements both parents agree to. A custody order is the court-issued document that makes those arrangements legally enforceable. In many cases, the parenting plan is incorporated into the custody order when the court approves it.
Yes. Parenting plans can be modified when there is a significant change in circumstances, such as a parent relocating, a change in the child’s needs, or a substantial change in either parent’s situation. Modifications require court approval in most jurisdictions.
You are not required to have an attorney, but it is strongly recommended that you have one review your plan before filing. Family law is complex, and a plan with missing or unenforceable language can create significant problems if disputes arise later.
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