Child Support Agreement with Visitation Schedule Sample

Creating a comprehensive child support agreement with a visitation schedule is crucial for co-parents to ensure the well-being and stability of their children. 

This article provides a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process of writing a child support agreement that includes a visitation schedule. 


By following these steps, you can develop a fair and effective agreement that meets the needs of all parties involved.

Step 1: Establish Open Communication

The first step in creating a child support agreement with a visitation schedule is to establish open and honest communication between both parents. 

Arrange a meeting or choose a suitable platform to discuss the agreement. It’s essential to approach these discussions with a cooperative mindset, focusing on the best interests of the child.


Step 2: Determine Custody Arrangement

Decide on the custody arrangement that will work best for your family. Common options include joint physical custody (where the child spends significant time with both parents) or primary physical custody (where the child primarily resides with one parent, while the other has visitation rights).

Step 3: Identify Visitation Schedule Preferences

Discuss and outline each parent’s preferred visitation schedule. Consider the child’s school schedule, extracurricular activities, holidays, and special occasions. 

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Remain flexible and open to compromise to ensure the agreement is fair and realistic.

Step 4: Gather Relevant Information

Gather all necessary information to accurately calculate child support. This includes both parents’ income, expenses, and any relevant financial documentation. 

Additionally, take into account factors such as medical expenses, child care costs, and educational expenses.


Step 5: Research State Laws and Guidelines

Research the child support laws and guidelines specific to your state or jurisdiction. Understanding the legal framework will help ensure that your agreement complies with the local regulations. 

Familiarize yourself with any specific requirements, limitations, or formulas that may influence the child support calculations.

Step 6: Determine Child Support Amount

Using the information gathered in step 4 and the state-specific guidelines, calculate the child support amount. 

Many jurisdictions provide online calculators or worksheets to simplify this process. If needed, consult with a legal professional or mediator to ensure accurate calculations.

Step 7: Address Extraordinary Expenses

Discuss and determine how to handle extraordinary expenses, such as medical costs not covered by insurance, educational expenses, or extracurricular activities. 

Clearly define how these expenses will be shared or allocated between both parents.

Step 8: Create a Visitation Schedule

Based on the discussions in step 3, create a detailed visitation schedule that outlines when and where the child will spend time with each parent. 

Consider weekdays, weekends, vacations, and holidays. Aim for a schedule that provides consistency and allows both parents to maintain a meaningful relationship with the child.

Step 9: Document the Agreement

Put the agreed-upon terms into writing to create a formal child support agreement. Include the child’s full name, date of birth, and both parents’ complete names and addresses. 

Clearly outline the child support amount, payment schedule, and any extraordinary expenses. Attach the visitation schedule as an appendix to the agreement.

Step 10: Seek Legal Review

While not mandatory, it is advisable to have the child support agreement reviewed by a family law attorney to ensure its legality and enforceability. This step can provide peace of mind and address any potential legal concerns.

Step 11: Sign and Notarize the Agreement

Once both parents are satisfied with the terms, sign the child support agreement in the presence of a notary public. 

This adds an extra layer of authenticity and ensures the document’s validity. Make copies for each parent to retain.

Step 12: Submit the Agreement to the Court

Depending on your jurisdiction, it may be necessary to submit the child support agreement to the court for approval. 

Research local requirements to determine if this step is necessary. Even if it’s not mandatory, filing the agreement can provide an additional layer of legal protection.

Here is a sample child support agreement with a visitation schedule:

CHILD SUPPORT AGREEMENT WITH VISITATION SCHEDULE

This Agreement is made and entered into on [DATE] by and between [NAME OF PARENT A] and [NAME OF PARENT B] (hereafter referred to as “the Parties”).

BACKGROUND

The Parties are the parents of [CHILD/REN NAME(S)] (hereafter referred to as “the Child(ren)”). The Parties desire to enter into an agreement regarding child support and visitation for the Child(ren).

AGREEMENT

Child Support: The Parties agree that Parent A shall pay child support in the amount of [AMOUNT] per month, beginning on [DATE], until the Child(ren) reach the age of [AGE], or until further order of the court.

Payment of Child Support: Parent A shall make child support payments to Parent B by the [DAY] of each month. The payments shall be made by [PAYMENT METHOD].

Extraordinary Expenses: The Parties shall share equally in any extraordinary expenses for the Child(ren), including but not limited to medical, dental, and educational expenses.

Visitation Schedule: The Parties shall adhere to the following visitation schedule:

Every other weekend from [TIME] on [DAY] until [TIME] on [DAY].
One weekday visit per week from [TIME] until [TIME].
Alternating major holidays, including but not limited to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
[NAME OF PARENT A] shall have the Child(ren) for [NUMBER] weeks during the summer. The exact dates shall be agreed upon by the Parties no later than [DATE].

Transportation: The Parties shall be responsible for their own transportation for visitation.

Communication: The Parties shall keep each other informed of any significant events or changes in the Child(ren)’s lives.

Modification: This Agreement may be modified only by written agreement signed by both Parties.

Termination: This Agreement shall terminate upon the emancipation of the Child(ren) or upon further order of the court.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the date first above written.

[NAME OF PARENT A]

[NAME OF PARENT B]