Do You Need a Lawyer for a Parenting Plan?

When you're separating, how much legal help do you need?

If you're going through a separation or divorce with children involved, one of the most urgent and emotional tasks is determining your parenting plan. Who gets the kids when? How will holidays work? What if one of you moves?

Traditionally, you'd hire a lawyer for a parenting plan. And in some cases, you absolutely should, especially when there are safety concerns, complex assets, or high conflict. But many families are discovering that they can create a solid, court-ready parenting plan without immediately calling an attorney.

Here’s what you need to know before lawyering up.

1. Most states encourage parents to agree outside of court

Family courts prefer when parents work together on their parenting plan. Judges want to see cooperation, and a clear, detailed plan about how you’ll handle things like custody schedules, decision-making, and communication.

That means your first step doesn’t have to be hiring a lawyer. You might start with a parenting plan template or tool that helps you sort through the major decisions. Once you have a draft, you can then decide if you need a legal review.

2. A parenting plan builder can help you avoid common pitfalls

Goat Answer’s new Parenting Plan Builder walks you through the same questions a lawyer would ask: What kind of joint custody setup works for your family? What’s your weekly custody schedule? How will you handle birthdays, vacations, and unexpected changes?

It also considers your state’s general norms for custody arrangements and provides a light overview of how child support typically works.

This helps you build a customized parenting plan you can bring to mediation, present in court, or use as a foundation for legal review. It’s designed to save you time, money, and stress.

For example, this guide walks you through creating a custody plan based on your real-life work schedule, ensuring you don’t overcommit or underprepare.

3. You may only need a lawyer to review, not write, the plan

Once you’ve drafted your plan, having a lawyer review it can be a smart move. They can ensure your plan is legally sound, enforceable, and aligned with your state’s requirements.

However, by doing the initial work yourself, with the help of tools like the Parenting Plan Builder, you can significantly reduce your legal fees. You're paying for targeted expertise, not hourly brainstorming.

4. Mediation is often faster and cheaper than litigation

If you and your co-parent aren’t yet aligned, mediation may be a helpful next step. Mediators often work from the parenting plan you draft yourself. They help you resolve lingering disagreements and fine-tune the agreement.

The key? Come prepared. Bring a draft plan, clarity around your priorities, and a willingness to collaborate.

Final Thought: DIY first, then get support where needed

Creating a parenting plan is a deeply personal process. While a lawyer can offer critical guidance, you don’t always need one from day one. Please start with the right tools, educate yourself on your options, and seek professional help where it adds the most value.

Already drafting your plan? You’ll want to review this checklist of must-have details for high-conflict parenting plans before finalizing anything.

Ready to create a parenting plan that fits your family? Try the Parenting Plan Builder to get started today.