Parenting Plans Sophisticated Advisors. Staunch Advocates.

Parenting Plans in Stamford, CT

Negotiating & Drafting Court-Ready Custody Agreements

A parenting plan is a written agreement addressing two core questions: who makes decisions for the child (legal custody and decision-making authority) and where the child lives and when (the parenting schedule for physical custody). Getting both right matters as much as getting the document approved. At Siegel, Colin, & Kaufman, we help parents in Stamford, Westport, and throughout Fairfield County build plans that hold up in court and work in practice.

Our attorneys bring over 150 years of combined trial and negotiation experience in divorce and family law, including custody, support, and asset division. We also handle mediation, arbitration, and collaborative divorce, which means we can guide parents toward a negotiated plan when agreement is possible and advocate in the Connecticut Superior Court Family Division when it isn’t.

Talk with our attorneys about your parenting plan today. Call us at (203) 599-3413 to schedule a confidential consultation by phone, at our office, or virtually.

A Former Superior Court Judge on What Connecticut Courts Expect

Our team includes a former Connecticut Superior Court Judge who presided over complex family matters, including custody disputes, in the Stamford/Norwalk Judicial District. That perspective shapes how we approach every parenting plan we handle. We understand what judges look for before approving a plan, where vague language creates problems at the enforcement stage, and how a well-drafted agreement can help reduce future courtroom disputes.

We combine that judicial insight with training in mediation, arbitration, and collaborative divorce. Many custody matters don’t require a trial. When parents can negotiate, we help them reach a durable agreement. When they can’t, we litigate. We also regularly represent high-profile individuals in sensitive custody matters, handling each case with the discretion it requires.

Connecticut Law & Parenting Plans

Under Connecticut General Statutes §46b-56a, parents seeking joint custody must propose a parental responsibility plan. The statute creates a presumption that joint custody serves a child’s best interests when both parents agree to it. If one parent holds sole legal custody, a formal plan isn’t required by statute, but the arrangement still needs to be spelled out clearly in any court order.

All custody and parenting orders in Connecticut are evaluated under the best-interests-of-the-child standard in C.G.S. §46b-56, which directs the court to weigh a statutory list of factors specific to each child’s situation. Even when parents have reached full agreement, a judge or magistrate must hold a hearing to confirm that both parents understand the terms and that the plan is fair, reasonable, and in the child’s best interest before it becomes a court order.

Parenting Education Program

In Connecticut family matters involving a minor child, parents are generally ordered to complete a parenting education program within 60 days of the case’s return date, unless the court excuses the requirement. Non-compliance can affect how the court views a parent’s cooperation.

Modifying or Enforcing an Existing Plan

Circumstances change, and Connecticut courts recognize that. A parenting plan or custody order can be modified, but you’ll generally need to demonstrate a material change in circumstances since the prior order was entered. Courts don’t revisit custody arrangements without a real basis for doing so.

Relocation adds another layer of complexity. Connecticut law requires a parent to notify the other parent and the court in advance of any move that would affect parenting time. The court then weighs specific statutory factors before deciding whether to permit the move. A parent who willfully disregards a court-ordered parenting plan can be held in contempt of court, which can carry legal consequences.

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Trusted Guidance in Divorce and Family Law

Client-Centered
We take the time to understand each client’s unique needs and goals, offering personalized guidance and support through every stage of the process.
Discretion
We regularly represent high-profile individuals, handling sensitive matters with the utmost privacy, professionalism, and care.

Reputation
Respected by peers and recognized nationally, we are the firm other attorneys turn to for advice, referrals, and trusted representation.
Experience
With decades of family law practice and the insight of a former Connecticut Superior Court Judge, our team brings unmatched knowledge to even the most complex cases.

Our Parenting Plan Services

We assist parents at every stage of the process. Whether you’re negotiating an initial agreement during a divorce or returning to court to modify terms that no longer fit your family’s situation, we can help you move forward with a clear plan.

Negotiated & Mediated Plans: We work with parents to reach custody and parenting agreements outside of court. A carefully drafted, negotiated plan can be submitted for judicial approval and become a binding court order without contested litigation.
Contested Custody Litigation: When agreement isn’t possible, we advocate for your parenting rights in the Connecticut Superior Court Family Division and are prepared to take contested matters to trial.
Post-Judgment Modifications: We assist clients seeking to modify an existing custody or parenting schedule when a material change in circumstances justifies a new arrangement.
Enforcement: If the other parent isn’t following the terms of an approved plan, we can help you pursue enforcement, including contempt proceedings.

Schedule a Confidential Consultation

Whether you’re building a parenting plan for the first time or dealing with a dispute over an existing one, our attorneys are ready to help. We offer phone, office, and virtual consultations, and conversations with us are confidential.

Call (203) 599-3413 to reach our team at Siegel, Colin, & Kaufman and schedule your consultation.

When You Need a Parenting Plan in Connecticut

A parenting plan may be required or advisable in several situations. Understanding where your matter fits helps clarify what the process ahead looks like.

Divorce or Dissolution of Marriage: Any divorce involving children requires custody and parenting terms to be resolved, either through a negotiated agreement or a court order.
Legal Separation: Parents pursuing a legal separation rather than divorce still need to establish formal custody and parenting arrangements.
Unmarried Parents: Unmarried parents seeking an initial custody determination must establish legal and physical custody through the court.
Post-Judgment Modification: An existing custody order can be revisited when circumstances have materially changed since it was entered.

What a Comprehensive Parenting Plan Covers

A thorough parenting plan does more than divide time on a calendar. The details in the document determine how smoothly it functions over the years, and gaps in any of these areas tend to become disputes later.

Decision-Making Authority: How legal custody is shared or allocated, including which parent decides on education, healthcare, and religious upbringing.
Residential Schedule: The day-to-day and week-to-week schedule for where the child lives, including school nights, weekends, and regular transitions.
Holidays & Vacations: Specific allocations for major holidays, school breaks, and each parent’s vacation time with the child.
Transportation & Exchanges: Where and how custody exchanges happen, and which parent is responsible for transportation.
Co-Parent Communication: How parents communicate about the child’s needs, schedules, and any significant developments.

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