Parenting Plans - Things to Consider When Drafting a Parenting Plan

Sep 25, 2026

Parenting plans must prioritize children’s needs when building custody and visitation arrangements, accounting for children’s age and any special needs. Guidance emphasizes stability and predictability, minimizing transitions and disruptions, keeping the plan simple and consistent, and updating it only as children’s needs change. It also stresses parental flexibility, coordinated involvement in school and activities, and the importance of bonding with both parents, while clarifying that equal time is not the same as equal caregiving.

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Parenting Plans

Key Considerations When Drafting a Parenting Plan

Legal Forms, Mediation, and Disclaimer Notes

PARENTING PLANS When you create a parenting plan the most important things to keep in mind are the needs of the children. How old your children are and what special needs they have will be the most important considerations when the parenting plan is put together. How much time a child spends with one parent or the other is not based on how much they love the child. Both of you will be parenting. A divorce is a big change for your children. They will need to adjust, and the parenting plan needs to take this into consideration. The items listed below are by no means a complete list for all cases. The items listed for consideration are things to keep in mind as you work out a custody plan and order. There are organizations in New Mexico that are available to assist you in putting together a workable plan. Form 4A-300 NMRA suggests that if the parties cannot agree on a plan you might request the help of a mediator. There are specific forms to request this and additional instructions for requesting mediation can be found in the Stage 2 Instructions on the 7th Judicial District’s website. DISCLAIMER: This instruction set is for informational purposes only. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information available here is correct and up to date. However, this document is not a substitute for legal advice, and nothing contained in the site should be construed as legal advice. If you require legal assistance you should CONSULT AN ATTORNEY. The 7th Judicial District Court of the State of New Mexico is not liable for any errors or omissions in the information provided. IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND SOMETHING OR YOU ARE NOT SURE WHAT YOU SHOULD PUT IN YOUR DOCUMENTS, PLEASE CONSULT AN ATTORNEY! Need legal Assistance? The New Mexico State Bar website contains a list of resources for legal assistance and can be found at: [http://www.nmbar.org/nmstatebar/Directory/Other_Legal_Service_Providers/Nmstatebar/For_Public/Oth](http://www.nmbar.org/nmstatebar/Directory/Other_Legal_Service_Providers/Nmstatebar/For_Public/Oth) er_Legal_Service_Providers.aspx The 7th Judicial District offers assistance in what documents you need to file in your case. Contact the court clerks for the date of the next clinic or how to arrange an appointment with the 7th District Staff Attorney IF YOU ARE REPRESENTING YOURSELF YOU MUST USE FORM 4A-302 NMRA Things to Consider When Drafting a Parenting Plan 􀁸 Your child’s needs come FIRST. 􀁸 The fewer transitions for your child the better, for example if one parent moves to another school district, changing homes as well as schools makes the transition even more stressful on the child. Find a way to have as few changes in your child’s life as possible. 􀁸 The simpler the plan is the more likely that it will work for the long run. In any case, the plan needs to be one that both parents can stick with. Constantly changing or deviating from the plan causes stress and can lead to less cooperation between you and your spouse, more disagreements, and end up creating a bad environment for your child. As your child matures there will come a time when the plan needs to change, but changes should be based on the changing needs of your child, not just because you feel that you are getting short changed. It is your child’s needs that are important. 􀁸 Situations will come up as your child grows that require both parents to be flexible. For example your child may join in new activities at school or church. If both parents cannot be flexible and cooperate it can harm the relationship you have with your child. There are too many people that are more than happy to take advantage of a child in a stressful situation. 􀁸 You need to make sure that your child’s life is as consistent and predictable as possible. Your child deserves a schedule that they can rely on. 􀁸 Remember: Your child’s needs come 1st. Your needs come 2nd. Your child’s primary need is for love from both parents and as little disruption t

FAQs

What should be prioritized when creating a parenting plan?

The child’s needs come first, based on the child’s age and any special needs. The plan should support love from both parents with as little disruption as possible.

How can parents reduce stress for the child during custody changes?

Use a simpler plan and limit transitions. Keeping the child’s life consistent and predictable helps, and changes should be driven by the child’s evolving needs rather than parental feelings.

What general guidance is given for visitation with a non-custodial parent?

Visitation should be frequent and regular early on to support bonding, in comfortable settings. Over time, visits should lengthen and include weekday and weekend time as the child approaches school age.

Sep 25, 2026

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