Parenting Plans (Custody and Access)
Parenting arrangements are one of the most emotionally important issues during a separation. TM Law Professional Corporation brings over 16 years of experience assisting parents in Brampton and surrounding areas to create structured, child-focused parenting plans that support stability, clarity, and long-term well-being. Our approach prioritizes the Best Interests of the Child while guiding parents through their legal rights and responsibilities under Ontario law.
Parenting plans help reduce conflict, create predictable routines, and ensure both parents understand how responsibilities will be shared after separation.
What is a Parenting Plan?
A parenting plan is a written agreement that outlines how parents will share time with their child and make important decisions after separation. Parenting plans can be simple or detailed, depending on the family’s needs, and often form part of a separation agreement.
A complete parenting plan may address:
- Parenting schedules (weekly, monthly, holiday routines)
- Where exchanges take place and how transitions occur
- How decisions about health, education, and activities are made
- Expectations around communication
- Guidelines for travel or relocation
- Emergency procedures
- Any special needs of the child
In Ontario, parenting plan development is strongly influenced by resources prepared by family justice professionals, including the AFCC-O Parenting Plan Guide and Template. Justice Canada also provides detailed tools and checklists designed to help separated parents create arrangements that put the child’s well-being first. These guidelines emphasize clarity, structure, and a child-centered approach—principles that guide our work as well.
Parenting Time and Decision-making Responsibility
While many parents still refer to “custody” and “access,” Ontario law now uses:
- Parenting Time
- Decision-Making Responsibility
Parenting time refers to when the child is physically with each parent. This includes daily care, routines, and communication. Decision-making responsibility refers to who makes major decisions in areas such as:
- Health and medical treatment
- Education and learning needs
- Religious or cultural upbringing
- Extracurricular involvement
- Major life choices
Parents may share decision-making responsibility jointly, or one parent may take primary responsibility, depending on what is in the child’s best interests.
The Best Interests Of The Child
Every parenting decision in Ontario is guided by the Best Interests of the Child. Courts generally consider:
- The child’s need for stability and routine
- The child’s relationship with each parent
- Each parent’s involvement in caregiving
- The child’s emotional, physical, and developmental needs
- Each parent’s ability to communicate and cooperate
- The child’s views (depending on age and maturity)
- Any risk of harm or safety concerns
Parenting plans must reflect what meets the child’s needs—not parental preferences.
The Status Quo Principle
Status Quo refers to the existing parenting arrangement the child has been accustomed to before legal proceedings begin. Courts often give weight to this because continuing a familiar pattern may provide stability.
However, Status Quo is not automatically decisive. If one parent can show that a different arrangement better meets the child’s needs, courts can approve changes. Our role is to help parents understand how Status Quo applies to their case and how to build a strong justification for adjustments where necessary.
Common Parenting Time Arrangements
There is no single parenting schedule that fits all families. Arrangements depend on the child’s age, routine, school location, and the parents’ ability to cooperate. Common structures include:
Primary Residence with Parenting Time for the Other Parent
One parent provides most day-to-day care, while the other parent has scheduled parenting time (often weekends or selected weekdays). Holidays and special occasions are usually alternated.
Shared Parenting (Approx. 50/50)
Parents share time relatively equally. Common patterns include alternating weeks or a consistently rotating schedule. These arrangements work best when parents live close to each other and can coordinate routines smoothly.
Modified Splits (60/40 or similar)
Sometimes parents share substantial time, but not equally—for example, one parent handles school days, and the other handles extended weekends.
Supervised or Limited Parenting Time
In cases involving safety concerns, very young children, or specific issues, parenting time may be supervised or limited temporarily, with a plan to transition to unsupervised time where appropriate.
Each arrangement must reflect the child’s needs and daily realities.
Creating A Detailed Parenting Plan
A strong parenting plan provides clarity and reduces conflict. It may include:
- How decisions will be made jointly or individually
- Expectations around extracurricular activities
- Guidelines for communication between parents
- Methods for resolving disagreements
- Travel permissions and notice requirements
- Rules around introducing new partners
- Requirements for maintaining routines
A well-drafted parenting plan supports consistency and protects the child from unnecessary conflict between parents.
Our Approach To Parenting Matters
We guide parents through a structured process to help them reach meaningful and enforceable parenting arrangements.
Step One: Consultation
We review your situation, explain how Ontario law applies, and help you understand how the Best Interests of the Child guide decision-making.
Step Two: Drafting a Parenting Proposal
We prepare a detailed parenting proposal supported by legislation, relevant case law, and best practices drawn from AFCC-O and Justice Canada materials.
Step Three: Serving and Negotiating
Once drafted, the proposal is shared with the other parent or their lawyer. We negotiate to reach an agreement that avoids conflict while protecting your parental rights.
Step Four: Filing the Agreement
Once finalized, the agreement can be filed with the court, at which point it becomes legally enforceable and provides long-term security for both parents and the child.
Why Parents Trust Our Firm
Parents rely on our firm because we provide:
- Clear, supportive guidance
- Strong understanding of Ontario parenting laws
- Practical, child-focused solutions
- Skilled negotiation
- Consistent communication
- A commitment to protecting the child’s well-being
Our goal is to help you build a parenting structure that supports stability, reduces conflict, and allows your child to thrive.
Contact Us
If you need help creating a parenting plan, negotiating changes to an existing arrangement, or resolving concerns about parenting time or decision-making, our team is here to support you. Contact us to schedule a consultation and receive reliable guidance tailored to your child’s needs.
Get Free Consulation for your case
Get free consultation from our experts before forwarding in your case. we will give you a detailed case evaluation and legal advice related to your case. We are committed to deliver the most effective representation, support and guidance through the whole process.