The Tennessee Proposed Parenting Plan is a legal document used in custody cases to outline the parenting arrangement for a child following a divorce or separation. This plan specifies the responsibilities and rights of each parent regarding the child's residential schedule, decision-making processes, and transportation arrangements. It aims to ensure that both parents have a clear understanding of their roles and the best interests of the child are prioritized.
To fill out the Tennessee Proposed Parenting Plan, follow these steps:
Make sure all parties review the plan before submission to ensure agreement on the outlined terms.
This form is intended for parents in Tennessee who are involved in custody disputes or separations. It is specifically designed for those who wish to create a structured plan that governs the parenting time and responsibilities over their child or children. If you are separating from your partner and need to establish legal custody arrangements, this form is suitable for you.
The Tennessee Proposed Parenting Plan consists of several key components that ensure clarity and mutual understanding:
These components work together to create a comprehensive plan that serves the best interests of the child.
In Tennessee, the Proposed Parenting Plan must comply with specific state guidelines. It should include appropriate details as outlined in Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) § 36-6-101, which governs parenting plans. These requirements include providing a detailed schedule for visitation, making clear provisions for decision-making responsibilities, and outlining parental rights. Furthermore, both parents must sign the plan in the presence of a notary public if it's proposed by one party or agreed upon by both.
When completing the Tennessee Proposed Parenting Plan, be mindful to avoid common errors such as:
By carefully reviewing the plan and ensuring all sections are filled out accurately, you can prevent disputes in the future.
When finalizing the Tennessee Proposed Parenting Plan, notarization is a critical step if the plan is proposed by one parent. During this process:
Witnessing is often not required but can provide additional assurance of the agreement's validity.
Divorcing parents must each submit a proposed plan. This is optional in other types of custody cases (unless the judge orders it), but recommended so the judge understands your wishes when deciding the details of your court-ordered plan.
Under Tennessee law, the parents must follow the PPP, and if they do not, they can be held in contempt of court. Some serious PPP violations that might warrant getting the court involved include: Frequent noncompliance with visitation changes. A chronic pattern of picking up or returning the children early or late.
Whenever each parent cares for and houses their child 50 percent of the time, an equal parenting agreement is in place. Under equal parenting agreements, or 50/50 custody, parenting time is divided between the two parents ing to the parenting plan, and residential time itself is equally distributed.
When can my child decide which parent to live with? Under Tennessee statute, the court shall consider the reasonable preference of the child over the age of 12. The court may choose to hear the preference of a child under the age of 12.
Tennessee child custody laws allow for joint custody and grandparents' visitation rights while taking into account the child's own wishes when considering custody decisions. In fact, Tennessee courts are required to state, in writing, why ordering joint or sole legal custody is in the best interest of the child.
Parents who can reach an agreement on custody can submit a joint parenting plan to the court. When parents can't agree on parenting responsibilities, each parent should submit his or her own parenting plan to the court at least 45 days before trial. See TN Code § 36-6-404 (2020).
Only a Tennessee court can legally modify and enforce a parenting plan.