Child Custody/Never Married

[Bowhenry]

What is the name of your state? Colorado

My ex-girlfriend and I were never married and have a 19 month old daughter. She has decided to move out. We are trying to settle on the best schedule to allow both of us to work as well as have equal time with our daughter.

Is it important to have our parenting plan in writing? Should we go to court to make the custody of our child official?

If one of us moves away, how would custody change? Would it simply be a case of writing a new parenting plan or would we have to go to court?

 

[VeronicaGia]

Your best option is to agree on a plan and have a judge give the plan his blessing. Realize that a piece of paper, whether it is notarized and signed by both of you or not, will not hold up in court. You may want to consider a move away clause too, such as "neither parent will move with the child more than 100 miles away from the other parent" or something that states if one parent moves with the child, that parent will be responsible for all costs associated with the child's visitation with the other parent.

An excellent website for fathers: www.deltabravo.net

There are sample parenting plans and many helpful links.