Ontario Parenting Plan Information
What Is a Parenting Plan?
Whichever form of custody and access you and your former partner are contemplating, a parenting plan can be a useful tool for preventing conflict (see our article: Types of Parenting Arrangements for a detailed description of forms of custody and access.) A parenting plan is an agreement between post-separation parents outlining the specific ways in which each parent will care for and continue to raise their children. A well-prepared parenting plan contemplates both the current and future needs of the children, along with methods to resolve common areas of conflict in post-separation families.
An Ontario family law lawyer is an excellent resource when creating a parenting plan, because your particular circumstances will be noted in a document that is reliable and respectful of the legal rights of both the children and parents involved. While a parenting plan is a legally binding document, it requires a great deal of cooperation in order to ensure compliance and avoid conflict. Post-separation families with high levels of conflict are not well suited to collaborating or negotiating parenting plans without the assistance of an experienced lawyer.
Typically, a well-written parenting plan will outline the following:
- How decisions about a child’s health, education, and wellbeing will be made;
- A reliable and specific schedule detailing where the child will reside on any given day;
- What methods will be used to meet the child’s physical, emotional, and psychological needs;
- How parents should communicate with each other about parenting issues – for example, via email, over the phone, or in a parenting journal that travels with the children;
- How parents will resolve their future disagreements about parenting: mediation, arbitration, or collaboration;
- What each party expects from the other in terms of discipline and daily routines; and
- The right of first refusal (if a parent is unable to care for the child during their regularly scheduled access time).
Be Specific & Clear in Your Access Schedule
Access schedules are most beneficial when they are specific. A well-prepared schedule details the days and hours each parent spends with the children and includes pick up and drop off information. Detailed and recurrent schedules are helpful when planning future events and will also provide children with a sense of routine. In addition to daily access, a parenting plan should outline parental access for holidays and special occasions such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and birthdays.
For more information, call (905) 581-7222 to speak with a lawyer at Feldstein Family Law Group P.C.

Meet Our Dedicated Team of Lawyers
Over a Century of Collective Experience-
Andrew Feldstein
Founder
Andrew Feldstein graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1992. Prior to focusing exclusively on family law, Andrew’s legal practice covered many different areas, including corporate commercial. One of Andrew’s fundamental objectives is to achieve those goals mutually and collaboratively, as set out by him and his client.
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Deleta Grandy
Lawyer
Deleta Grandy obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in 2012, where she graduated with Honours. She completed her legal studies at Western Law School, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 2016.
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Jeff Hart
Lawyer
Jeff obtained his Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Classical Studies from McMaster University before attending law school at Queen’s.
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Daphna Schwartz
Lawyer
Location: Markham Daphna Schwartz joined Feldstein Family Law Group, P.C. in 2007 as an associate lawyer. She was previously ... -
Nick Slinko
Lawyer
Location: Vaughan Nick Slinko attended York University from 2003 until 2007 where he majored in both Law & Society and ... -
Anna Troitschanski
Lawyer
Anna Troitschanski joined the team at Feldstein Family Law Group, P.C. in 2012. Prior to that, she practised Family Law at a boutique Newmarket firm. Her experience covers all areas of divorce and family law, including custody and access, child support, spousal support, and division of property. -
Veronica Yeung
Lawyer
Veronica Yeung joined the Feldstein Family Law Group, P.C. as a summer student in 2014 and returned as an articling student in 2015. Following her call to the Ontario Bar in June 2016, Veronica was welcomed to the team as an associate lawyer.
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Shana Gordon-Katz
Lawyer
Shana joined Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. as an articling student in 2017. Following her call to the Ontario Bar in June 2018, Shana was welcomed back to the firm as an associate. While completing her articles, Shana assisted with legal matters covering all areas of family law.
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Shazia Hafiji
Lawyer
Shazia Hafiji joined Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. as a summer student in 2016 and returned as an articling student in 2017. Following her Call to the Ontario Bar in 2018, Shazia returned to the firm as an associate lawyer.
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Lucy D'Ercole
Lawyer
Lucy D’Ercole joined Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. as a summer student in 2017 and returned as an articling student in 2018, during which she gained valuable experience in all areas of family law. Following her call to the Ontario Bar in 2019, Lucy was welcomed back to the firm as an associate lawyer. -
Joy Pura
Lawyer
Joy Pura completed her legal studies and obtained a Juris Doctor at the University of Ottawa. Prior to that, she completed ...