Iowa Parenting Plan

PARENTING PLAN

State of Iowa — District Court

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR [________________________________] COUNTY

Judicial District: [____] of 8

In re the Marriage of (or Custody of):

[________________________________], Petitioner,

and

[________________________________], Respondent.

Case No.: [________________________________]

IMPORTANT NOTICE — IOWA TERMINOLOGY

Iowa law distinguishes between "legal custody" and "physical care" (Iowa Code § 598.1). Iowa does not use the term "physical custody." This Parenting Plan uses Iowa's statutory terminology:

• Legal Custody — The right to participate in fundamental decisions about the child's welfare (medical care, education, extracurricular activities, religious instruction, legal status). Iowa Code § 598.41(5)(b).
• Physical Care — The right and responsibility to maintain a home for the child and provide routine daily care.
• Shared Physical Care — The child resides with each parent on a substantially equal basis.
• Primary Physical Care — The child resides primarily with one parent.

I. PARTIES AND CHILDREN

A. Parents

Parent A: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
City/State/ZIP: [________________________________]
County: [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

Parent B: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
City/State/ZIP: [________________________________]
County: [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

Distance between parents' residences: Approximately [____] miles

B. Children

School District: [________________________________]

C. Special Needs or Considerations

☐ No special needs or considerations
☐ The following special needs or considerations apply:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

II. PARENTING EDUCATION COMPLIANCE

Iowa Code § 598.15 generally requires the parties to an action involving child custody or visitation to complete a court-approved parenting education course within 45 days after service of the notice and petition, or within 45 days after service of a notice and application to modify an order. A final decree or final order ordinarily cannot be entered until the parties comply. The court may waive or delay participation for good cause, and the course is not required in a proceeding involving termination of a party's parental rights. Each judicial district certifies its approved courses; confirm current district approval before enrolling.

☐ Parent A completed the course on [__/__/____]. Program: [________________________________]. Certificate attached: ☐ Yes ☐ To be filed
☐ Parent B completed the course on [__/__/____]. Program: [________________________________]. Certificate attached: ☐ Yes ☐ To be filed

III. LEGAL CUSTODY

A. Type of Legal Custody

☐ Joint Legal Custody — Both parents share equal participation in major decisions affecting the children (Iowa Code § 598.41(5)(b)). Under Iowa Code § 598.41(1)(a), the court shall consider the best interest of the child and shall order a custody arrangement that provides maximum continuing physical and emotional contact with both parents.

☐ Sole Legal Custody to Parent A / Parent B — [________________________________] shall have sole authority over major decisions. The noncustodial parent ☐ shall ☐ may be consulted but has no decision-making authority.

B. Domestic Abuse Screening — Iowa Code § 598.41(1)(b)

If a history of domestic abuse exists as defined in Iowa Code Chapter 236, a rebuttable presumption against joint custody applies. The court shall consider whether domestic abuse has occurred by reviewing:

• Actions filed under Iowa Code § 236.3
• Protective orders issued under Iowa Code § 236.5
• Emergency orders under Iowa Code § 236.6
• Contempt findings under Iowa Code § 664A.7 (violation of a no-contact or protective order)
• Convictions for domestic abuse assault under Iowa Code § 708.2A

☐ No history of domestic abuse exists between the parties
☐ A history of domestic abuse exists. Attached documentation: [________________________________]
☐ The presumption against joint custody has been rebutted because: [________________________________]

C. Joint Legal Custody Decision-Making Areas

If joint legal custody is awarded, both parents share equal participation in:

1. Education

• School enrollment, transfers, and changes (public, private, charter, home school)
• Special education services, IEPs, and Section 504 plans
• Gifted programs, grade acceleration, or retention
• Tutoring and educational evaluations
• College planning and applications (older children)

2. Medical Care

• Selection of primary care physician, dentist, and specialists
• Non-emergency medical and surgical procedures
• Ongoing prescription medications
• Mental health counseling, therapy, and psychiatric services
• Elective procedures (orthodontics, vision correction, etc.)

3. Religious Instruction

☐ The children shall be raised in the [________________________________] faith/tradition
☐ Each parent may expose the children to their own religious practices during their physical care time
☐ Major religious ceremonies or milestones require mutual agreement
☐ Other: [________________________________]

4. Extracurricular Activities

• Enrollment in new activities, especially those requiring significant time or cost
• Level of commitment (recreational vs. competitive)
• Both parents shall cooperate in transporting children to activities regardless of whose physical care time it falls within

5. Legal Status

• Passport applications and international travel authorization
• Name changes
• Legal proceedings involving the children

D. Decision-Making Process

1. The proposing parent shall provide written notice (email, text, or co-parenting application) to the other parent.
2. The other parent shall respond within seven (7) calendar days.
3. If no agreement is reached within fourteen (14) days, the parents shall submit the matter to mediation (see Section X).
4. Emergency decisions: The parent with the children at the time of a medical or safety emergency may act without prior consultation but shall notify the other parent within 24 hours.

IV. PHYSICAL CARE ARRANGEMENT

A. Type of Physical Care

☐ Shared Physical Care — Children reside with each parent approximately equally. The court applies the In re Marriage of Hansen, 733 N.W.2d 683 (Iowa 2007) four-factor test (see Section IV.B).

☐ Primary Physical Care to [________________________________] — Children reside primarily with one parent; the other parent has parenting time as scheduled below.

B. In re Marriage of Hansen Factors (For Shared Physical Care)

Iowa courts evaluate four factors to determine whether shared physical care is appropriate:

1. Approximation (Historical Caregiving): The historical pattern of caregiving between the parents:
   [________________________________]
   [________________________________]

2. Communication and Mutual Respect: The parents' demonstrated ability to communicate and show mutual respect:
   [________________________________]

3. Degree of Conflict: The level of conflict between the parents:
   [________________________________]

4. Agreement on Daily Matters: The degree to which the parents agree on daily caregiving approaches (discipline, bedtime, homework, diet):
   [________________________________]

C. Children's Preference — Iowa Code § 598.41(3)(f)

☐ The children are too young for their preferences to be a meaningful factor
☐ The children's preferences have been considered, giving due consideration to their ages and maturity:
[________________________________]

V. PARENTING TIME SCHEDULE

A. Regular School-Year Schedule

Select one option or describe a custom arrangement:

☐ Option 1: Alternating Weeks

• Parent A: Sunday at [____] PM through the following Sunday at [____] PM
• Parent B: The alternating week on the same schedule
• Optional midweek contact for the off-duty parent: [________________________________]

☐ Option 2: 2-2-3 Rotation

• Week 1: Monday–Tuesday Parent A; Wednesday–Thursday Parent B; Friday–Sunday Parent A
• Week 2: Monday–Tuesday Parent B; Wednesday–Thursday Parent A; Friday–Sunday Parent B

☐ Option 3: Every-Other-Weekend Plus Midweek (for primary physical care)

• Primary care parent: Weekdays and alternate weekends
• Other parent: Alternating weekends (Friday at [____] to Sunday at [____]) plus one midweek overnight ([________________________________] after school to the following morning)

☐ Option 4: Custom Schedule
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

B. Summer Schedule

☐ Same as school-year schedule
☐ Modified summer schedule:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Each parent shall have [____] weeks of uninterrupted vacation time with the children during summer, subject to:

• Written notice by May 1 of each year
• First selection: Parent A in even years; Parent B in odd years
• Vacation time supersedes the regular schedule
• Non-vacationing parent shall have telephone/video contact every other day

C. Holiday and Special Occasion Schedule

Holidays supersede the regular schedule. Parents alternate as follows:

Additional religious or cultural holidays:
[________________________________]

D. School Breaks and Teacher In-Service Days

☐ Follow the regular parenting time schedule
☐ The parent not scheduled for physical care shall have the children for teacher in-service days and early dismissal days, subject to that parent's availability
☐ Other: [________________________________]

VI. TRANSITIONS AND EXCHANGES

A. Exchange Location

☐ Children's school (when school is in session)
☐ Parent A's residence
☐ Parent B's residence
☐ Neutral public location: [________________________________]
☐ Other: [________________________________]

B. Transportation

☐ The receiving parent shall pick up the children
☐ The delivering parent shall transport the children
☐ Parents share transportation equally
☐ Other: [________________________________]

C. Punctuality and Conduct

1. Both parents shall be punctual. If a parent will be more than 15 minutes late, that parent shall notify the other immediately.
2. If a parent does not appear and cannot be reached within 30 minutes of the scheduled exchange time, the waiting parent may consider the parenting time forfeited for that occasion.
3. Exchanges shall be brief, courteous, and child-focused. Extended conversations or arguments are not appropriate at exchange time.
4. Neither parent shall send a new romantic partner to conduct exchanges without the other parent's prior agreement.

D. Children's Belongings

1. Sufficient clothing, medications (with written instructions), school materials, and comfort items shall travel with the children.
2. Each parent shall maintain a set of basic clothing, toiletries, and supplies in their home.
3. Neither parent shall withhold the children's personal belongings.
4. Special equipment (sports gear, musical instruments, medical devices) shall travel with the children as needed.

VII. COMMUNICATION

A. Parent-to-Parent Communication

1. Method: ☐ Email ☐ Text message ☐ Co-parenting application (e.g., OurFamilyWizard, TalkingParents) ☐ Other: [________________________________]
2. Response time: Within 24 hours for non-emergency matters
3. Tone: Respectful, business-like, and child-focused
4. Prohibited: Communications shall not include inflammatory language, insults, threats, or discussion of adult relationship issues

B. Parent-Child Communication

1. The parent not exercising physical care may have telephone or video contact with the children ☐ daily ☐ every other day at approximately [________________________________].
2. The parent with the children shall ensure the children are available and shall provide privacy.
3. Neither parent shall monitor, record, or interfere with these conversations.
4. Calls shall be reasonably brief and at appropriate times.
5. Children with their own devices may contact either parent at will. Neither parent shall restrict or punish such contact.

C. Access to Records and Information

Under Iowa Code §§ 598.41(1)(e) and 598.41(5)(b), both legal custodians have equal access to:

• School records, online portals, report cards, progress reports, and teacher communications
• Medical, dental, and mental health records
• Extracurricular activity schedules

Each parent shall list the other as an authorized contact and emergency contact at all schools, medical providers, daycare/after-school programs, and activity organizations.

D. Notification Requirements

Each parent shall notify the other within 24 hours of:

• Serious illness, injury, or hospitalization of a child
• Emergency room visits
• School disciplinary actions or behavioral concerns
• Involvement of law enforcement or the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (child protective services)
• Changes in the parent's address, telephone, or employment
• Introduction of a new romantic partner to the children (☐ 30 days advance notice ☐ at or promptly after introduction)

VIII. CHILD-REARING PROVISIONS

A. Consistency Between Homes

While recognizing each household may differ, parents shall make reasonable efforts to maintain consistency in:

• Bedtimes and sleep schedules
• Homework expectations and supervision
• Screen time and device rules
• Basic behavioral expectations and discipline approaches

B. Discipline

1. Each parent has authority to set reasonable rules in their home.
2. Discipline shall be age-appropriate and may include time-outs, loss of privileges, natural consequences, and verbal correction.
3. Prohibited: Physical discipline that is harmful, emotional abuse, degradation, and withholding of necessities (food, shelter, clothing, medical care).
4. Neither parent shall undermine the other parent's reasonable discipline.

C. New Romantic Partners

☐ Neither parent shall introduce a romantic partner to the children until the relationship has been exclusive for at least [____] months
☐ A parent may introduce a new partner at their discretion, with [____] days' advance notice to the other parent including the partner's full name
☐ Overnight stays by a romantic partner while the children are present: ☐ Not permitted until [________________________________] ☐ Permitted ☐ Other: [________________________________]

D. Substance Use

1. Neither parent shall consume alcohol to impairment or use any illegal substance during physical care time or within 12 hours before physical care begins.
2. Neither parent shall expose the children to illegal drug use.
3. Neither parent shall smoke tobacco or use e-cigarettes/vaping devices in the children's presence or in enclosed spaces where the children will be.

E. Firearms Safety

All firearms in either parent's home shall be stored unloaded in a locked safe or cabinet, with ammunition stored separately in a locked container, all inaccessible to the children, in compliance with Iowa law.

F. Childcare and Right of First Refusal

☐ Right of first refusal applies: If either parent needs childcare for more than [____] consecutive hours during their physical care time, the other parent shall be offered the opportunity first. Response required within 2 hours or the offer is deemed declined.
☐ No right of first refusal. Each parent may arrange childcare as needed.

Regular childcare providers: Each parent shall provide the other with names and contact information for regular babysitters, daycare providers, and after-school caregivers.

G. Parental Alienation Prohibited

Neither parent shall:

• Make negative remarks about the other parent in the children's presence
• Allow others to disparage the other parent in the children's presence
• Interrogate the children about the other parent's household, finances, or relationships
• Encourage the children to reject or disrespect the other parent
• Share age-inappropriate information about the dissolution proceedings
• Use the children as messengers, spies, or mediators

H. Technology and Social Media

1. Parents shall strive for consistent screen time rules between households.
2. Social media accounts for children: ☐ Not permitted until age [____] ☐ Permitted with parental oversight
3. Both parents shall have access to children's usernames and passwords.
4. Communication devices used for parent-child contact shall not be confiscated as punishment except briefly for serious misconduct.

IX. RELOCATION

A. Iowa Code § 598.21D — 150-Mile Rule

If either parent awarded joint legal custody and physical care (or sole legal custody) relocates the children's residence 150 miles or more from the children's residence at the time custody was awarded, Iowa Code § 598.21D permits the court to treat the relocation as a substantial change in circumstances. If the court so finds, it shall modify the custody order to, at a minimum, preserve, as nearly as possible, the existing relationship between the children and the nonrelocating parent, and the modified order may include extended summer/school-break visitation, scheduled telephone contact, and a reallocation of transportation responsibility. If the court finds the relocating parent has a history of interfering with the other parent's access to the children, the court may require a cash bond to secure future compliance.

B. Notice Contents (By Agreement of the Parties)

To promote stability and advance planning, the parties agree that the relocating parent shall provide the other parent written notice at least [____] days (recommended: not less than 60 days) before a proposed relocation of the children's residence of 150 miles or more, containing:

1. New address and telephone number
2. Date of the proposed move
3. Reason for the relocation
4. Proposed revised parenting time schedule
5. Children's proposed new school or daycare

C. If the Other Parent Objects

1. The nonrelocating parent may notify the relocating parent of any objection within [____] days (recommended: 30 days) of receiving notice, and the parties agree to attempt mediation before either party files a motion with the court.
2. Either parent may at any time petition the Iowa District Court to resolve a relocation dispute. If the court finds the relocation is a substantial change in circumstances under Iowa Code § 598.21D, it shall modify the custody order to preserve, as nearly as possible, the existing parent-child relationship with the nonrelocating parent.
3. Absent a contrary court order, the parties agree the existing parenting time schedule shall remain in effect and the relocation shall not proceed until the objection is resolved by agreement or court order.

D. Moves Within 150 Miles

For moves of less than 150 miles that nonetheless affect the parenting time schedule or transportation logistics, the parties agree the relocating parent shall provide [____] days' written notice (recommended: 30 days) and the parties shall cooperate in good faith to adjust the parenting time schedule as needed.

E. Victim of Domestic Abuse Exception

Under Iowa Code § 598.41(1)(d), if a parent who is a victim of domestic abuse relocates or is absent from the home based upon fear of or actual acts or threats of domestic abuse, the court shall not consider such relocation or absence as a factor against that parent in custody or physical care proceedings.

X. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

A. Step 1: Direct Communication

Parents shall first attempt to resolve disagreements through direct, respectful discussion, keeping the children's best interests paramount.

B. Step 2: Mediation

If direct communication fails, the parents may agree to mediation or participate if the Court orders it. Iowa Code § 598.41(8) permits court-ordered mediation on modification applications, subject to its domestic-abuse and harm exceptions. Either parent may seek court relief without waiting for mediation when safety or urgency requires it.

Mediation costs: ☐ Shared equally ☐ Proportional to income ☐ Other: [________________________________]

C. Step 3: Court

If mediation is unsuccessful, either parent may file a motion with the Iowa District Court for [________________________________] County. The court retains continuing jurisdiction over all custody and physical care matters.

D. Emergency Relief

Nothing in this section prevents either parent from seeking emergency relief from the court when the children's health, safety, or welfare is at immediate risk.

XI. FINANCIAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO PARENTING

A. Health Insurance

☐ Parent A ☐ Parent B shall maintain health, dental, and vision insurance for the children.

B. Unreimbursed Medical Expenses

After insurance, unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, mental health, and prescription costs shall be allocated:
☐ Equally (50/50)
☐ Proportional to income: Parent A [____]% / Parent B [____]%
☐ Other: [________________________________]

C. Extracurricular Activity Costs

Costs for mutually agreed-upon extracurricular activities shall be allocated:
☐ Equally (50/50)
☐ Proportional to income: Parent A [____]% / Parent B [____]%
☐ Borne by the enrolling parent
☐ Other: [________________________________]

D. Transportation Costs (Long Distance)

If parents reside in different communities, transportation costs for parenting time exchanges shall be:
☐ Shared equally
☐ Borne by the receiving parent
☐ Borne by the nonrelocating parent
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Note: Child support is addressed separately in the Iowa Child Support Guidelines and is not governed by this Parenting Plan.

XII. MODIFICATION AND REVIEW

A. Annual Review

The parents agree to review this Parenting Plan at least once annually (suggested date: [________________________________]) and discuss adjustments necessary for the children's evolving needs.

B. Modification Standard

Under Iowa law, modification of custody or physical care requires a showing that a substantial change in circumstances has occurred that was not contemplated at the time of the decree and that the change is more or less permanent and relates to the children's welfare. In re Marriage of Harris, 877 N.W.2d 434 (Iowa 2016). Formal modification requires either a written stipulation filed with the Court or a court order.

XIII. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Governing Law: This Parenting Plan is governed by Iowa Code Chapter 598 and applicable Iowa case law.
2. Court Jurisdiction: The Iowa District Court for [________________________________] County, Judicial District [____], retains continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.
3. Severability: If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force.
4. Integration: This Plan, together with the Decree of Dissolution or Custody Order, constitutes the entire understanding regarding custody, physical care, and parenting time.
5. Counterparts: This Plan may be executed in counterparts, including electronically.

XIV. EXECUTION

The undersigned parents execute this Parenting Plan voluntarily and in the best interests of the children.

Parent A:

Signature: [________________________________]
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

Parent B:

Signature: [________________________________]
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

ATTORNEY ENDORSEMENT (If Represented)

Attorney for Parent A:

Signature: [________________________________]
Name: [________________________________]
Iowa Supreme Court Attorney No.: [________________________________]
Firm/Address: [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]

Attorney for Parent B:

Signature: [________________________________]
Name: [________________________________]
Iowa Supreme Court Attorney No.: [________________________________]
Firm/Address: [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]

ORDER OF COURT

The Court, having reviewed the foregoing Parenting Plan and finding that: (1) the Plan serves the best interests of the children under Iowa Code § 598.41(3); (2) the parties entered into the Plan voluntarily; (3) both parties have completed the parenting education requirement under Iowa Code § 598.15; and (4) the Plan is not unconscionable;

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Parenting Plan is approved and incorporated into the Decree of Dissolution of Marriage (or Custody Order).

Date: [__/__/____]

[________________________________]
District Court Judge
[________________________________] County, Iowa
Judicial District [____]

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Iowa Code Chapter 598 — Dissolution of Marriage and Domestic Relations: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/iowaCode/sections?codeChapter=598
• Iowa Code § 598.41 — Custody of children (best interest factors): https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/598.41.pdf
• Iowa Code § 598.1 — Definitions: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/598.1.pdf
• Iowa Code § 598.15 — Parenting education requirement: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/598.15.pdf
• Iowa Code § 598.21D — Relocation as substantial change in circumstances (150-mile rule; no fixed statutory notice period): https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/598.21D.pdf
• Iowa Code Chapter 236 — Domestic Abuse Act: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/236.pdf
• Iowa Code § 664A.7 — Violation of no-contact/protective order (contempt; successor to repealed § 236.8): https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/664A.7.pdf
• In re Marriage of Hansen, 733 N.W.2d 683 (Iowa 2007) — Four-factor shared physical care test
• In re Marriage of Harris, 877 N.W.2d 434 (Iowa 2016) — Custody modification standard
• In re Marriage of Frederici, 338 N.W.2d 156 (Iowa 1983) — Underlying substantial-change/relocation modification standard
• Iowa Judicial Branch — Child Custody: https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/representing-yourself/child-custody
• Iowa Judicial Branch — District Court (8 judicial districts): https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court
• Iowa People's Law Library — Custody Factors: https://www.peopleslawiowa.org/index.php/research-topics/family-law/custody-and-visitation/factors-courts-consider-determining-joint-custody