Parenting plans—also known as custody agreements or custody and visitation agreements—are proposals submitted by parents for how issues involving children should be handled following a divorce or other proceeding in family court. The court will usually request the parents submit such a document proposing how conservatorship (decision-making), custody or possession, support, and other issues will be handled. The court may adopt some or all of these proposals and include them in the court’s order (divorce decree, child support and custody order), at which point the become legally enforceable.

In many states there is a standard possession order (SPO) that serves as the default terms for such matters, and as a useful starting point for parents who wish to modify it by agreement.

In Alabama, parenting plans are essential components of family law proceedings involving children. These plans outline how divorced or separated parents will share decision-making responsibilities (conservatorship), custody, visitation (possession), child support, and other child-related matters. Alabama courts encourage parents to collaborate on a parenting plan that serves the best interests of the child. If parents can agree on a plan, the court will typically review it to ensure it meets legal standards and the child's needs before incorporating it into a final order, such as a divorce decree or custody order, making it legally enforceable. In cases where parents cannot agree, the court will decide on these matters. While Alabama does not have a 'Standard Possession Order' like some other states, the state's child custody laws provide guidelines to establish a framework for custody and visitation schedules, which can be tailored to fit the specific circumstances of the family.