PARENTING PLAN AND JOINT CUSTODY IMPLEMENTATION ORDER

State of Louisiana

Filed in the [____] Judicial District Court for the Parish of [________________________________]

Docket No.: [________________________________]
Division: [____]

[________________________________] ("Parent A")

v.

[________________________________] ("Parent B")

INTRODUCTION — LOUISIANA PARENTING PLAN FRAMEWORK

This Parenting Plan serves as the Joint Custody Implementation Order mandated by La. R.S. 9:335. Under Louisiana's civil law system — the only such system in the United States — the parenting plan is not merely a recommended practice but a statutory requirement whenever the court decrees joint custody. The plan must:

1. Allocate physical custody time to assure frequent and continuing contact with both parents (La. R.S. 9:335(A)(1));
2. Provide that, to the extent feasible and in the best interest of the child, physical custody shall be shared equally (La. R.S. 9:335(A)(2)(b));
3. Allocate the legal authority and responsibility of the parents (La. R.S. 9:335(A)(2)(a));
4. Designate a domiciliary parent, unless the implementation order provides otherwise or for good cause shown (La. R.S. 9:335(B)(2));
5. Include emergency/disaster evacuation provisions per La. R.S. 9:335(A)(2)(c).

This Plan is entered in connection with:
☐ Divorce under La. Civ. Code art. 102 (mutual consent after waiting period)
☐ Divorce under La. Civ. Code art. 103 (fault-based or after living separate and apart)
☐ Custody proceeding between unmarried parents (La. Civ. Code art. 131)
☐ Modification of prior judgment (see Article XIV)

ARTICLE I — IDENTIFICATION OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN

Section 1.01 — Parent Information

PARENT A:
Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
Date of Birth: [__/__/____]
Physical Address: [________________________________]
Parish of Domicile: [________________________________]
Mailing Address (if different): [________________________________]
Home Phone: [________________________________]
Cell Phone: [________________________________]
Work Phone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]
Employer: [________________________________]
Work Address: [________________________________]
Work Schedule: [________________________________]

PARENT B:
Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
Date of Birth: [__/__/____]
Physical Address: [________________________________]
Parish of Domicile: [________________________________]
Mailing Address (if different): [________________________________]
Home Phone: [________________________________]
Cell Phone: [________________________________]
Work Phone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]
Employer: [________________________________]
Work Address: [________________________________]
Work Schedule: [________________________________]

Section 1.02 — Children Subject to This Plan

Section 1.03 — Special Needs or Considerations

☐ No child has special needs requiring accommodation in this Plan.
☐ The following child(ren) have special needs:
Child Name: [________________________________]
Nature of Need: [________________________________]
Accommodations Required: [________________________________]

ARTICLE II — CUSTODY DESIGNATION

Section 2.01 — Type of Custody

Pursuant to La. Civ. Code art. 132, the parents shall share:

☐ Joint Legal and Joint Physical Custody — Both parents share decision-making authority and physical custody time.
☐ Joint Legal Custody with Primary Physical Custody to One Parent — Both parents share major decisions; the child(ren) primarily reside with the domiciliary parent.

Section 2.02 — Domiciliary Parent

Under La. R.S. 9:335(B)(2), a domiciliary parent must be designated unless the implementation order provides otherwise or for good cause shown.

☐ Parent A is designated as the domiciliary parent.
☐ Parent B is designated as the domiciliary parent.
☐ No domiciliary parent designated — this Plan provides for substantially equal physical custody, constituting good cause under La. R.S. 9:335(B)(2).

Domiciliary Parent Authority (La. R.S. 9:335(B)(3)):
The domiciliary parent has authority to make all decisions affecting the child not specifically allocated to the other parent or to both parents jointly in this Plan. The non-domiciliary parent retains the right to seek review of any such decision by filing a rule to show cause.

Section 2.03 — Primary Residence for School Enrollment

The child(ren)'s primary residence for school enrollment and official mailing purposes shall be at:
☐ Parent A's residence
☐ Parent B's residence
Address: [________________________________]
Parish: [________________________________]
School District: [________________________________]

ARTICLE III — PHYSICAL CUSTODY SCHEDULE

Section 3.01 — Regular School-Year Schedule

☐ Option A — Alternating Weeks (Equal Time)
Week 1: Parent A — Sunday 6:00 PM to following Sunday 6:00 PM
Week 2: Parent B — Sunday 6:00 PM to following Sunday 6:00 PM
Pattern continues alternating.

☐ Option B — 2-2-3 Rotating Schedule (Equal Time)
Week 1:
Monday and Tuesday: Parent A
Wednesday and Thursday: Parent B
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Parent A
Week 2:
Monday and Tuesday: Parent B
Wednesday and Thursday: Parent A
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Parent B

☐ Option C — 5-2-2-5 Schedule (Equal Time)
Parent A: Every Monday and Tuesday overnight
Parent B: Every Wednesday and Thursday overnight
Friday through Sunday: Alternating (Parent A on odd weeks, Parent B on even weeks)

☐ Option D — Domiciliary Parent Primary with Standard Visitation
Domiciliary Parent: Sunday evening through Friday after school (school days)
Non-Domiciliary Parent:
- Alternating weekends: Friday 6:00 PM to Sunday 6:00 PM
- One midweek visit: Wednesday 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM (☐ overnight to Thursday school drop-off)

☐ Option E — Domiciliary Parent Primary with Extended Visitation
Domiciliary Parent: Weekdays during school weeks
Non-Domiciliary Parent:
- Alternating weekends: Thursday after school to Monday school drop-off
- One midweek overnight: Wednesday after school to Thursday school drop-off

☐ Option F — Custom Schedule
Parent A's custodial periods: [________________________________]
Parent B's custodial periods: [________________________________]

Section 3.02 — Summer Schedule

☐ The regular schedule continues through summer.
☐ Each parent receives [____] weeks of uninterrupted summer time.
- Written notice required [____] days in advance.
- The non-vacationing parent's regular schedule is suspended during the vacation period.
- Vacation weeks shall not fall during the other parent's designated vacation period.
☐ Custom summer schedule:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Section 3.03 — Holiday Schedule

Holidays take priority over the regular schedule. The parent whose holiday period ends shall return the child(ren) to the regular schedule.

Note: Mardi Gras break is included because Louisiana public schools observe a multi-day Mardi Gras holiday, particularly in Orleans, Jefferson, East Baton Rouge, Caddo, Rapides, Calcasieu, Lafayette, and surrounding parishes.

Section 3.04 — Special Occasions

Section 3.05 — School Breaks and Teacher In-Service Days

☐ School breaks not listed above follow the regular schedule.
☐ School breaks not listed above alternate between parents, beginning with Parent A in even-numbered years.
☐ Three-day weekends created by school holidays extend the weekend parent's time through Monday.

ARTICLE IV — EXCHANGES AND TRANSPORTATION

Section 4.01 — Exchange Location

☐ At the child(ren)'s school or daycare (during school days)
☐ At a neutral public location: [________________________________]
☐ At the receiving parent's residence
☐ At the sending parent's residence
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Non-school-day exchanges: [________________________________]

Section 4.02 — Transportation Responsibility

☐ The receiving parent picks up the child(ren).
☐ The sending parent drops off the child(ren).
☐ Parents share transportation equally — receiving parent picks up.
☐ Other arrangement: [________________________________]

Section 4.03 — Exchange Protocols

(a) Exchanges shall occur promptly at the scheduled time. A parent who will be more than fifteen (15) minutes late shall notify the other parent.
(b) Neither parent shall engage in conflict, argument, or discussion of adult issues during exchanges.
(c) Neither parent shall interrogate the child(ren) about the other parent's household during or immediately after exchanges.
(d) The child(ren) shall have all necessary clothing, medications, school materials, and personal items at exchanges.
(e) Each parent shall maintain a basic supply of clothing, toiletries, and necessities at their residence to minimize items transported between homes.

Section 4.04 — Third-Party Pick-Up Authorization

If a parent cannot personally conduct an exchange, the following individuals are authorized to act on that parent's behalf:

Parent A's designees: [________________________________]
Parent B's designees: [________________________________]

ARTICLE V — DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY

Section 5.01 — Joint Major Decisions

The following major decisions require joint consultation and agreement by both parents:

Section 5.02 — Decision-Making Process

(a) The parent proposing a major decision shall notify the other parent in writing (email, text, or co-parenting application).
(b) The notified parent shall respond within [____] calendar days.
(c) Failure to respond within the specified period shall be deemed consent to the proposal.
(d) If parents disagree, they shall follow the dispute resolution process in Article XI before either party files a rule to show cause.

Section 5.03 — Emergency Decisions

The parent exercising physical custody at the time of a medical emergency may consent to emergency treatment. That parent shall:
(a) Notify the other parent as soon as practicable and no later than twenty-four (24) hours after the emergency;
(b) Provide the other parent with the name and contact information of the treating facility and physician;
(c) Provide copies of all medical records related to the emergency.

Section 5.04 — Routine Day-to-Day Decisions

Each parent shall make routine daily decisions during their custodial time, including meals, bedtime, homework supervision, discipline, daily activities, and clothing choices.

ARTICLE VI — COMMUNICATION

Section 6.01 — Parent-to-Parent Communication

(a) Primary Method: Parents shall communicate about the child(ren) through:
☐ Co-parenting application ([________________________________])
☐ Email
☐ Text messaging
☐ Other: [________________________________]

(b) Response Time: Each parent shall respond to non-emergency communications within [____] hours.

(c) Emergency Contact: In case of emergency, parents may communicate by any available means, including telephone. An emergency includes illness, injury, accident, or any situation requiring immediate attention regarding the child(ren)'s health or safety.

(d) Tone and Content: All communications shall be respectful, businesslike, and focused solely on the child(ren). Neither parent shall use the child(ren) as messengers or intermediaries.

Section 6.02 — Parent-Child Communication During Other Parent's Custodial Time

(a) Each parent shall facilitate reasonable telephone and/or video contact between the child(ren) and the other parent.
(b) Suggested schedule: [________________________________] (e.g., daily at 7:00 PM for up to 15 minutes)
(c) Neither parent shall monitor, record, or interfere with parent-child communications unless a court order permits such monitoring.
(d) The child(ren) shall have access to a telephone to initiate contact with the other parent at reasonable times.

Section 6.03 — Information Sharing

(a) Both parents shall be listed as parents/guardians and emergency contacts at all schools, daycare centers, medical providers, and extracurricular programs.
(b) Both parents shall have independent access to the child(ren)'s:
- School records, report cards, and progress reports
- Medical, dental, and vision records
- Mental health and counseling records (to the extent permitted by law)
- Extracurricular activity schedules
(c) Each parent shall promptly inform the other of significant events including:
- Illness or injury requiring medical attention
- School disciplinary matters
- Academic concerns
- Changes in the child(ren)'s emotional well-being
- Contact from law enforcement or DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services)

Section 6.04 — Non-Disparagement

(a) Neither parent shall make negative, derogatory, or disparaging remarks about the other parent, the other parent's family, or the other parent's household in the presence or hearing of the child(ren).
(b) Neither parent shall discuss court proceedings, financial disputes, or adult relationship issues with or in the presence of the child(ren).
(c) Neither parent shall encourage or allow others to disparage the other parent in the child(ren)'s presence.

ARTICLE VII — CHILD-REARING PROVISIONS

Section 7.01 — Education

(a) The child(ren) shall attend: [________________________________] in the Parish of [________________________________].
(b) Both parents shall support the child(ren)'s education by ensuring homework completion, attending parent-teacher conferences, and participating in school activities.
(c) Both parents are entitled to attend all school events and activities.
(d) Parents shall conduct themselves respectfully toward each other at school events.

Section 7.02 — Healthcare

(a) Primary Care Physician: [________________________________]
(b) Dentist: [________________________________]
(c) Other Specialists: [________________________________]
(d) ☐ Parent A / ☐ Parent B shall maintain health insurance for the child(ren).
(e) Both parents shall have authority to consult directly with healthcare providers and to receive all medical information.

Section 7.03 — Extracurricular Activities

(a) Both parents shall support the child(ren)'s participation in agreed-upon extracurricular activities.
(b) Neither parent shall enroll the child(ren) in activities that substantially interfere with the other parent's custodial time without advance consultation and agreement.
(c) Cost allocation for extracurricular activities: ☐ Equally ☐ Pro rata to income ☐ Enrolling parent pays ☐ Other: [________________________________]

Section 7.04 — Religious Upbringing

☐ The child(ren) shall be raised in the [________________________________] faith.
☐ Each parent may include the child(ren) in their own religious observances during their custodial time.
☐ Other arrangement: [________________________________]

Section 7.05 — New Romantic Partners and Household Members

(a) Neither parent shall introduce a new romantic partner to the child(ren) as a significant other until the relationship has been stable for at least [____] months.
(b) ☐ Neither parent shall allow an unrelated adult romantic partner to reside overnight in the household when the child(ren) are present until [________________________________].
(c) Each parent shall notify the other parent of any new individuals who will reside in the household.

Section 7.06 — Substance Use

Neither parent shall consume alcohol to impairment or use illegal substances during custodial time or within twelve (12) hours preceding custodial time.

Section 7.07 — Firearms Safety

All firearms in either parent's household shall be stored unloaded in a locked container with ammunition stored separately, inaccessible to the child(ren).

Section 7.08 — Consistency Between Households

Parents shall make reasonable efforts to maintain consistent rules regarding:
(a) Bedtime and sleep schedules
(b) Homework and study expectations
(c) Screen time limitations
(d) Discipline approaches
(e) Dietary restrictions (if medical)

ARTICLE VIII — RELOCATION

Section 8.01 — Applicability

This Article is governed by La. R.S. 9:355.1 through 355.17. "Relocation" means a change in the principal residence of a child for sixty (60) days or more to a location that is either:
(a) Outside of the State of Louisiana; or
(b) More than seventy-five (75) miles from the other parent's residence within the state.

Section 8.02 — Notice Requirement

The relocating parent shall provide written notice by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, no later than sixty (60) days before the proposed relocation. The notice must include:
(a) The intended new residence and mailing address;
(b) The new home telephone number;
(c) The date of the intended move;
(d) Brief statement of specific reasons for the proposed relocation;
(e) A proposal for a revised custody schedule;
(f) Whether the relocating parent will seek court authorization.

Section 8.03 — Objection and Court Proceedings

The non-relocating parent may file a written objection within thirty (30) days of receipt of notice. If objection is filed:
(a) The relocating parent shall initiate a summary proceeding within thirty (30) days to obtain court approval under La. R.S. 9:355.10.
(b) The relocating parent bears the burden of proof.
(c) The court shall consider the factors in La. R.S. 9:355.14, including the nature and quality of the child's relationships, the impact on the child, the feasibility of a modified schedule, and the good faith of both parties.

Section 8.04 — Local Moves

Moves within seventy-five (75) miles of the other parent's residence within Louisiana do not constitute a "relocation" under La. R.S. 9:355.1, but the moving parent shall provide the other parent with written notice of the new address at least thirty (30) days in advance.

ARTICLE IX — EMERGENCY AND DISASTER PROVISIONS

Pursuant to La. R.S. 9:335(A)(2)(c), this Plan includes the following mandatory provisions for emergencies and disasters:

Section 9.01 — Hurricane and Disaster Evacuation

When either parent is required to evacuate the state with the child(ren) because of an emergency or disaster declared under La. R.S. 29:721 et seq. (Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act) or by federal authority:

(a) The parents shall engage in continuous communication regarding the safe evacuation of the child(ren);
(b) The evacuating parent shall immediately notify the other parent of the evacuation route, destination, and estimated arrival time;
(c) The parents shall communicate regarding the location of the child(ren) during and after the emergency or disaster;
(d) The parents shall develop an interim custody plan until the regular custody provisions can resume;
(e) The parent with physical custody at the time of the evacuation order shall maintain custody during the evacuation unless otherwise agreed.

Section 9.02 — Emergency Contact Information

Each parent shall maintain current emergency contact information for:
(a) The other parent (multiple phone numbers)
(b) Both parents' extended family members
(c) The child(ren)'s healthcare providers
(d) The child(ren)'s school
(e) An out-of-area emergency contact person: [________________________________]

ARTICLE X — FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

Section 10.01 — Child Support

Child support is governed separately by La. R.S. 9:315 through 9:315.47 (Louisiana Child Support Guidelines) and is ☐ addressed in a separate order ☐ incorporated into the custody judgment.

Section 10.02 — Health Insurance

☐ Parent A / ☐ Parent B shall maintain health, dental, and vision insurance for the child(ren) through their employer or other source.

Section 10.03 — Unreimbursed Medical Expenses

Unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, mental health, orthodontic, and prescription expenses shall be divided:
☐ Equally (50/50)
☐ Pro rata based on income
☐ Other: [________________________________]

The parent incurring the expense shall provide documentation to the other parent within thirty (30) days. The other parent shall reimburse their share within thirty (30) days of receipt.

Section 10.04 — Extracurricular Activity Expenses

Mutually agreed-upon extracurricular activity expenses shall be divided:
☐ Equally (50/50)
☐ Pro rata based on income
☐ Enrolling parent pays
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Section 10.05 — Tax Dependency Exemption

The right to claim the child(ren) as dependents for federal and state income tax purposes shall be:
☐ Alternated annually (Parent A claims in even years; Parent B in odd years)
☐ Split among children: [________________________________]
☐ Allocated to: [________________________________]
☐ Other: [________________________________]

ARTICLE XI — DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Section 11.01 — Good-Faith Communication

Parents shall first attempt to resolve disputes through direct, respectful communication.

Section 11.02 — Mediation

If direct communication is unsuccessful, parents shall participate in mediation with a qualified Louisiana family law mediator before filing any rule to show cause or motion with the court, unless:
(a) Domestic violence is alleged under La. R.S. 9:364;
(b) A protective order is in effect;
(c) An emergency requires immediate court action.

Cost of mediation: ☐ Shared equally ☐ Pro rata to income ☐ Other: [________________________________]

Section 11.03 — Hearing Officer Conference

If the parish in which this matter is filed maintains a Hearing Officer program (including Orleans, Jefferson, East Baton Rouge, Caddo, and certain other parishes), the parties may be referred to a Hearing Officer Conference. The Hearing Officer may take testimony, review documents, and make recommendations to the presiding judge. If the parties agree at the conference, the Hearing Officer will prepare a stipulation and consent judgment. If the parties disagree, the Hearing Officer will issue a Conference Report with recommendations.

Section 11.04 — Judicial Resolution

Any unresolved dispute shall be submitted to the [____] Judicial District Court for the Parish of [________________________________], which retains continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.

ARTICLE XII — DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROVISIONS

Section 12.01 — Disclosure and Certification

☐ Neither parent has a history of perpetrating family violence as defined in La. R.S. 9:362(4).
☐ A history of family violence exists as described: [________________________________]

Section 12.02 — Rebuttable Presumption (La. R.S. 9:364)

If a parent has a history of perpetrating family violence, there is a rebuttable presumption that such parent shall not be awarded sole or joint custody. The presumption may be overcome only if:
(a) The perpetrating parent has successfully completed a court-monitored Domestic Abuse Intervention Program as defined in La. R.S. 9:362; and
(b) The court finds that awarding custody is in the child's best interest.

Section 12.03 — Supervised Visitation (La. R.S. 9:341)

If supervised visitation is required:
Supervised parent: ☐ Parent A ☐ Parent B
Supervisor: [________________________________]
Location: [________________________________]
Frequency: [________________________________]
Duration: [________________________________]
Conditions for modification of supervision: [________________________________]

ARTICLE XIII — RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL

Section 13.01 — Threshold

If either parent will be away from the child(ren) for more than [____] consecutive hours during their custodial time, that parent shall first offer the other parent the right to exercise custodial time.

Section 13.02 — Notification

The requesting parent shall notify the other parent as far in advance as possible. The other parent shall respond within [____] hours. Failure to respond is deemed a declination.

Section 13.03 — Exceptions

The right of first refusal does not apply when the child(ren) are in the care of:
☐ A grandparent
☐ A school or daycare
☐ An authorized designee listed in Section 4.04
☐ Other: [________________________________]

ARTICLE XIV — MODIFICATION AND REVIEW

Section 14.01 — Periodic Review

Parents agree to review this Plan:
☐ Annually
☐ Upon the child(ren) reaching age [____]
☐ Upon any significant change in circumstances
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Section 14.02 — Modification Standards

If this Plan is incorporated into a consent judgment, modification requires proof of a material change in circumstances and that the modification serves the child's best interest (Evans v. Lungrin, 708 So.2d 731 (La. 1998)).

If the court renders a considered decree, the heavier Bergeron standard applies: the party seeking modification must prove that the current arrangement is so deleterious to the child as to justify modification, or that the advantages of the change clearly outweigh the harm of disrupting the current arrangement (Bergeron v. Bergeron, 492 So.2d 1193 (La. 1986)).

ARTICLE XV — GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 15.01 — Governing Law

This Plan is governed by the Louisiana Civil Code, the Louisiana Children's Code, and Title 9 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.

Section 15.02 — UCCJEA Jurisdiction

Continuing, exclusive jurisdiction is established under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act as adopted in Louisiana (La. R.S. 13:1801 et seq.).

Section 15.03 — Severability

If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Section 15.04 — Integration

This Plan, together with any court order incorporating it, constitutes the entire understanding of the parents regarding parenting arrangements for the child(ren).

Section 15.05 — Attorney's Fees

The court may award attorney's fees to either party in enforcement or modification proceedings in accordance with Louisiana law.

EXECUTION — AUTHENTIC ACT

Pursuant to La. Civ. Code art. 1833, this Parenting Plan is executed as an authentic act before a Notary Public and in the presence of two competent witnesses.

PARENT A:

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

PARENT B:

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

WITNESS 1:

Signature: _________________________________
Printed Name: [________________________________]

WITNESS 2:

Signature: _________________________________
Printed Name: [________________________________]

NOTARY PUBLIC:

Signature: _________________________________
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Commission No.: [________________________________]
Parish of Commission: [________________________________]
My commission expires: [__/__/____]

[NOTARIAL SEAL]

ORDER OF COURT

The foregoing Parenting Plan and Joint Custody Implementation Order having been presented to this Court, and the Court finding that it is in the best interest of the minor child(ren) under La. Civ. Code art. 134, compliant with La. R.S. 9:335, and consistent with Louisiana law:

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that the foregoing Parenting Plan and Joint Custody Implementation Order is approved and made the judgment of this Court.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that [________________________________] is designated as the domiciliary parent pursuant to La. R.S. 9:335(B)(2). (Strike if no domiciliary parent is designated.)

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that both parents shall comply with all provisions of this Plan and that violations may be enforced through contempt proceedings.

THUS DONE AND SIGNED in [________________________________], Louisiana, on this [____] day of [________________________________], [________].

_________________________________
JUDGE, [____] JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
PARISH OF [________________________________]

Sources and References

• La. Civ. Code art. 131 — Court to Determine Custody
• La. Civ. Code art. 132 — Award of Custody to Parents
• La. Civ. Code art. 134 — Best Interest Factors
• La. R.S. 9:335 — Joint Custody Decree and Implementation Order
• La. R.S. 9:355.1–355.17 — Relocation of Child
• La. R.S. 9:364 — Domestic Violence and Custody
• La. R.S. 9:315–315.47 — Child Support Guidelines
• Louisiana Supreme Court Title IV Rules for Family Law Proceedings
• Louisiana Supreme Court Appendix 29.2A — Joint Custody Plan with Domiciliary Parent
• La. Civ. Code art. 1833 — Authentic Act
• Bergeron v. Bergeron, 492 So.2d 1193 (La. 1986)