Significance

• In most states known as a "custody agreement," in West Virginia a "parenting plan" is the law that both the custodial parent and noncustodial parent must live by.
  
  

Function

• In a parenting plan, the court not only sets out the schedule that the child follows, but also names the parent with full custody and places limits on the noncustodial parent.
  
  

Features

• The parent with full custody or the custodial parent becomes the child's caretaker. The court usually gives the custodial parent primary decision-making abilities over the child.
  
  

Considerations

• The custodial parent is not exempt from scrutiny. If there is evidence of inappropriate behavior regarding this parent, the courts can review and restructure the parenting plan.
  
  

Warning

• Not all parenting plans and custodial arrangements are alike. A parent could have full custody but the noncustodial parents get visitation. This parent may also have a small role in decision making on the child's behalf. Review your parenting plan to see what rights you have as the parent with full custody.