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This guide uses the parenting language that the BC Family Law Act uses. See Parenting apart for a list of the words we use and what they mean.

Your basic information

Type in the same short names for you, the other person, and your children that you used in the Introductory clauses. They will then appear below in place of Party 1, Party 2, or Name.

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Start this section of your separation agreement with some general guidelines that you and the other parent both agree to follow when you deal with your children. These guidelines set the tone for your agreement and show that you intend to cooperate with each other.

Include all the clauses that apply.

You can type your own statements in clauses 9 – 12 and include them as necessary.

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When parents separate, they both continue to be their children's guardians. That can only change if you have a written agreement or court order that says otherwise. See Parenting apart for more information.

Include one of clause 13 or 14.

• For clause 14, click the name of the parent who will be sole guardian of your children. The field updates with the parent's name.

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Generally, when both parents live together, you're both guardians. And you're both responsible for making decisions about your children.

After you separate, you both continue to be guardians unless you agree or a court orders states otherwise. So you need to decide how you'll make major decisions about your children. Under BC law, these decisions are called parental responsibilities. They include decisions about things like:

• religious upbringing,
• medical treatment, and
• where the children will go to school.

You and the other parent might agree to:

• make these decisions together,
• have them made by one parent only, or
• divide the decisions between you.

Usually, day-to-day and emergency decisions are made by the parent who's with the children at the time the decision must be made.

See Parenting apart for more information.

It's also a good idea to include some clauses about how you'll resolve any disagreements that come up. This can include mediation, collaborative family law, or a parenting coordinator.

Include all the clauses that apply.

• For clauses 15 – 28, click one parent’s name or Both parties to update the field.
• If you include clause 30, include at least one of clauses 31 – 34.
• For clause 34, type in any other ways you and the other person will resolve differences of opinion.

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The time that children spend with guardians is called parenting time. The time children spend with non-guardians (who could be parents or others) is called contact. See Parenting apart for more information.

The parenting schedule that you agree to must be based on what's best for your children. It's also important to think about practical issues that might affect the schedule, including

• your work schedules,
• transportation, and
• how far you live from the other parent.

Sometimes agreements or orders use language like "reasonable" or "generous" time with a child. This leaves it up to the parents to decide the parenting schedule on a day-to-day basis. This might work well in some cases, but cause disputes and conflict in others. It's clearer for everybody if you set out a detailed schedule. But, if things change and the schedule doesn't work anymore, you'll need to change your agreement or order.

Consider which approach will work best for your family. Remember that you might need to be flexible with the schedule at times, to meet your children's needs.

We include some options for parenting schedules. More options are covered in the CLEBC Manual.

Regular parenting schedule — Instructions

We provide three options for parenting schedules. These are just our suggestions. You might have your own schedule that works better for your family.

• alternating weeks
• a rotation, where the children spend two consecutive days with each parent, then five consecutive days with each parent
• a two-week rotation, where the children spend two consecutive days with one parent, then two consecutive days with the other parent, and then three consecutive days with the first parent

Include all the clauses that apply.

• For clauses 36 and 37, click the name of the parent the first statement applies to. The field will update with both names in the rotation.
• For clause 39, click the name of the person the children will primarily live with. The field will update automatically with your names.
• For clauses 40 – 46, type in the times for each day when the children will be with the other person.
• For clauses 47 – 49, type in any other ways in which you and the other person will set out a regular parenting schedule.
• To reduce confusion, type times of day using numerals, not words. Use "am" and "pm" or use 24-hour time. (For example, use 4 pm or 1600 hours, not four pm or four o'clock).

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Usually each parent is responsible for picking up and dropping off the children during their parenting time. Sometimes a parent might need to have someone else pick up or drop off the children. Usually, this won't cause problems and other arrangements can be made. But if one of you has concerns about who picks up and drops off your children, it's a good idea to discuss this issue and decide how you'll handle it.

Include one of clauses 50 and 51.

• For clause 51, type in the names of the people who may pick up or drop off your children.

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It's important to set out how the regular schedule will change when there's a holiday or special day. It's a good idea to ask your children how they'd like to celebrate holidays or special days. There are many options for how you organize your parenting on those days, including:

• according to the regular schedule, or
• in alternating years, or
• split half and half.

Here are some holidays and special days you might want to include:

• Children's birthdays
• Parents' birthdays
• Mother's Day
• Father's Day
• Summer holidays
• Spring break
• Christmas holidays
• Thanksgiving
• Halloween
• Easter weekend
• Victoria Day weekend

Include as many of clauses 52 – 67 as you need.

• Type in the event, the event's start and end dates, and the details of the arrangement.

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Consider including some of the following clauses if your children might travel with only one parent, or without either parent (such as for school trips).