How to Make a Parenting Plan in Connecticut

If you're divorcing or separating in Connecticut with minor children, you are required to submit a parenting plan to the court. Under C.G.S. § 46b-56a(d), this plan must be filed on or before your scheduled case management date — typically the Resolution Plan Date (RPD), which is set 30 to 45 days after your Return Date.

The problem is that the official form — JD-FM-199, Proposed Parental Responsibility Plan — fits on a single page. It provides empty boxes and no instructions, no examples, and no guidance on how to write enforceable, judge-ready language.

Here's what actually needs to go into your plan and how to structure it.

The Two Forms

If you and your co-parent agree on custody terms, you submit a joint Custody/Visitation Agreement (JD-FM-183). If you disagree, each parent submits their own Proposed Parental Responsibility Plan (JD-FM-199).

The joint agreement carries more weight at the RPD. If the Family Relations Counselor sees a complete JD-FM-183, the case is likely assigned to Track A — the fastest path to finalization. Under Public Act 23-46, uncontested cases can finalize as early as two days after the Return Date.

Five Mandatory Components

Connecticut law requires every parenting plan to address five areas. A plan that skips any of them will not be approved.

1. Physical residential schedule. This is the backbone of the plan. Specify the weekly schedule with exact days and transition times. "The child shall be with Parent A from Monday at 8:00 a.m. through Wednesday at 8:00 a.m." is enforceable. "The parents will share time equally" is not.

2. Decision-making allocation. Define who has authority over medical care, education, and religious upbringing. If you're proposing joint legal custody, state whether one parent holds final decision-making authority and, if so, for which categories.

3. Dispute resolution mechanism. The plan must include a clear sequence for resolving future disagreements — typically mediation first, then a return to court. Under C.G.S. § 46b-56a(d)(3), parents must define this method before they can file post-judgment motions to modify.

4. Consequences for non-compliance. What happens if a parent fails to show up for a transition or blocks communication? The plan should reference makeup time provisions and the process for filing an enforcement motion.

5. Developmental adaptability. The plan must describe how the schedule will adjust as the child ages. A 2-2-3 rotation appropriate for a toddler may need to shift to alternating weeks when the child reaches middle school.

Writing Enforceable Language

Vague plans create enforcement problems. Connecticut judges look for specificity in three areas:

Transitions: Name the location (school, a parent's residence, a neutral public location), the responsible parent for transportation, and what happens if a parent is more than 30 minutes late.

Communication: Define how co-parents communicate (text, email, OurFamilyWizard, TalkingParents) and how the child communicates with the non-residential parent during the other parent's time. In high-conflict cases, courts frequently order that all communication go through a monitored platform.

Holidays and vacations: The holiday schedule must state that it overrides the regular weekly schedule. Specify exact pickup and drop-off times for each major holiday. Set a deadline (May 1 is common) for each parent to submit their summer vacation weeks in writing.

Common Mistakes That Delay Approval

Using "reasonable visitation" instead of a defined schedule. Courts reject this language because it's unenforceable — it invites the exact disputes a parenting plan is supposed to prevent.

Forgetting the relocation clause. Under C.G.S. § 46b-56d, a parent who wants to move with the child must prove the move serves a legitimate purpose and is in the child's best interests. Your plan should require 90 days' written notice of any proposed relocation, including the new address and school district.

Omitting the right of first refusal. If one parent is unavailable during their scheduled time, the other parent gets priority over a babysitter or relative. This is not legally required, but judges view it favorably and it reduces conflict.

Getting It Right the First Time

The Connecticut Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide includes a five-section drafting template that mirrors JD-FM-199, pre-written clauses for holiday rotations and communication rules, and a residential schedule worksheet that calculates your overnight percentage against the 35% shared-custody threshold.

See more Connecticut guides →