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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.

"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."

"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."

South Dakota Parenting Plans and Custody Agreements

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

In South Dakota, 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

Where can I find some of the South Dakota laws regarding custody?

The State of South Dakota has specific laws pertaining to child custody and visitation that should be adhered to when creating a parenting plan in the state.

Some of these laws can be found in the South Dakota Codified Laws, Title 25, Domestic Relations. The law is specific and defines some of the terminology used by the courts, the factors the court considers when determining the custody of a child, and provides parents with the option of creating their own parenting plan to submit to the court.

The South Dakota Unified Judicial System provides the public with a valuable tool that can be used when bringing a case before a judge, a document entitled, "Going Solo: Representing Yourself in the South Dakota Courts".

Even if you have an attorney, studying this publication and the law and becoming familiar with some of the rules and processes the court uses will enable you to have a better understanding of the custody process, bettering your chances of a successful outcome in your case.

How does cooperating with the other parent (or not) affect custody?

Your custody arrangements will be affected by whether or not you can work together to create a plan with the other parent.

The State of South Dakota has laws in place that allow the court to require parents to comply with a standard custody arrangement, based on a statewide set of "standard guidelines" (SDCL § 25-4A-9).

However, the law also allows parents that are able to work together the opportunity to create their own parenting plan to submit to the court, which may deviate from the "standard" guidelines (SDCL § 25-4A-12).

This plan should be submitted in writing, and filed with the court after being signed by both parents.

When parents are able to work together and create a parenting plan, it is much more beneficial to their child, as each child is unique and the court's guidelines were created for children in general.

In South Dakota, what does the court consider when ruling on custody?

The State of South Dakota bases all child custody decisions on one main factor: The best interests of the child. The child's health, well-being, and welfare are considered paramount when determining child custody.

The court will examine all relevant factors in the child's life when determining the child's best interests, including, but not limited to:

The child's wishes, should the child be of a sufficient age and maturity level and desire to express an intelligent preference (SDCL § 25-4-45).
The moral fitness of each parent and their abilities to provide the child with a nurturing, stable, safe, and affectionate home environment.
The abilities of each parent to provide the child with basic necessities, such as adequate food, clothing, shelter, and medical care.
The past history of the child's care.
Whether or not one parent has acted as the child's primary caregiver.
The amount and quality of time each parent has spent with the child.
The past and present conduct of each parent.
The quality of the relationships between the child and each parent.
Whether or not a parent seems to be a willing participant in the child's life.
The child's adjustment to his or her school, home, and community and the effect continuing or disrupting these circumstances would have on the child.
The child's relationships with any siblings and extended family.
Any past or present situations that could pose a danger to the child, such as abuse, neglect, domestic violence, drug use, alcoholism, etc.
Each parent's willingness to allow the other parent access to the child and to help foster a loving relationship between the child and the other parent.
Whether or not a parent has made disparaging remarks about the other parent to, or in front of, the child.
Any other relevant information that would have an effect on the child's best interests.

What should I include in my South Dakota parenting plan?

A parenting plan in the State of South Carolina should include, at a minimum:

A statement declaring the kind of custody the parents shall have.
A designation of the child's primary residence.
A child visitation schedule that specifies when a child will spend time with each parent on a regular basis, on holidays, and on vacations.
A statement delegating parental rights, responsibilities, and decision making authority.
A method for revising the parenting plan in the future.
A method for dispute resolution.
Any other information you would like to include, such as stipulations for transportation arrangements, splitting optional expenses, etc.

If you want to make a comprehensive parenting plan that is customized for your child, your custody agreement should include as many provisions as you can think of and be as detailed as possible.

What if we are unable agree on a parenting plan / custody agreement?

Mediation is available for parents that are unable to reach an agreement. The court may even order the parents to attend mediation, if necessary (SDCL § 25-4-57).

Finding common ground with a parent you are divorcing or separating from may not always be easy, but it is in the best interest of the child to do so. If you cannot agree on some of the issues, even through mediation, the mediator will inform the court.

The court will then set a date for a hearing and the judge will decide the parenting arrangements and visitation schedule for you (SDCL § 25-4-62).

You may wish to submit a proposed parenting plan to the court if you are unable to reach an agreement with the other parent. It will give the judge some perspective and something else to consider besides the generic "standard guidelines".

The top ten cities in South Dakota (by population, US Census Bureau, 2008) are: Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Watertown, Brookings, Pierre, Mitchell, Yankton, Huron, Vermillion.