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The Wayne County court has a standard co-parenting plan that parents can use as a starting point. However, parents are encouraged to customize the plan to meet their specific needs.

The following are some of the key provisions that are typically included in a co-parenting plan:

• Parenting time schedule: This section of the plan outlines how much time each parent will spend with the child. The schedule should be flexible enough to accommodate the child's needs and the parents' work schedules.
• Decision-making: This section of the plan outlines how the parents will make decisions about the child's major life events, such as education, healthcare, and religion. The parents should agree to share decision-making equally, unless there is a good reason to do otherwise.
• Communication: This section of the plan outlines how the parents will communicate with each other about the child. The parents should agree to communicate in a respectful and cooperative manner.
• Exchange of information: This section of the plan outlines how the parents will exchange information about the child, such as school reports, medical records, and extracurricular activities. The parents should agree to exchange information promptly and in a complete manner.
• Conflict resolution: This section of the plan outlines how the parents will resolve conflicts that arise between them. The parents should agree to resolve conflicts in a peaceful and constructive manner.
• Enforcement: This section of the plan outlines how the court will enforce the plan if one parent fails to comply. The parents should agree to cooperate with the court in enforcing the plan.

 

A co-parenting plan is an important tool for parents who are going through a divorce or separation. It can help to ensure that both parents have an equal say in their child's upbringing and that the child's best interests are always considered.

 

If you are going through a divorce or separation in Wayne County, Michigan, you should consult with an attorney to discuss your co-parenting options. An attorney can help you to create a plan that meets your specific needs and that is enforceable by the court.

 

Here are some additional tips for creating a successful co-parenting plan:

• Be flexible. Things change, so be prepared to make adjustments to your plan as needed.
• Communicate openly and honestly with each other. This is essential for maintaining a positive relationship with your co-parent.
• Put the child's needs first. Always make decisions that are in the best interests of your child.
• Get help if you need it. If you are having trouble co-parenting, don't hesitate to seek professional help. There are many resources available to help you and your co-parent work together successfully.

Co-parenting can be challenging, but it is possible to do it successfully. By following these tips, you can create a plan that works for you and your child.

 

General Parenting Time

The Wayne County Parenting Plan can be used by custodial parent (CP) and non-custodial parent (NCP) when they live close to each other, the child(ren) has a relationship with the NCP, and the parents cannot otherwise agree on parenting time. The parents can change the parenting-time schedule if both of them agree with the change.  They do not need to go to the court to request a change. 

 

Why Does Wayne County Circuit Court Wants To Get Involved?

Wayne County Court would like to make sure that both parents help their child(ren) have a good relationship with the other parent. The court would also like to make sure that :

• Parents make exchanges easier for the children by following set schedules, avoiding conflict with the other parent in front of child(ren), and supporting (child(ren)’s relationship with the other parent. 
• The child(ren) are allowed to take toys and/or important personal items with him/her back and forth to each parents’ home.
• The child(ren)’s items are returned to the home of the parent who provided the item. 
• Parents do not talk badly about, or allow third parties to talk badly about, the other parent to or in front of the child(ren). 
• Parents do not talk about court issues with the child(ren). 

 

What is Wayne County's Infant and Toddler Co-Parenting Policy?

Per Wayne County Superior Courty, the age of a child(ren) is an important issue in determining the amount and length of parenting time.  As a child grows, s/he will need more contact with each parent, but the length of the contact can be shorter. As a child(ren) becomes older, the contact may be less often but longer.  Below are the requirements:

• Age  0 -1 Year:  For regular parenting time, two visits of up to 2 hours each and one 6 hour visit per week. Overnight stays are not allowed.  The court may order Monday and Wednesday 12PM to 2PM, 5:30 PM to 7:30PM, Saturday/Sunday 1PM to 7PM if parents cannot agree on a time.
• Age  1 - 3 Years:  For regular parenting time, Every Tuesday at 6PM until 8:30PM, and alternate weekends at Friday 6PM until Saturday 6PM or Saturday 6PM until Sunday 6PM.

 

Wayne County Approved Holiday Parenting Time

 

Holiday	Non-Custodial Parent	Even Years	Odd Years	Even Years	Odd Years
Memorial Day	N/A	Mother	Father	Mother	Father
4th of July Weekend	N/A	Father	Mother	Father	Mother
Labor Day Weekend	N/A	Mother	Father	Mother	Father
Halloween	N/A	Father	Mother	Father	Mother
Child’s Birthday	5 hours – based upon the work schedules of the parties.	Mother	Father	Mother	Father
Thanksgiving Weekend	12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, only	Father	Mother	Father	Mother
Christmas/Holiday Break	N/A	N/A	N/A
• Christmas Eve	N/A	Mother	Father
• Christmas Day	12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.	Father	Mother
• New Year’s Eve	N/A	Mother	Father
• New Year’s Day	N/A	Father	Mother
Spring Break	N/A	N/A	N/A	Father	Mother
Easter Weekend (if not included in Spring Break)	12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Easter Sunday, only	Mother	Father	Mother	Father
Mid-Winter Break	N/A	N/A	N/A	Father	Mother

 

If you practice one of the other religions such as Islamic, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Baha’, Jain, Pagan, Shinto, or Sikh, then you can apply the Christmas schedule to the holiday of your faith.

What time does Holiday Parenting Time Begin in Wayne County?

• Memorial Day Weekend begins at 6PM the Friday before Memorial Day and ends at 6PM Memorial Day. 
• Fourth of July begins at 6PM on July 3rd and ends at 6PM on July 5th. 
• Labor Day Weekend begins at 6PM the Friday before Labor Day and ends at 6PM Labor Day. 
• Halloween: Parenting time begins at 6PM and ends at 8PM. 
• Thanksgiving Weekend begins at 6PM the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day and ends at 6PM the following Sunday at 6PM. 
• Christmas Eve: Begins December 23 at 6PM and ends December 24 at 6PM 
• Christmas Day: Begins December 24 at 6PM and ends December 25 at 6PM 
• New Years Eve: Begins December 30 at 6PM and ends December 31 at 6PM 
• New Years Day: Begins December 31 at 6PM and ends January 1 at 6PM 
• Child’s Birthday: If the child’s birthday falls on a scheduled school day, parenting time starts from 6PM until 8:30PM. If the child’s birthday falls on a non-school day, parenting time starts from 9AM to 6PM. If the child’s birthday takes place on the same date as a recognized holiday, the holiday parenting time will take precedence over the birthday parenting time. 
• Easter: If the children’s Spring Break does not include Easter, Easter is exercised from Friday before Easter at 6PM until Easter Sunday at 6PM. 
• Mother’s Day/Father’s Day: The child(ren) should with their mother on Mother’s Day from 9AM until 6PM, and with their father on Father’s Day from 9AM until 6PM. 

The Christmas schedule can also be used for Eid, Haunkah, Baisakhi and Diwali.

 

Wayne County Required School Break Parenting Time

• Summer Break: Summer Break is defined as the period between the last day of school at the end of the school year until the day school starts again in the Fall. Each parent should have one week (7 consecutive overnights) of uninterrupted parenting time each month in July and August. If the parents do not agree in writing on their summer parenting time, they should follow the mandate below:
  • July/August summer parenting time. The parenting time for the noncustodial parent begins the second Sunday in July and August at 6PM and continue until the following Sunday at 6PM. The parenting time for the custodial parent begins on the third Sunday in July and August at 6PM and continue until the following Sunday at 6PM. 
• Spring and/or Mid-Winter Break: The parents should defer to the Spring and/or Mid-Winter Break schedule of the school district. Spring and/or Mid- Winter Break parenting time should be from 6PM on the day school is recessed until 6PM the day before school is scheduled to resume. 
• Christmas/Holiday Break: The parents should defer to the Christmas/Holiday Break schedule of the school district. 
  • In Odd Numbered Years: Father shall have parenting time from 6PM on the day that the school recesses for holiday (Christmas) Break until 6PM December 24th. Mother shall have parenting time from 6PM December 24th until 6PM December 31st. Father shall have parenting time from December 31st at 6PM until 6PM the day before school is scheduled to resume. Thereafter the normal parenting time schedule shall resume. 
  • In Even Numbered Years: Mother shall have parenting time from 6PM on the day that school recesses for winter (Christmas) Break until 6PM December 24th. Father shall have parenting time from 6PM December 24th until 6PM December 31st. Mother shall have parenting time from December 31st at 6PM until 6PM the day before 

The Christmas schedule can also be used for Eid, Haunkah, Baisakhi and Diwali.

 

Transportation for Co-Parenting

Each party is responsible for picking up the children at the start of his/her parenting time. An adult that is familiar to the children can also provide transportation. The child(ren) should be secured in an appropriate child safety seat at all times while being transported in a vehicle. 

 

Other Co-Parenting Issues To Consider

The parenting time schedule should be exercised in a prompt manner. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, a 30 minute delay in collecting or returning the children is allowed, but notice of a delay should be given where possible. The custodial parent cannot withhold the non-custodial parent’s parenting time due to illness of the child unless transporting the child to/from parenting time would be detrimental to the child’s health/welfare and the same is documented by the child’s physician. 

• The custodial parent must inform the other parent of necessary medication and possible illness. The custodial parent must provide prescriptions to the non-custodial parent during his or her parenting time. 
• The custodial parent cannot interfere with the non-custodial parent’s right to access school and medical information, unless prohibited by a Personal Protection Order. 
• The parents should cooperate when making plans for the child(ren) or enrolling the child(ren) in extracurricular activities to ensure that the activities do not interfere with the other parent’s regularly scheduled parenting time, unless otherwise agreed. 
• All schedules for the child(ren)’s activities should be exchanged with the other parent immediately upon receipt (i.e, sports, music, academics, etc.). Both parents are required to transport the child(ren) to the activity during his/her parenting time. Parents may attend a child(ren)’s extracurricular activities that occur during the other parent’s scheduled parenting time, unless barred by a Court Order, Personal Protection Order, or No Contact Order. 
• When you are taking your child(ren) on vacation, you must give the other parent at least one month advance written notice, unless otherwise ordered. The other parent should be provided with an itinerary including your destination, inclusive dates of travel and a telephone number where you can be reached. 
• Parents exercising parenting time need to be certain homework is completed. 

 

Related:

• Elective Co-parenting
• Co-parneting with a narcissist
• Co-parenting with a toxic ex
• Parallel Parenting Plan
• Co-parenting Therapy
• Platonic Parenting
• Third-party Communication
• Digital Co-parenting
• Consistency in Co-parenting
• Co-parent Decision Making
• Co-parenting while in a Relationship

Warning:  This post is neither financial, health, legal, or personal advice nor a substitute for the advice offered by a professional. These are serious matters, and the help of a professional is recommended as it can impact your future.