Missouri Parenting Plans
By Olivia Wathne, Esq. | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq. | Last reviewed May 16, 2025
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A Missouri parenting plan is a detailed document required when filing for custody or visitation, aimed at promoting a child's best interests. It covers custody arrangements, decision-making responsibilities, dispute resolution, and expenses.
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 custody or visitation. These plans help parents who are not living together create an environment that promotes their child’s best interests.
Parenting plans are detailed and comprehensive, focusing on four major areas:
Custody and parenting time
Decision-making rights and responsibilities
Dispute resolution
The child's expenses
Missouri has a parenting plan form 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.
This article will give you a general overview of the information and decisions that you will need to make in developing your Missouri parenting plan.
Missouri Parenting Plans: The Basics
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 "plain English" to assist you.
Statutes |
Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 452
Missouri Supreme Court
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Custody and Parenting Time |
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 “noncustodial parent.”
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Decision-Making Rights and Responsibilities |
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:
Agreements About Communication Make agreements to ensure you communicate about important topics, including:
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Dispute Resolution |
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:
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Covering the Child's Expenses |
Both parents are responsible for the support and expenses of their children. The court will determine the amount of child support 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:
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Grandparenting Time |
Grandparents may be granted reasonable visitation rights (Section 452.402) |
Note: 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.
Research Missouri Law
Missouri Parenting Plan: Related Resources
Have Questions About Your Parenting Plan? A Missouri Attorney Can Help
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 Missouri family law attorney can help you.
Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?
- Custody & child visitation cases are emotional, and a lawyer can seek the best outcome
- A lawyer can help protect your children's interests
- Lawyers can seek to secure visitation rights
Get tailored advice and ask a lawyer questions. Many attorneys offer free consultations.
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