Pennsylvania · PA

Pennsylvania Parenting Plan Guide

What you need to file a parenting plan in Pennsylvania — 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 Pennsylvania family-law attorney before filing.

Standard term used

Custody Schedule

Parent education class

Not statewide required

Filing note

23 Pa.C.S. §5323 requires the court to state the reasons for its custody decision on the record.

Official state courts site

www.pacourts.us

What a Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania parenting plan template

Copy this outline into a document, fill in the specifics, and review with an attorney before filing with the Pennsylvania courts.

PENNSYLVANIA 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 (Custody 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 Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania 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.

Shared-time credit

Applies at roughly 146+ overnights per year for the lesser-time parent.

Self-support reserve

About $1,063/month of the paying parent's income is protected.

Pennsylvania works from monthly net income, applies a substantial-time reduction at 40% of overnights, and protects a self-support reserve.

Estimate Pennsylvania child support

Pennsylvania parenting plan FAQ

How is child support calculated in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania applies a shared-parenting adjustment once the lesser-time parent has at least about 146 overnights per year. Below that threshold the standard guideline amount usually applies in full.

Is there a minimum income protection in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania protects roughly $1,063 of the paying parent's monthly income as a self-support reserve before support is ordered.

Does a Pennsylvania parenting plan have to be in writing?

23 Pa.C.S. §5323 requires the court to state the reasons for its custody decision on the record. Courts in Pennsylvania expect the residential schedule (what the state calls a Custody Schedule), holiday rotation, exchange logistics, and a dispute-resolution step to be spelled out in writing.

Put your Pennsylvania 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 account

Other states

Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia

See all 50 states + DC

Next 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.

All free tools →Resource library →Printable templates →