Yes, a good parenting plan will not only reduce conflict between the parents, but can also avoid unnecessary legal costs. The goal is to strike the right balance of being comprehensive but not so inflexible to create more disagreements. A good agreement should be easy to understand and follow, and needs to include enough flexibility and forward planning to address the different issues and needs that arise as your children get older.

Can parents create their own plan without a lawyer?

Sure, but parties need to be careful that it adheres to Part Four of the Family Law act or it may not be binding. Family law lawyers often spend large amounts of time unraveling disputes that come from unenforceable or inappropriate parenting agreements. By investing some money upfront with a lawyer on a properly drafted an enforceable document you can potentially save a fortune in legal costs later.