{"id":374516,"date":"2019-08-16T12:25:56","date_gmt":"2019-08-16T17:25:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-parenting-plans.html"},"modified":"2025-05-16T12:53:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T17:53:00","slug":"missouri-parenting-plans","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-parenting-plans.html","title":{"rendered":"Missouri Parenting Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Missouri Parenting Plans<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/olivia-wathne-jd\/\">Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/catherine-hodder-esq\/\">Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last reviewed\n        <time>\n                            May 16, 2025\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<blockquote>A Missouri parenting plan is a detailed document required when filing for custody or visitation, aimed at promoting a child&#8217;s best interests. It covers custody arrangements, decision-making responsibilities, dispute resolution, and expenses.<\/blockquote>\r\n<p>Whenever possible, it is best for your child to have frequent, continuing, and meaningful contact with both parents as well as other family members. To help accomplish this goal, Missouri requires a parenting plan whenever someone files a petition for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-custody\/the-various-types-of-child-custody.html\">custody<\/a> or visitation. These plans help parents who are not living together create an environment that promotes their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-custody\/focusing-on-the-best-interests-of-the-child.html\">child\u2019s best interests<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Parenting plans are detailed and comprehensive, focusing on four major areas:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Custody and parenting time<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Decision-making rights and responsibilities<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Dispute resolution<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>The child&#8217;s expenses<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Missouri has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.mo.gov\/file.jsp?id=30788\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">parenting plan form<\/a> to help you provide the necessary information for a plan. It is best if the parents can work out a proposed parenting plan together. If this is not possible, each parent must submit a plan. If the parents cannot agree, the court will make determinations based on the submitted plans.<\/p>\r\n<p>This article will give you a general overview of the information and decisions that you will need to make in developing your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.mo.gov\/file.jsp?id=92713\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Missouri parenting plan<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Missouri Parenting Plans: The Basics<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Developing a parenting plan is no small matter. You will be asked to provide detailed information about how and when each parent will spend time with the child, as well as answer questions as to how you will handle any problems in the future. There is a detailed form and statute that describes the information that you will need, but sometimes statutes can be confusing. See below for a summary in &quot;plain English&quot; to assist you.<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody><tr><td><p><b>Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><i><b>Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 452<\/b><\/i><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mo\/title-xxx-domestic-relations\/mo-rev-st-452-310.html\" title=\"Parenting plans submitted, when, content, exception\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Section 452.310<\/a> (Parenting plans)<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mo\/title-xxx-domestic-relations\/mo-rev-st-452-340.html\" title=\"\u00a7 452.340 Child support guidelines\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Section 452.340<\/a> (Child support guidelines)<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mo\/title-xxx-domestic-relations\/mo-rev-st-452-375.html\" title=\"\u00a7 452.375 Custody--definitions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Section 452.375<\/a> (Custody definitions)<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mo\/title-xxx-domestic-relations\/mo-rev-st-452-376.html\" title=\"\u00a7 452.376. School progress records--receipt of by noncustodial or joint custody parent--exclusion of address of custodial parent or child--school administrative fee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Section 452.376<\/a> (Right to receive child&#8217;s school reports)<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mo\/title-xxx-domestic-relations\/mo-rev-st-452-377.html\" title=\"\u00a7 452.377. Relocation of children\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Section 452.377<\/a> (Relocation of children)<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><i><b>Missouri Supreme Court<\/b><\/i><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.mo.gov\/courts\/ClerkHandbooksP2RulesOnly.nsf\/c0c6ffa99df4993f86256ba50057dcb8\/bb1f5facef06aef386256ca60052137f?OpenDocument\" title=\"88.01. Presumed Child Support Amount\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rule 88.01<\/a> (Presumed child support amount)<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><b>Custody and Parenting Time<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p>You will have to decide if one or both parents have legal custody, and\/or physical custody. You may choose to share both types of custody or only share one. It is common for parents to have joint legal custody and grant one parent sole physical custody. It is also possible for one parent to have sole legal custody and physical custody, and the other parent to have visitation rights. The parent with visitation rights is called the \u201cnoncustodial parent.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-custody\/legal-custody.html\">Legal custody<\/a>: the right to make decisions on the child&#8217;s health, education, and welfare<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-custody\/physical-custody.html\">Physical custody<\/a>: the right to have specific periods of time with the child<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p><i><b>Where will the children reside?<\/b><\/i><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>The address of at least one of the parents needs to be designated as the children&#8217;s address.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>A 90-day notice is required before either a parent or the children can change residence.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><i><b>What will the parenting time schedule be for each parent?<\/b><\/i><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Include a complete parenting schedule covering 24\/7 for each parent.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Designate a beginning and an end date and time for visits.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><i><b>How are children picked up and dropped off?<\/b><\/i><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Designate locations where children will be dropped off or picked up for each scheduled parenting time<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Note any changes that need to be made when school is not in session.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>If the exchange will occur at a location other than a parent&#8217;s residence, each parent shall be at the designated place and time for the exchange. The dropping-off parent is responsible for bringing the children to the exchange.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Consider whether other family members (e.g., grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.) may pick up or drop off the children.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><i><b>Who will be responsible for transporting the children between parents?<\/b><\/i><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Decide who will be responsible for extraordinary transportation costs.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Decide who will transport the children for each leg of the journey (e.g., Mother is responsible for transportation during the week, and Father is responsible on weekends and holidays).<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><i><b>How are holidays and vacations handled?<\/b><\/i><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Decide who gets the children for each holiday.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Consider the start and end times for the holidays.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Consider every other year or divide up the holidays.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Specify how you will handle vacations.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b>What if you need to change the schedule?<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Parents should attempt to agree on any changes, but the parent receiving the request shall have the final determination.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Designate how the request for a change is to be made.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Designate how much notice is required for a request change.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Designate when a response to a request is to be made.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Parents are to cooperate to allow children to meet school and social commitments.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><i><b>Can I require telephone contact?<\/b><\/i><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Parents should give their children reasonable access to the telephone during any visit so that they can call the other parent.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Designate any necessary restrictions (e.g., no calls after 11:00 p.m. or before 6:00 a.m.).<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><i><b>How will you handle any special needs?<\/b><\/i><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Note any of the child&#8217;s special needs (e.g., medications or health conditions).<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Determine how supervised visits will be handled.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Are there people that the children should not have contact with?<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Are there places that the children should not be allowed to go?<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><b>Decision-Making Rights and Responsibilities<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p>Missouri has a strong public policy that encourages both parents to participate in decisions that concern their children. Still, sometimes it is better to have one parent responsible for certain things. You should consider each of the following areas as to whether you will share decision making, or whether one parent will be responsible:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Education<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Medical<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Dental<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Selection of health care providers<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Selection of child care providers<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Extracurricular activities<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Religious upbringing<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><i><b>Agreements About Communication<\/b><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p>Make agreements to ensure you communicate about important topics, including:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>All school, sporting, or special activities concerning the children.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Address or telephone number changes<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Any communication from the court.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><b>Dispute Resolution<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p>You should attempt to resolve all matters with the other parent, but if you cannot do so, consider a plan that will help resolve a dispute, such as:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>A pre-arranged agreement to mediate disputes by a designated counselor or mediator.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>An agreement that the court has the authority to resolve the matter.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><b>Covering the Child&#8217;s Expenses<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p>Both parents are responsible for the support and expenses of their children. The court will determine the amount of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-child-support-guidelines.html\">child support<\/a> based on a variety of factors. However, there may be other expenses that require special consideration on who pays and what percentage. These expenses may include:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Health insurance coverage<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Medical<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Dental<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Psychological<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Other health care<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Education expenses<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Childcare<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Other expenses (music lessons, sports equipment, uniforms)<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><b>Grandparenting Time<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p>Grandparents may be granted reasonable visitation rights (<a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mo\/title-xxx-domestic-relations\/mo-rev-st-452-402.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Section 452.402<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<p><i><b>Note:<\/b><\/i> <i>State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Research Missouri Law<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/revisor.mo.gov\/main\/Home.aspx\" title=\"Official State Codes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Official State Codes<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mo\/\" title=\"Missouri Revised Statutes and Constitutions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Missouri Revised Statutes and Constitutions<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><b>Missouri Parenting Plan: Related Resources<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-child-custody-laws.html\">Missouri Child Custody Laws<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-legal-requirements-for-divorce.html\">Missouri Divorce Laws<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.mo.gov\/file.jsp?id=1783\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Missouri Parent Handbook<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-custody\/parental-visitation-rights-faq.html\">Parental Visitation Rights FAQ<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><b>Have Questions About Your Parenting Plan? A Missouri Attorney Can Help<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>It is in the best interests of the child to have frequent and quality time with both parents, but it can be a daunting task. There is so much detailed information and possible future consequences. You may have questions or need help creating your Missouri parenting plan. Contacting a qualified <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/family-law\/missouri\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Missouri family law attorney<\/a> can help you.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g 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                 for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    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          class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                      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<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FindLaw walks through the basics of developing a parenting plan in the state of Missouri.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":374424,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2743],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[3123],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-374516","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-state","state_laws_tags-statelaws_26_2"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/374516","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=374516"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/374516\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/374424"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=374516"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=374516"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=374516"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=374516"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=374516"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}