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1.  Create the best schedule
     for you and your kids.
2.  Document your actual
     parenting time.
3.  Include important clauses
     in your parenting plan.
4.  End misunderstandings
     with a visual calendar.
5.  Calculate time and
     overnight percentages.
6.  Prepare for negotiation,
     mediation and court.
7.  Save money on legal
     fees and court costs.
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"Gave me a Clear Picture"

"Without Custody X Change, I would have signed the proposed agreement and found out about the problems and conflicts only after it was too late.

"Custody X Change took the raw data I had stared at for days, and in a few minutes, gave me a crystal clear picture of the resulting schedule.

"Custody X Change is a must-have resource for parents and attorneys working with visitation issues."

-Doug Conway, Fargo, ND
"My Plan Passed with Flying Colors"

"I can't thank you enough for the software.

"The Parenting Plan passed with flying colors in the courts and with my ex.

"Now the best part is that I am using the deluxe version to adjust and record my times.

"This is one software I will use for a long time.

"Thanks again."

-Gabriella Selmi, Granbury, TX
"Very Useful During Renegotiations"

"I used Custody X Change during our negotiations for Summer and Holiday visitation.

"The software was very easy to use and provided useful calculations from the agreed schedule.

"That spared us from having to do the tedious task of counting days on a calendar.

"I would recommend this product to any parent who has to establish a custody schedule with another parent."

-Chimena Thompson, San Diego, CA
"Helps See Child Support Consequences of Options"

"I got the Custody X Change software so I could give my clients a printed Calendar.

"Also, in New Mexico, there can be a significant change in child support from 'Schedule A,' where one parent has responsibility for less than 35 percent of the time, and 'Schedule B,' where each party has responsibility for more than 35 percent of the time.

"On borderline cases, it is important to know the possible child support consequences of various options."

-Don Harris, Albuquerque, NM, www.donharrislaw.com

Louisiana Parenting Plans and Custody Agreements

How do I make my Louisiana parenting plan / child custody agreement?

You can write up your own parenting plan (on your own or with the other parent) or you can work with an attorney or legal professional and have them create it. If you don't want to pay the high cost of an attorney, and want to easily make your own agreement, you can use the Custody X Change software.

Custody X Change is software that creates parenting plans. You make each part of your agreement, and then you can print professional documents of your plan. Download a free 30-day trial and see how it can help you.

You can use Custody X Change to:

  • Negotiate an agreement with the other parent
  • Work with your attorney to come up with a parenting plan you like
  • Prepare sample agreements for mediation
  • Make a plan to present in court
In Louisiana, what laws should I be aware of when making my agreement?

The State of Louisiana has specific laws pertaining to child custody and visitation that should be reviewed prior to creating a parenting plan. These laws can be found in the Louisiana Revised Statutes, Title 9 - Civil Ancillaries, and also in the Louisiana Civil Code.

The Revised Statutes clearly explains the various types of custody, provides definitions for the terminology of the courts and the law, and provides the means for the courts to require the parents to attend parenting seminars and mediation.

The Civil Code contains information about how the court awards custody and the factors the court considers when awarding custody.

Using the Revised Statutes and the Louisiana Civil Code as guides when writing a parenting plan will help to ensure your parenting plan is in compliance with the law and prepare you for what to expect in court.

What should I include in my Louisiana parenting plan / custody agreement?

There are some key components that a thorough and comprehensive parenting plan should have:

  • A statement which clearly defines the type of custody, both legal and physical, that the parents shall have.
  • A parenting time schedule that dictates when the child will be in the physical custody of each parent. This should include a schedule for holidays and other special days, as well as provisions for vacation time.
  • A delegation of the rights and responsibilities of each parent. The State of Louisiana mandates that parents sharing joint custody shall communicate with each other regarding decision making and share information pertaining to the health, education and welfare of the child (RS 9:336). However, provisions may also be included to delegate decision making authority to either or both parents regarding certain subjects, such as the child's religious upbringing and extracurricular activities.
  • Any and all provisions the parents would like to include. Anything related to the care and upbringing of the child, from the details of the transportation of the child during the exchange of the child, to a first right of refusal clause that offers the other parent additional time with the child in the event a parent needs a baby-sitter, may be included.
  • A method for dispute resolution in case of any future disagreements regarding the parenting plan.

You can never include too much detail in your parenting plan and should pay special attention to the parenting time schedule to make sure it meets the needs of your child.

The parenting plan will serve as a guide to raising your child until he or she reaches adulthood. Once accepted by the court, it will become a binding legal document, so it is important to create your parenting plan with careful thought, foresight, and organization.

What do the courts use to determine custody in the State of Louisiana?

The best interest of the child is the main concern of the State of Louisiana when determining child custody.

The State considers all relevant factors, including, but not limited to the following, found in Article 134 of the Louisiana Civil Code:

  • The loving, affectionate bonds and emotional ties between the child and each parent.
  • The ability and inclination of each parent to raise and nurture the child with love and affection and to provide the child with spiritual guidance and an education.
  • The ability and likeliness of each parent to provide the child with basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter.
  • The length of time the child has been living in a safe and acceptable environment, and whether or not continuing or disrupting that environment would have a positive impact on the child's life.
  • The extent of permanence that the child's current or proposed home has.
  • The mental and physical health and the moral fitness of each parent.
  • The child's acclimation to his or her home, school, and community.
  • The wishes of the child as to a custodial preference, if the child is of sufficient age to make such a decision.
  • The ability and willingness of each parent to foster a close and continuous loving relationship between the child and the other parent.
  • The residential proximity of the parents.
  • The parents' previous history of caring for and raising the child.
In Louisiana, what role does a parenting plan play in awarding custody?

Article 132 of the Louisiana Civil Code clearly states the methods the court uses to award custody.

If you both are in agreement as to who will have custody of the child and you submit your agreement to the court, the court will approve it as long as the court finds the agreement serves the best interests of your child.

Should the court find that your parenting plan does not serve the best interests of your child, or if you are unable to reach an agreement, the court will award joint custody in a manner deemed appropriate.

However, if clear and convincing evidence is presented that demonstrates that it would be better for the child to have one of you designated as a sole custodian, the court will rule accordingly.

What if we are unable to agree on our Louisiana custody arrangements?

Should you fail to reach an agreement with the other parent, the court may order you to attend mediation in an attempt to resolve your differences (RS 9:332).

If an agreement can be reached in mediation, the mediator will prepare the parenting plan and present it to the court for approval. Otherwise, the judge will decide how you will share the child and delegate your parental responsibilities.

This may or may not be what is best for your child, as the judge does not have the intimate knowledge of the child that you, as parents, do. You should make every effort to create your parenting plan on your own if you want to retain control over what happens with your child.

Do I have to attend a parenting class if we agree on a parenting plan?

Depending on the judge, you may or may not have to attend a parenting class. Since the dissolution of a family is especially difficult on children, the court may require you to attend a parenting seminar to educate you about the effects of divorce on children and their emotional needs (RS 9:306).

Divorce is a very emotional and stressful time for children. By setting your differences aside and working together to create a parenting plan that encompasses the needs and best interests of your child, you help make it a little easier on your child.

Related articles:

The top fifteen cities in Louisiana (by population, US Census Bureau, 2008) are: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Metairie, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Kenner, Bossier City, Monroe, Alexandria, Marrero, New Iberia, Houma, Laplace, Slidell.