Rhode Island Parenting Plan
A Rhode Island parenting plan sets out custody, visitation, and the schedule two parents ask the Family Court to approve under the best interests of the child standard. Attorney review available.
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Introduction
A parenting plan is a written arrangement in which two parents describe custody, visitation, and the schedule for their children, whether they are divorcing, were never married, or are asking the Family Court to change an existing order. In Rhode Island the Family Court decides custody by the best interests of the child. Unlike some states, Rhode Island's statute does not split custody into separate defined terms for legal and physical custody; parents commonly describe both the decision-making arrangement and where the child lives inside one plan. Rhode Island law directs the court to provide for the reasonable right of visitation by the parent who does not have custody, unless there is a showing of cause why that right should not be granted, and requires the court to consider evidence of past or present domestic violence when it decides custody and visitation (Rhode Island General Laws Section 15-5-16). Rhode Island does not require a separate, standalone parenting plan by statute; custody is set by a Family Court order. Writing a clear parenting plan is still valuable in Rhode Island because it shows the court the decision-making, residential, and visitation schedule the parents are asking it to adopt. DocDraft builds your Rhode Island parenting plan from your family's schedule, with attorney review available before you file it with the Family Court.
Key Things to Know
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A parenting plan is a written document describing custody, visitation, and the schedule for a family's children, used when parents divorce, when they never married, or when an order must be updated.
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In Rhode Island the Family Court decides custody by the best interests of the child (Rhode Island General Laws Section 15-5-16).
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Rhode Island's statute does not split custody into separate defined terms for legal and physical custody, so a plan usually covers both decision-making and where the child lives.
- 4
Rhode Island directs the court to provide for the reasonable right of visitation by the parent not having custody, unless there is a showing of cause why the right should not be granted (Section 15-5-16).
- 5
A Rhode Island court must consider evidence of past or present domestic violence when it decides child custody and visitation (Section 15-5-16).
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Rhode Island does not require a separate, standalone parenting plan by statute; custody is set by a Family Court order.
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A clear written plan still helps in Rhode Island because it shows the Family Court the decision-making and schedule arrangement the parents want it to adopt, and any parenting-class requirement is set by the court.
Key decisions before you file
Before you file a Parenting Plan in Rhode Island, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Parenting Plan guide walks through them.
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Rhode Island Requirements for Parenting Plan
Custody Decided by Best Interests
In Rhode Island the Family Court decides custody by the best interests of the child (Rhode Island General Laws Section 15-5-16). The statute does not list every factor; Rhode Island courts weigh best-interest considerations developed through case law, such as each parent's relationship with the child, the child's stability, and the health of those involved.
One Term for Custody
Rhode Island uses the single term custody rather than splitting it into separate defined categories for legal and physical custody the way some states do. Custody covers both the authority to make major decisions for the child and where the child primarily lives, so a Rhode Island plan describes both together.
Reasonable Visitation for the Other Parent
Rhode Island law directs the Family Court to provide for the reasonable right of visitation by the parent who does not have custody of the children, unless there is a showing of cause why that right should not be granted (Rhode Island General Laws Section 15-5-16). Your plan should set out the visitation schedule clearly.
Domestic Violence Considered
When it decides child custody and visitation, a Rhode Island court must consider evidence of past or present domestic violence (Rhode Island General Laws Section 15-5-16). A parenting plan can set out supervised exchanges or other safeguards where they are appropriate for the family.
Custody Set by Family Court Order
Rhode Island does not require a separate, standalone parenting plan by statute. Custody and visitation are set by a Family Court order under Rhode Island General Laws Section 15-5-16. A clear written plan still shows the court the arrangement the parents are asking it to adopt.
Decision-Making and Residence
Your Rhode Island parenting plan should state how the parents will make major decisions about the children and describe where the children primarily live. Because the statute uses one term for custody, spelling out both the decision-making arrangement and the residential schedule keeps the plan clear for the Family Court.
Schedule, Holidays, and Exchanges
Your plan should set out the schedule: the regular weekday and weekend routine, holidays, school breaks, and summer, plus exchanges, transportation, and communication. A detailed Rhode Island schedule reduces conflict by telling both parents and the court exactly when the child is with each parent.
Parenting Class Set by the Court
The Rhode Island Family Court may direct parents in a case involving children to a parent-education program, but the requirement is administered by the court rather than set as a single fixed statewide class in the statute. Check with the Rhode Island Family Court where your case is filed.