Joint custody agreements usually contain certain provisions depending on the needs of the situation. When parents in Oklahoma decide—or are ordered—to share custody of their children, the court often requires them to enter into a Joint Custody Plan. This written agreement outlines how the parents will share decision-making responsibilities and parenting time. A clear, well-structured joint custody agreement can reduce future disputes and provide stability for the child.
Legal and Physical Custody Definition
Oklahoma recognizes two components of custody: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody involves decision-making authority on major issues like education, medical care, and religion, while physical custody refers to the child’s living arrangements and the division of time between parents.
Joint custody doesn’t mean equal time, but it does mean both parents share the rights and responsibilities of raising the child. The custody plan must clearly define how these duties are divided or shared.
Common Provisions in Joint Custody Plans
Although every family situation is different, most Oklahoma joint custody agreements include the following provisions:
1. Parenting Time Schedule
The agreement outlines when the child will be with each parent, including regular weekdays, weekends, holidays, school breaks, and summer vacation. Schedules can vary depending on the child’s age, the parents’ work schedules, and how close the parents live to each other.
2. Decision-Making Authority
Joint custody plans often specify how parents will make decisions on key issues like school choice, medical care, extracurricular activities, and religious upbringing. Some agreements require both parents to agree before taking action, while others divide responsibility by topic.
3. Communication Guidelines
Most plans include rules for how parents will communicate about the child, such as using text, email, or co-parenting apps. The agreement may also include expectations for discussing important issues and sharing updates.
4. Transportation and Exchanges
To avoid conflict, the custody agreement typically sets out how and where custody exchanges will take place and who is responsible for transportation. Some parents split the responsibility, while others agree to meet at a neutral location.
5. Relocation Terms
Under Oklahoma law, a parent who wants to move more than 75 miles away must give the other parent notice. Joint custody plans may address relocation and include procedures for modifying the plan if one parent moves.
6. Dispute Resolution Process
Custody agreements often include a method for resolving disagreements without going back to court—such as mediation or consultation with a parenting coordinator. This helps reduce legal costs and keep conflict to a minimum.
Modifying a Joint Custody Agreement
As children grow and family circumstances change, joint custody agreements may need to be updated. Either parent can request a modification, but they must show a material change in circumstances and that the change is in the child’s best interests.
Common reasons for modification include changes in work schedules, a child’s needs, a parent’s relocation, or repeated violations of the existing agreement.
Wagoner Child Custody Attorneys
Creating or modifying a joint custody plan can be emotional and complex. A well-drafted agreement protects your rights as a parent while keeping your child’s best interests at the center. At Kania Law – Wagoner County attorneys’ law office, we guide clients through every step of the custody process and advocate for what’s best for the child. For a Free consultation with Kania Law Office – Wagoner Attorneys, call us at 918-283-7394. Or if you would like to ask a lawyer an online legal question, follow this link.
