<< Return to Homepage

Douglas County Conciliation and Mediation Services
Hall of Justice
1701 Farnam Street, 1st Floor
Omaha, NE 68183
(402) 444-7168

WHAT IS A PARENTING PLAN?

Dissolutions of Marriage, Paternity actions, and Modifications filed in Douglas County District Court that involve children are required to contain a Parenting Plan that includes eight basic elements. A parenting plan is a “blueprint” for how children are going to be co-parented after their parents have separated. The plan needs to indicate:

1. The type of custody the parents will share. (sole, joint, etc.)
2. How the day-to-day time with the children will be shared-“parenting time.” (including specific pick up and return times)
3. How the holidays will be shared. (including the specific pick up and return times)
4. How much vacation time each of the parents will have with them.

Acknowledgments required in all plans:

5. The names of both parents will appear on all school and medical records so both will have access to them.
6. The issues the parents agree to discuss before making decisions about the children and how those decisions will be made.
7. That both parents will be informed about the children’s activities so both may participate and support them in these activities.
8. That all communications about the children will remain between the mother and father only, a reminder that third parties (extended family members, significant others or new spouses) should not be involved in these parental communications.

Please notify your lawyer after you have attended this seminar.

Unless you or your attorney/s advise us they are negotiating a Parenting Plan for you, a mediator will be assigned to your case mid-week following your attendance. A mediator is a neutral 3rd party who will facilitate your discussion and guide you through the required elements in the plan.

Prior to your mediation session you should discuss with your attorneys the forms of custody and their relationship to child support and other obligations created by the different types of custody, and any other matters on which you may be unclear. At your mediation session you should be prepared to discuss the custody form you will share (Sole, Joint Legal, Joint Legal & Physical, Split, etc), holidays and vacation amounts. It should be noted that in this judicial district “reasonable” visitation generally includes alternating weekends, an evening during the week, and such other times as the parties may mutually agree, in addition to at least alternating holidays and specific vacation time for both parents, including the maximum for each. Some agreements contain more time; some contain less. You may depart from these schedules any time you mutually agree to do so, but if there is not mutual agreement, the terms agreed upon in the plan apply.

Mediation enables both parents to have a direct voice in how that time will be shared. For example: Will all your holidays be alternated? Will some or all be split? Are there some holidays that your children will continue to spend each year with one side of the family due to past traditions? One of the strong points of mediation is that a combination of these approaches may be chosen, as long as the parties mutually agree.

Please bring any information to the mediation appointment that will be helpful in working out your parenting schedules, such as your work & holiday schedule, the children’s school, vacation and holiday schedules, as well as those for activities, sports, etc. Being prepared for your mediation session will make efficient use of your time and money and enable you to be in a better position to make decisions on what will work best for you and your children.

Douglas County Home | About DC | Departments | Services Frequently Asked Questions | Feedback © Copyright 2005, Douglas County, Nebraska Disclaimer