Updated September 16, 2026. This article has been revised for California readers.
A parenting plan should meet the needs of the particular child. California custody decisions focus on the child’s best interests. A checklist borrowed from another state is not a substitute for the California rules or an assessment of your family’s circumstances.
Start with health and safety
Tell your attorney about concerns involving abuse, substance use, unsafe exchanges, or other risks. Give specific facts and relevant records. Safety concerns may affect both the legal standards and the arrangements the court considers appropriate.
Explain daily life
A useful picture includes school, childcare, transportation, medical care, and the child’s established routines. Describe how the proposed schedule would work on an ordinary school day as well as during vacations. Practical details help turn a general request into a plan that can be followed.
Distinguish decisions from schedules
Legal custody and physical custody address different responsibilities. A schedule alone may not explain who will make important decisions or how parents will exchange information. Consider how the plan handles education and healthcare questions and predictable points of disagreement.
Prepare accurate information
Organize relevant messages, calendars, and records without exaggeration. Describe the effect of a problem on the child rather than using labels for the other parent. Let counsel guide any discussion about how a child’s views may be considered; do not ask a child to prepare a statement or take sides.
Understand the role of professionals
Parents may work with a court mediator. In some cases, a judge orders a custody evaluation to investigate the child’s health, safety, welfare, and best interests. An evaluation is not required in every case, and its process should be discussed with counsel.
Plan for your family
Our firm helps parents develop and evaluate parenting proposals with attention to the child’s needs. Bring your current orders and questions so we can discuss the next step in your Contra Costa, Alameda, or Solano matter.
California Courts: child custody evaluations
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