{"id":351658,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/child-custody\/the-result-the-parenting-agreement.html"},"modified":"2023-06-22T13:21:53","modified_gmt":"2023-06-22T18:21:53","slug":"the-result-the-parenting-agreement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-custody\/the-result-the-parenting-agreement.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Parenting Agreement?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is a Parenting Agreement?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Jade Yeban, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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A parenting agreement is an alternative to a court-imposed custody determination.  Parenting agreements reflect the resolution of all child custody and visitation issues in a custody dispute. Court approval is the final step in this process. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Most child custody cases can be resolved before a case needs to go to court. This can happen due to informal negotiations between the parents or other parties (and their attorneys). Or, it can happen through alternative dispute resolution processes like mediation or collaborative law<\/a>. Below is a discussion about parenting agreements and court approval in child custody cases.<\/p>\r\n

The Parenting Agreement and Custody<\/h2>\r\n

Suppose the parents or other parties in a custody dispute<\/a> (and their attorneys) negotiate and resolve all child custody and visitation issues. In that case, the couple’s decisions are finalized in detail in a written agreement. Different states use different terms to describe this agreement, including:<\/p>\r\n