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 Pennsylvania, parenting plans are crucial components of family law proceedings involving children. These plans outline how divorced or separated parents will share responsibilities and time with their children. The state encourages parents to work together to create a parenting plan that serves the best interests of the child. The plan typically addresses legal custody (decision-making authority) and physical custody (where the child will live), as well as visitation schedules, child support, and how future modifications will be handled. If parents can agree on a plan, the court will review it to ensure it meets the child's best interests before incorporating it into a final order, which can be a divorce decree or a custody order. If parents cannot agree, the court may establish the terms of custody and visitation, potentially using a standard possession order as a guideline. However, Pennsylvania does not have a 'standard possession order' by that name; instead, the court will consider several factors outlined in the state's statutes to determine an arrangement that best suits the child's needs.