Fillable Printable Sample Parenting Agreement Between Mother and Father Who Are Both Biological Parents
Fillable Printable Sample Parenting Agreement Between Mother and Father Who Are Both Biological Parents
Sample Parenting Agreement Between Mother and Father Who Are Both Biological Parents
Sample Parenting Agreement Between Mother and Father
Who Are Both Biological Parents
_________ (mother) and ________ (father), desiring individually and
cooperatively to bring forth and love a child within the context of a loving and diverse
community and according to the values they hold in relation to spiritual, cultural, and
political matters, hereby enter into the following agreement. It is the mother and father’s
intention to share in the physical, emotional, and financial support of the child. The
process that led to this agreement has been a considered and conscious one.
A. Child’s Residence
1. We intend for the child to have a strong emotional bond with both parents. The
child shall reside with the mother and father as stated below, with the goal of fostering a
strong relationship with both parents. The mother and father both acknowledge that each
has a strong commitment to the child being reared in with the help of other adults, and
furthermore, both parents intend to foster and support these extended community
relationships with the child.
2. General principles:
a. Residence: The child shall reside with the father 2/7 time and the mother 5/7
time, beginning no later than age 2, except that the time for beginning this arrangement is
subject to the mother’s ultimate decision-making authority as to when the child is ready
for such an arrangement. The mother and father agree that the father’s 2/7 time shall
generally mean at least two time periods a week of approximately 24 hours each. If the
child is not residing with the father 2/7 time by age 2, and if the mother and father
disagree about when the 2/7 time with the father should occur, the disagreement shall be
resolved by the procedure for conflict resolution specified under section F.2.a of this
agreement.
b. Flexibility and cooperation: Both parents will make their best effort to
coordinate with and accommodate and coordinate with each other’s schedules. Both
parents agree that it may be necessary to be flexible with the physical custody schedule
and arrangements to accommodate the child’s needs, special events, family emergencies,
holidays, and vacations. Both parents agree to discuss the celebration of the child’s
birthday, parents’ birthdays, religious and other holidays, and vacations in a timely
manner.
3. Prior to age 2: During the first month of his or her life, the child shall live with
the mother, and the father may visit the baby daily at the mother’s home at a mutually
acceptable time. Recognizing that the mother will be making a major adjustment during
that time period, the father agrees to be flexible and sensitive to the needs of the mother
and the baby as to the timing and length of his visits. During the rest of the nursing
period, which could last until age 2, both parents agree that it would be preferable that the
father have the child at his home as soon as it is deemed healthy for the child and at times
when it will not interfere with the child’s nursing schedule.
B. Cooperation in Decision Making
1. Birth to age 7: Both parents agree that during the first 7 years of the child’s life,
all decisions regarding the child are subject to the mother’s final decision-making
authority, except as specified in section A.2.a above regarding the child’s 2/7 time
residence with the father by age 2, and section C.2 below (regarding relocation). Except
in the event of a medical emergency, both parents agree to cooperate in making decisions
about topics including, but not limited to, the child’s health care, child care, and
education. To achieve this cooperation, both parents agree to consult with each other and
treat each other with respect. In the event of disagreement, the mother has the obligation
to hear the father’s views and to consider them in making a final decision.
2. After age 7: Both parents will make decisions regarding health care, child care,
and education by consensus. If a decision cannot be reached, both parents will utilize
their procedures for resolving conflict set forth in section F below.
3. Consistency in child-rearing practices: Both parents agree that their child-
rearing practices and everyday routines will be consistent with each other and will be
discussed on an ongoing basis. These practices include, but are not limited to, diet,
bedtime, television, and setting appropriate limits on the child’s behavior.
4. Religion: Both parents acknowledge the fundamental importance of Judaism in
their lives and wish to impart to their child the ethical, cultural, and spiritual values of
Judaism. They are also committed to including other traditions in their cultural
celebrations. They each intend to teach their child to understand and respect all religions
and cultures.
C. Proximity of Parents’ Households
1. Goal of physical proximity: Both parents agree that it would be best if they are
able to reside near each other in order to easily transfer the child between households and
to facilitate their face-to-face contact and communication. Both parents shall make their
best effort to reside no farther apart than approximately one hour by car.
2. Relocation: If either parent intends to move from the city of San Francisco,
both parents shall meet as far in advance of the move as possible and attempt to arrange a
plan for the child’s residence that maintains the agreed-upon time-sharing to the
maximum feasible extent. The goal will remain a time-sharing arrangement comparable
to 2/7 and 5/7, and every effort will be made by both parents to achieve it. In the event
that time cannot be shared as previously set forth and a mutually agreeable plan cannot be
arranged, the mother and father will utilize their procedures for conflict resolution set
forth in Section F. below.
D. Financial Matters
1. Day-to-day expenses: The mother and father shall be individually responsible
for food, clothing, toys, entertainment, and other day-to-day expenses incurred while the
child is living at their respective residences. Both parents acknowledge that the greater
day-to-day expenses will be incurred by the mother, as the child will reside with her 5/7
of the time. Both parents will make their best effort to create and maintain equitable
environments for the child at their respective homes, including but not limited to the
child’s belongings, clothing, toys, and other play equipment.
2. Specific large costs: The father will pay 67% and the mother will pay 33% of
the uninsured costs for prenatal care and birth care, child care, education, medical care
(including insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses), dental care, and
extracurricular activities (camp, lessons, etc.) until the child completes his or her
undergraduate studies or reaches age 25, whichever is sooner. Both parents agree to
notify each other promptly of significant changes in their income that might affect their
ability to comply with the 2:1 ratio. In the event of such a change, both parents agree to
meet and discuss whether to alter the ratio. Out-of-pocket medical costs will include, but
are not limited to, noncovered alternative health care, dental, orthodontics, deductibles,
and copayments.
3. Medical insurance: The child will have continuous medical insurance from
birth until he or she has completed undergraduate studies or reached age 25, whichever is
sooner. The child will be covered by whichever parent’s medical insurance offers the
most comprehensive and least costly coverage for the child. Coverage may be provided
for the child under both parents’ medical insurance if such coverage is complimentary.
4. Life insurance: Both parents agree to provide funds for the care of the child in
the event that one or both of them should die. The father will name the child as sole
beneficiary for an existing life insurance policy in the amount of $______, and agrees to
maintain that coverage in effect, or obtain equivalent life insurance coverage to be
effective until the child reaches age 25. The mother will not purchase life insurance but
instead will name the child in her will as heir, to wit: (1) all her devisable assets
remaining after payment of taxes and other valid claims against her estate, if the value of
such remaining devisable assets is less than $______ or (2) a portion of her devisable
assets remaining after payment of taxes and valid claims against her estate at least
equivalent to $______, if the value of such remaining devisable assets is greater than
$______.
5. Income tax benefits: Both parents will split income tax benefits related to child
care expenses according to the actual financial contributions of each parent. Other tax
deductions and credits will be taken by the parent who will accrue the largest financial
benefit.
6. Disability insurance: The father will continue to maintain in effect a policy of
disability insurance, or equivalent disability insurance coverage, which is in effect at the
time he signs this agreement. Upon the birth of the child, the mother will purchase and
maintain in effect disability insurance for herself.
7. Higher education: Both parents agree that it is their intention that the child
receive a college education. Each parent agrees to contribute to the cost of this education.
A college fund will be established with gifts and may be maintained by regular monthly
or annual contributions by each parent. Both parents will confer annually to determine the
amount of their contributions.
8. Mother’s lost income: The father will pay the mother for 50% of her lost
income due to her inability to work during pregnancy and after the birth of the child. It is
the mother’s intention to resume her normal work schedule gradually during the first
year, as her physical and emotional health and the needs of the baby permit. The father’s
obligation under this paragraph will be limited in duration to one year and in amount to
$30,000. The father shall pay up to $15,000 of this amount in monthly installments to the
mother during the first six months of the period in which she is unable to work, and up to
$15,000 of this amount in monthly installments to her during the second six months of
the period in which she is unable to work. The father’s payments to the mother under this
paragraph shall be due on the first of each month.
E. Death and Disability
Prior to the birth of the child, both parents promise to make a written and properly
signed, witnessed, and notarized will that sets forth guardianship and other arrangements
for the child in the event of their deaths.
At this time, neither the mother or father is in a committed long-term relationship
with a life partner. Both of them want to make such a relationship in the future. When
such relationships occur, the partner and the child may form a significant attachment.
Recognizing that these attachments may be very important, both parents agree that they
will meet periodically and review the statements of arrangements in this agreement for
the disposition of care and custody of the child if either parent should die before the child
reaches the age of majority. It is the intent of both parents that if either of them has a
long-term life partner who develops a significant relationship with the child prior to the
parent’s death, that the surviving partner should be assured a significant continuing role
in the child’s life. Both parents further agree that they are committed to honoring the
child’s established relationships with persons other than themselves, and that this
commitment extends beyond the lifetime of either parent, if either parent should die
before the child reaches the age of majority.
F. Conflict Resolution
1. General principles: The mother and father intend to resolve all conflicts that
might arise between them without resort to courts.
2. Procedure for resolving conflicts:
a. Meeting. If a conflict arises in which both parents cannot reach a consensus,
upon the request of either the mother or the father, they together will convene a
discussion group consisting of one friend of the mother’s choosing, one friend of the
father’s choosing, and a third person both parents agree to include.
b. Counseling and/or Mediation. If the meeting described in the previous
paragraph does not resolve the conflict, and the issue is outside the scope of the mother’s
final decision-making authority, both parents agree that they shall meet with a mutually
acceptable professional counselor and/or mediator. The cost of the session or sessions
with the mediator shall be shared equally.
c. Binding Mediation. If the dispute is not resolved by the means stated in
paragraphs a and b above, both parents agree that they shall submit the dispute to binding
mediation by a mutually acceptable mediator. The cost of the session or sessions with the
mediator shall be shared equally.
d. Binding Arbitration. If a dispute involving the child or this agreement cannot
be resolved by discussion, counseling mediation, both parents acknowledge that each of
them has the option to seek to resolve the dispute by obtaining the agreement of the other
person to binding arbitration. This paragraph shall not be construed to impose any
obligation on either parent to submit to such arbitration.
G. Review and Amendment of This Agreement
Proposed Changes. If either parent would like to consider a clarification of, or
change to, the terms of this agreement, both parents shall meet together and attempt to
reach agreement on any such proposed change.
Amendment. The agreement may only be amended by mutual written consent
between both parents.
H. Miscellaneous Provisions
1. Multiple originals. This agreement shall be signed in four counterparts, each of
which is an original of this agreement. The parents will retain one original each; the other
two originals will each be held by a person known to both parents.
2. Governing law. This agreement is made in the state of _________. It is the
parents’ intent that all questions regarding the interpretation, performance, validity, and
legal effect of this agreement shall be determined by the laws of the state of __________,
regardless of the actual location or residence of either parent now or at any later time.
3. Effectiveness. This agreement shall remain in effect until voided in writing by
both parents or until the child reaches the age at which all terms of this agreement no
longer apply or control.
4. Severability. If any clause of this agreement is determined to be unenforceable,
those clauses shall be severable, while the other provisions of this agreement shall remain
in effect.
Each of us has read this agreement. Each of us understands and agrees to all of its
terms.
___________________ ___________________
mother date
___________________ ___________________
father date
