Making plans: A guide to parenting arrangements after separation or divorce

Section 5: Options for developing a parenting arrangement

The previous section (Section 4: What is the best parenting arrangement for my child?) gave you some information about different types of parenting arrangements. This section tells you about the different ways that you and the other parent can come to a parenting arrangement.

Parenting Plans: Putting your parenting arrangements in writing

You and the other parent can develop a parenting plan that will put your parenting arrangements in writing.

A parenting plan describes how parents not living together will care for and make important decisions about their children in both homes. You can agree to any type of parenting arrangement, but you should focus on what is in the best interests of your children.

You should consider the age of your children and how the plan may change as your children grow. Your plan should have enough detail to provide clear expectations about the plan, yet have enough flexibility to be realistic. Consider how well you are able to work with the other parent when thinking about how specific your parenting plan should be. If you think there are issues that you and the other parent may disagree on in the future, it's a good idea to address them in your plan. That way, you'll both know how to handle those situations as they come up. This can help you avoid conflict.

There is no particular format for a parenting plan. The Department of Justice Canada website has free resources to help parents come up with workable parenting arrangements that are in your children's best interests:

Before you get started

It is important to know a few things before creating a parenting plan such as:

You can find more information about making agreements and obtaining orders under provincial and territorial legislation on the provincial and territorial family law websites.

For more information on family justice services in your province or territory, please consult the Department’s website.

Options for coming up with a parenting arrangement

When you're deciding which parenting arrangement is best for your children, and deciding on other issues like child support, there are many ways to come to an agreement without going to court.

You can reach an agreement with the other parent through a family dispute resolution process such as negotiation, mediation, collaborative law, or arbitration (available in some provinces). The sections below provide information on these processes, as well as a list of things to consider before deciding on the best process for your situation.

Remember

The Divorce Act requires that you try to resolve your disputes through family dispute resolution before going to court, to the extent that it is appropriate to do so.

The approach that works best for you will depend on your situation. To help you decide which option is best, think about:

Before you decide which option is best for you, it's a good idea to get information and guidance from the family justice services available in your province or territory.

Family law issues can be complex. When you are developing parenting arrangements, it's always a good idea to speak with a legal adviser to make sure you understand:

Seeking the help of a legal adviser is particularly important in cases where there:

However you decide to make your parenting arrangements, it's important to focus on your children's best interests.

Options for reaching an agreement

There are many advantages to reaching an agreement instead of having someone else, like a judge, make decisions for you. The main advantage is that you know your children best. In addition:

Negotiation

Negotiation is a process in which parents discuss issues to try to come up with a compromise or agreement about parenting issues. Parents may negotiate themselves, or they may negotiate with the help of their legal advisers.

Personal negotiations (negotiations between parents)

Personal negotiations involve discussions between you and the other parent to try to come up with a compromise or agreement about parenting issues. This process gives complete control to you and the other parent on the decisions that are made, as there is no third party involved.

Some things to consider:

You are not required to have a written parenting plan or court order after you separate or divorce. But, if you and the other parent are able to agree on the parenting arrangements, it's a good idea to put it in writing because people can sometimes remember things differently. This will help if problems come up in the future.

If you and the other parent are able to agree on parenting arrangements and make a parenting plan, it's important for each of you to show the draft parenting plan to your own legal adviser before you sign it. This way, you can make sure you fully understand your legal rights and responsibilities. A legal adviser can also make sure haven’t forgotten to include something important.

A legal adviser can also give you advice about having your parenting plan made into an agreement or reflected in a court order. Schools, doctors, and government departments may request a formal, written agreement or court order, and typically request documents that are clear and easy to understand.

Negotiation with the help of a legal adviser

Another option is for you and the other parent to each hire a legal adviser who will negotiate for you and help you reach an agreement on other issues.

Some things to consider:

Choosing a legal adviser

Legal advisers generally try to take the emotions out of negotiations. They stick to the facts and the law, and they focus on finding solutions that work for their clients. But different legal advisers take different approaches to negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation. It's important for you to speak to a potential legal adviser about their approach before you hire them, to make sure they're a good fit for you.

Collaborative Law

Collaborative law is a process in which both parents, their legal advisers, and potentially other professionals agree to work cooperatively to come to an agreement. During the collaborative process, both parents agree not to bring any court applications. Parents have an incentive to come to an agreement because if the collaborative process does not result in an agreement, the parents' legal advisers cannot represent them in court, and both parents would have to hire new legal advisers.

Some things to consider:

If you are interested in collaborative law, you should ask potential legal advisers whether they offer this type of practice.

Mediation

Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party helps parents come to an agreement about issues related to their separation and divorce, such as their parenting arrangement.

In mediation, you and the other parent tell each other directly what you want and need for yourselves. You may also say and share what you believe is in your children's best interests. You and the other parent are responsible for making the decisions about your parenting arrangements. The mediator doesn't have the power to make an order or to force you to agree.

If you decide to mediate, it's a good idea for each of you to speak to a legal adviser before you start. If you come to an agreement, it's also important to show a draft of the agreement to your own legal adviser before making it final. This way, you can make sure you understand your legal rights and responsibilities before you sign.

Some things to consider:

Mediation isn’t for everyone. For example, if there has been family violence and there are ongoing safety concerns, it may not be possible for you and the other parent to mediate safely and effectively. Before you start the mediation process, a skilled mediator will ask you and the other parent a series of questions to determine if it's right for you.

In some cases, shuttle mediation may be appropriate. In shuttle mediation, you and the other parent don't need to be in the same room. The mediator speaks to one parent and then to the other parent separately. You and the other parent negotiate with the help of the mediator, without being face to face.

It may also be possible to mediate from different locations using technology like a telephone or videoconference. For example, you might do this if you and the other parent live in different cities or if you or the other parent travels a lot for work, for instance.

Choosing a mediator

In most parts of Canada mediators aren’t regulated, but there are organizations across the country that train mediators and have standards of practice for them. When you choose a mediator, it's important to ask them about:

Max and John

Things weren't going well. Max and John had been separated for six months, and they hadn't been able to agree on any type of parenting or child support arrangements for their children, Lily and Peter.

Every time they tried to talk, they just ended up yelling at each other. Max accused John of not caring enough about the kids. John accused Max of turning the kids against him. It looked like they were headed to court.

Then one of Max's friends recommended they try mediation. He told Max that he and his former partner had been to a mediator, and she had helped them agree on many of their issues.

Max suggested mediation to John, but he immediately rejected it. His first thought was that, if Max was suggesting it, he must have thought he'd get a good deal out of it.

But John was curious, so he looked it up online and learned that mediation had worked in many family law cases. It helped the parents learn to negotiate and communicate effectively with one another. He read that this was important because parents need to continue to work together as co-parents for many years. In the end, John agreed to try it.

Max and John had three mediation sessions. While they didn’t agree on everything, they learned to listen to one another better, and to communicate without getting too emotional or too angry. The mediator also helped them to focus on coming up with an agreement that was in Lily’s and Peter’s best interests.

Processes in which a third party makes the decisions

Arbitration

In some provinces and territories, parents can resolve parenting issues through arbitration.

Arbitration is a process in which a neutral person—an arbitrator—makes decisions on legal issues related to parenting. Under this process, both parents agree that they will allow the arbitrator to make decisions. The arbitrator acts like a judge. Arbitration is a private process, and parents are responsible for paying the arbitrator as well as their own legal advisers.

Some things to consider:

It's important that you speak to a legal adviser to decide if arbitration would be appropriate for your situation.

Going to court

Going to court usually means that you're asking a judge to decide for you. The judge will hold a hearing or a trial and then make a court order. You must do what the court order says. There are many steps in the court process. Even if you do go to court, the court will encourage you and the other parent to come to an agreement by following a family dispute resolution process, such as mediation. Also, many courts offer the opportunity to participate in a settlement conference, where a judge works with the parties to help them reach an agreement.

If none of the other family dispute resolutions processes is appropriate for you, going to court may be the only option.

But if the judge has to make a decision, you shouldn’t expect a court order right away. It can take a long time.

When judges decide on parenting arrangements, they base their decisions on the best interests of each child, based on the evidence at the hearing or trial.

Some things to consider when there is a trial:

Including your children's perspective

No matter how you decide to reach your agreement, it's important to get your children's input on their needs. This will help you focus on what's best for your children. It can also help your children:

Under the Divorce Act you have a duty to exercise your parenting time and decision-making responsibility in the best interests of the child. It is very helpful to hear from your children about their views and preferences when deciding what is best for them. How you go about seeking your children's views, and how much weight you give them, will depend on your children's age and level of maturity.

Remember

Listening to your children’s views doesn’t mean that you ask them who they want to live with.

You can ask professionals like counsellors, mediators or social workers for guidance and advice before you speak with your children about their feelings or needs.

Some children want to give input into decisions that will affect their lives, but it isn’t appropriate for children to make decisions about parenting arrangements or to take sides. Older children generally understand the difference between giving input and making a decision, but it's important to clearly explain the difference to all children before asking them to voice their opinion. They need to understand that while they can share their input, it is up to their parents or a judge to make the final decision.

It's also important for children to know how you will use their input. Otherwise, they can feel angry, betrayed, and powerless if you make a decision that isn’t what they asked for. To address this concern, you might say something like:

“We (your parents) are working on the parenting time schedule together. Is there anything that is really important to you that we should take into account? We will do our best, but if it isn’t possible for us to do what you are asking for, we will let you know.”

In some situations, even when given the opportunity, children may not want to share their opinion. That's O.K. too.

Listening to your children's views doesn't mean that you are asking them to take sides. This can make children feel like they have to choose between you and the other parent. Asking for your children’s opinions means that you are asking them about things that are important to them and could affect their schedule and well-being. For example, you could ask them if there are any activities that are important to them and which they want to continue, or if there are any special activities they like to do with each parent or other important people in their lives (other family members, friends, etc.).

It's really important that children don't feel pressured or coached to express a particular point of view. It's a good idea to let them know that they can be honest with you about their feelings and needs. You should emphasize that they don't need to think they're "taking sides" or choosing one parent over the other.

There may be times that they say things that you don't expect or agree with. The key is to listen to what they have to say and to consider it.

You should also know that sometimes your children may not want to tell you what they really think if they believe it will upset you.

Sometimes, children may tell you what they think you want to hear.

Sometimes, if they're worried about upsetting you, your children may find it easier to speak with a neutral third party. Whether they speak to you directly or with the help of someone else, your children's views can help in your discussions with the other parent.

If you are negotiating an agreement with the other parent, one—or ideally both—of you can speak with your children about:

This is more effective than asking them, for example, to choose which parent they want to live with.

No matter what family dispute resolution process you use, it is important to include your child’s views.

For example, you can obtain your children’s views through a Views (or Voice) of the Child Report or a parenting assessment.

You may also include your children's views in a mediation or collaborative law process. It's a good idea to speak with your mediator or the collaborative law team to decide if it would be possible or appropriate in your situation. For example, it may be possible for your children to share their views with the mediator, who will then share them with you and the other parent as part of the discussions. You could also provide a copy of a Views of the Child Report to the mediator.

If you ask a judge or an arbitrator to decide on the best arrangement for your children, there are other ways that they can take your children's views into account. These include:

A Views (or Voice) of the Child Report is a report that summarizes the opinions and preferences of a child about certain parenting issues, such as parenting time and living arrangements. A professional such as a social worker or legal adviser interviews your children and prepares a report on their views.

A parenting assessment is a report by a social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist who gathers information about your family. The assessment is a professional evaluation about the best interests of your children. The assessor may speak with your children to find out their views and may see how your children interact with each of you, depending on the type of assessment. With an assessment, the assessor will also speak to others (parents, teachers, other people who know the child) to prepare the report.

Choosing the best process for your situation

Ask yourself the following questions:

  1. How much conflict is there between you and the other parent? Will you be able to cooperate to resolve the issues? Will you be able to cooperate in the future?
  2. How quickly do you want to resolve the issues?
  3. How much money do you have to spend on the process? How much are you willing to spend?
  4. Do you want to control the process yourself, or are you willing to give up control to others (for example, a judge if you go to trial)?
  5. Has there been family violence or abuse? Are there issues of control or a power imbalance?
  6. How will your children's views be included in the process?

Making changes to an existing agreement or court order

Sometimes, after you have come to an agreement or gotten a court order, the situation changes, and the arrangement doesn't work for your children anymore.

There are multiple changes, major and minor, that can affect your capacity to respect and carry out the terms outlined in your agreement or court order.

For example, perhaps when you made your original arrangement:

If you have an agreement, you and the other parent can decide to make changes to that agreement. If you are having trouble agreeing to the changes, you may wish to try one of the family dispute resolution methods discussed earlier in this section.

If you and your ex-partner are unable to come to an agreement through a family dispute resolution process, you will need to go to court to ask for a judge to make the decision.

Remember

Under the Divorce Act parents have a duty to comply with their court orders. Until a judge changes your order, you and the other parent must continue to follow the existing order. Not following a court order could lead to serious legal consequences.

If you have a court order that's no longer working for you and the other parent, it's a good idea to try to reach an agreement with the other parent about the changes that should be made. You can have the changes that you agree on set out in a new court order, which would make them legally binding. This can avoid problems and confusion in possible future disputes. Because you would both consent to the court order, it’s a simpler process than if you didn’t agree.

It's important to remember that if you go to court, a judge will decide which arrangement they believe is in the best interests of the child. You will have a legal obligation to follow what the new order says.

It is recommended that you speak to a family law legal adviser if any changes need to be made to your parenting arrangement or court order.