New York · NY
New York Parenting Plan Guide
What you need to file a parenting plan in New York — the state's terminology, required forms, education requirements, and a free template to build from.
Informational only. This is not legal advice. Confirm every requirement with a New York family-law attorney before filing.
What a New York parenting plan should cover
- Legal custody: who makes decisions about school, healthcare, and religion.
- Physical custody: the residential schedule for weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
- A specific weekly or two-week custody schedule (2-2-3, 2-2-5-5, week-on/off, etc.).
- Holiday and school-break rotation, usually alternating odd/even years.
- Transportation and exchange rules — who drives, where, and at what time.
- Communication rules between parents and between each parent and the child.
- How future disputes will be handled (mediation, parenting coordinator, or court).
A simple New York parenting plan template
Copy this outline into a document, fill in the specifics, and review with an attorney before filing with the New York courts.
NEW YORK PARENTING PLAN
1. PARTIES
Parent A: __________________________
Parent B: __________________________
Child(ren):
Name / DOB: ______________________
2. LEGAL DECISION-MAKING
[ ] Joint [ ] Sole (Parent A) [ ] Sole (Parent B)
Notes: ____________________________
3. RESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE (Visitation Schedule)
Regular schedule (specify pattern):
____________________________________
Start date of cycle: _______________
4. HOLIDAYS & SCHOOL BREAKS
Alternating odd/even years:
Thanksgiving: A odd / B even
Winter break: ______________
Spring break: ______________
Summer: ______________
Birthdays: ______________
5. EXCHANGES
Location: __________________________
Time: ______________________________
Transportation responsibility: _____
6. COMMUNICATION
Between parents: [ ] app [ ] email [ ] text
Parent-child while at other home:
Frequency: ______ Method: ______
7. DECISION FRAMEWORK FOR DISPUTES
Step 1: Direct discussion (written)
Step 2: Mediation
Step 3: Court
8. SIGNATURES
Parent A: _______________ Date: ___
Parent B: _______________ Date: ___Child support in New York
New York uses the Income Shares model: both parents' incomes are combined, the state's schedule sets the total support the children would have received in an intact household, and each parent owes their percentage share of it. The worksheet starts from net monthly income.
CSSA applies 17/25/29/31/35% of combined income (after FICA) up to the statutory cap, currently $190,000/yr, split pro rata. New York has no automatic shared-custody discount.
New York parenting plan FAQ
How is child support calculated in New York?
New York uses the Income Shares model, which means both parents' incomes are combined, the state's schedule sets the total support the children would have received in an intact household, and each parent owes their percentage share of it. The worksheet starts from net monthly income. At typical middle incomes the guideline devotes roughly 17% of the relevant income to one child and about 25% to two children.
Does parenting time reduce child support in New York?
New York has no automatic overnight credit built into its guideline. A judge can deviate from the guideline for substantially shared time, but it is discretionary rather than formulaic.
Is there a minimum income protection in New York?
Yes. New York protects roughly $1,300 of the paying parent's monthly income as a self-support reserve before support is ordered.
Does a New York parenting plan have to be in writing?
Custody cases can be filed in either Family Court or Supreme Court. Courts in New York expect the residential schedule (what the state calls a Visitation Schedule), holiday rotation, exchange logistics, and a dispute-resolution step to be spelled out in writing.
Put your New York parenting plan into practice
CustodyTrac keeps both parents on the same custody calendar, logs every exchange and message, and produces court-ready PDFs — free forever.
Create your free accountNext steps after your state's rules
Estimate support under this state's guideline, pick a schedule, and keep the record your court will ask for.
- Parenting plan guides by state
Filing venue, required classes, and the terminology each state's courts use.
- State-by-state child support estimator
Applies your state's own guideline model to your numbers.
- Custody schedule patterns explained
2-2-3, 2-2-5-5, week-on/week-off, and every other common rotation.
- Custody and family law glossary
Plain-English definitions of the terms in your order.
- Court-ready PDF legal exports
One-click evidence packets for your attorney or a hearing — unlimited and free.
- Free co-parenting app for both parents
Shared calendar, messaging, expenses, and court-ready exports at no cost to either household.
Draft your plan with free tools
Everything below is free, printable, and court-ready in format.
Free Templates
Printable and CSV templates: parenting plan, expense log, communication log, holiday worksheet, handoff sheet.
OpenSchedule Generator
Pick a schedule (2-2-3, 2-2-5-5, week-on/off…), a start date, and get a printable 12-month calendar in seconds.
OpenHoliday Planner
Choose holidays and a rotation style, then get a printable three-year holiday grid both parents can agree to.
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