Custody Agreement (For Maryland, May Not Be Valid In Other States)

________ and ___________, do hereby agree that their children shall be in the joint custody of their natural Parents, and it is further AGREED that the parties of this agreement shall alternate custody of the children on each of the children's birthdays, parent's birthdays, New Year's Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, and Easter Sunday, and it is further AGREED that the parties of the agreement split custody of the children on Christmas Day, and it is further AGREED that the natural mother shall have custody of the children on Mother's Day and that the natural father shall have custody of Father's Day, and it is further AGREED that the non-residential parent shall have the right to complete information from any physician, dentist, consultant or specialist attending to the children's physical or mental needs for any reason whatsoever, and to copies of any reports given to the other parent by such persons; and it is further AGREED that the non-residential parent shall have the right to converse at least three (3) times a week on the telephone with the children without interference from the residential parent, and it is further AGREED that the non-residential parent shall have the right of peaceful visitations with said minor children at all herein above times, and the right to have said children visit and converse on the telephone with the non-residential parent at all reasonable times and places; and it is further AGREED that neither party shall obstruct the development and maintenance of love and affection between the children and the other party. Neither will interfere with reasonable and proper companionship with the other party, including reasonable communication by telephone or writing. Neither will do or say anything that may estrange the children from the other parent. __________________________ _________________________ NAME NAME Subscribed and sworn before me this ____ day of ______________, 19__. _________________________ Notary Public My commission expires: )* IN THE XXX ) CIRCUIT COURT Plaintiff ) v. ) FOR BALTIMORE COUNTY XXX ) Defendant ) Case No.: _________ __________________________) P A R E N T I N G A G R E E M E N T We, _________________, (mother), and __________________, (father), as fit and loving parents have reached agreement on a parenting plan for our daughter/son/child(ren), born ______________. We have developed this parenting agreement with the assistance of a mediator, in good faith and on behalf of the best interests of our child(ren). Custody We agree that _________________, (mother) shall be the primary residential parent for our daughter/son/child(ren). We agree to joint legal custody of _______________. All major decisions affecting her/his/their growth, health, education, welfare, and development shall be made jointly by us. If emergency medical treatment shall be required, the parent having care of the child(ren) at the time may arrange for treatment but shall notify the other parent as soon as possible. We agree to consult with one another on all important school issues and events such as parent-teacher conferences and to jointly decide on changes of school curriculum, enrollment in extracurricular activities and her attendance or participation in special school events. Visitation We agree that during the school year, which shall run from early September to the middle of June, ___________________ ______________ will visit her/his/their father every other week from ___________ until ______________. During the alternate weeks, in between, ________________ will visit with her/his/their father from Friday afternoon (after school) through Sunday at 6:00 P.M. Summer Vacation -(cite schedule) Winter School Break- _________________- will share Christmas Day with both parents. The parent that has her/him/them on Christmas Eve will have her/him/them overnight through approximately noon on Christmas Day. In even numbered years, mother will have the child(ren) on Christmas Eve, and the father will have her/him/them in odd numbered years. The remainder of _______________'s Winter school break, including one weekend, will be spent with the father. Father agrees to take sufficient leave from his place of employment so that he and his child(ren) may spend the Winter school break together. If the father cannot take leave, our regular weekday and weekend schedule will apply. Spring School Break- In odd numbered years, we agree that __________________ will spend the entire break including one weekend with father and that in even numbered years s/he/they will spend the break with her/his/their mother. If either parent plans to be out-of- area with the child(ren), that parent will have both weekends (surrounding Easter break) with them. Thanksgiving Break- In odd numbered years, we agree that _________________ will spend Thanksgiving Day, the following day and the weekend with mother, and in even numbered years, s/he/they will spend the four consecutive days with father. Federal Holidays- Federal holidays that are celebrated on a Monday or a Friday shall be (negotiated by us on a case by basis) (added to our respective weekend visitation schedules). Special Days- Mother's Day-child(ren) with mother Father's Day-child(ren) with father Mother's Birthday-child(ren) with mother Father's Birthday-child(ren) with father Child(ren)'s Birthday-we agree to share this day equally. We agree to be flexible with our school year and summer visitation schedule and that changes/ revisions to the schedule will be by mutual consent and with a minimum of thirty (30) days advance notice. Regardless of which parent our child(ren) are scheduled to visit during her/his/their vacations, we agree to adjust our respective plans to accommodate any activities our child(ren) are involved in. We agree to modify/rearrange our respective visitation schedules for visits by out-of-area relatives including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Parenting Decisions Responsibility for day-to-day parenting decisions will rest with the parent with whom the child is then residing, including vacation and holiday parenting. Examples of parental day-to-day decisions include treatment of minor health problems and injuries, diet, television, house rules and discipline, bedtime, etc. Mother and Father will ensure that _____________________ school books, book bag, lunch and sports equipment will be given to her/him/them when s/he/they visit the other parent. On all other significant matters involving the child(ren), we agree to consult with each other always taking account of the child(ren)'s best interests. We agree that if one of us is unable to take care of our child(ren), we shall notify the other parent so that parent has the option of providing for the personal care of our child(ren) rather than a third party. We agree to notify each other of any out-area trips with the child(ren) including destination and duration of the visit. Family Communications Our child(ren) will be reminded by the parent s/he/they is/are with to telephone the absent parent to that continuous parent-child contact can be maintained throughout the week. We agree to provide each other with residential and office phone numbers and to notify one another immediately if these numbers are changes. We agree that both parents shall have the right to complete information from any physician, dentist, consultant or specialist attending to the child(ren)'s physical or mental needs for any reaons whatsoever, and to copies of any reports given to the other parent by such persons. We agree that neither party shall obstruct the development and maintenance of love and affection between the child(ren) and the other party. Neither will interfere with reasonable and proper companionship with the other party, including reasonable communication by telephone or writing. Neither will do or say anything that may estrange the child(ren) from the other parent. This parenting plan was developed by us in furtherance of our child(ren)'s best interests. Major Dispute/Changes in Circumstances In the event of a major dispute or change in circumstances regarding the terms of this parenting plan, we agree to return to mediation in an attempt to modify the plan either through a court appointed mediator or a private mediator of our own choosing before bringing any action before the court. _________________________ _________________________ NAME NAME Subscribed before me this ___ day of _________, 19___ ___________________________ NOTARY PUBLIC My commission Expires on ----- Brought to you by - The 'Lectric Law Library The Net's Finest Legal Resource For Legal Pros & Laypeople Alike. http://www.lectlaw.com