Positive Solutions Divorce Services
Menu
Positive Solutions Divorce Services
Menu
When parents separate, one of the biggest concerns is how to raise children in two households. Without clear expectations, even small issues can create stress for parents and uncertainty for children. A sample co-parenting agreement in Mississauga can be a valuable starting point, helping families understand what to include and how to keep everyone on the same page.
A co-parenting agreement, sometimes called a parenting plan, sets out how parents will share time with their children, make decisions about important matters, and handle day-to-day responsibilities. While every family’s situation is unique, looking at a sample agreement can make the process less overwhelming by showing the common areas that need to be addressed.
If you’re unsure where to begin, starting with a co-parenting agreement template can help you understand the key components that should be included, such as parenting time, communication methods, and financial responsibilities.
The goal of a co-parenting agreement is to reduce conflict, provide stability for children, and ensure both parents understand their roles after separation. In Mississauga, these agreements can also be incorporated into a separation agreement, making them legally enforceable.
This guide will walk you through what a sample co-parenting agreement typically includes, why it matters, and how mediation can help you customize it for your family. By the end, you’ll see how a clear, child-focused plan can create smoother transitions and stronger cooperation between parents.
A co-parenting agreement is a written agreement between separating or divorcing parents that outlines how they will raise their children after separation. In Mississauga, parenting plans are crucial documents that help establish stability and routine for children during a potentially turbulent time.
These plans cover various aspects of child-rearing, including living arrangements, education, healthcare decisions, and more. While the terms “custody” and “access” were previously used, Canadian law now refers to “decision-making responsibility” and “parenting time” to better reflect the collaborative nature of modern co-parenting arrangements.
Establishing a detailed parenting time schedule is essential for ensuring consistency, stability, and effective scheduling in the child’s life. Parenting time refers to the specific periods during which the child stays with each parent. Having a clear, well-thought-out schedule can help minimize conflicts and provide predictability for the child. It is important to consider the child’s age, needs, and daily routine when drafting this schedule. Factors such as school commitments, extracurricular activities, and the child’s social interactions should all be considered.
Every family is different, but most co-parenting agreements in Mississauga cover the same core areas. A sample agreement usually includes:
By covering these areas, a co-parenting agreement creates structure and reduces uncertainty. Parents know what to expect, and children benefit from consistent routines and reduced conflict between households.
In Ontario, the primary consideration in any co-parenting agreement is the best interests of the child. This principle is protected in the Children’s Law Reform Act and considers factors such as:
Building a co-parenting agreement can feel overwhelming but breaking it into steps makes the process more manageable. Here’s a practical roadmap based on what’s typically included in a co-parenting agreement in Ontario:
Before writing anything down, think about your children’s ages, school schedules, activities, and any special needs. These factors will guide your decisions about parenting time, communication, and finances.
Decide how time will be shared between households. Some families use alternating weekends, a 2-2-3 schedule, or week-on/week-off. Holidays, birthdays, and school breaks should also be addressed. The goal is to give children consistency and meaningful time with both parents.
Ontario family law now uses the term decision-making responsibility instead of custody. Your agreement should clarify whether decisions about education, health care, religion, and extracurricular activities are made jointly or divided between parents.
Successful co-parenting depends on effective communication. Agree on how you’ll share updates – whether by text, email, phone, or a co-parenting app. Set expectations around timeliness, tone, and the type of information that should always be shared (such as medical updates or school reports).
Children’s needs change as they grow. Include a plan for reviewing the agreement – often once a year or when major life changes occur, such as a new school, relocation, or changes in a parent’s work schedule.
Some families want to include grandparents, stepparents, or blended family arrangements. Others may need to outline how they’ll handle extracurricular commitments like sports or lessons. Including these details can reduce confusion later.
Once the details are agreed upon, put them in writing. Working with a mediator ensures your agreement is practical, balanced, and child focused. A mediator can also help you incorporate the parenting plan into a legally binding separation agreement.
An accredited family mediator can help you finalize the agreement and ensure it is enforceable and aligned with the best interests of your child under Ontario family law.
By following these steps, parents move from broad ideas to a detailed plan that reflects the children’s best interests. While a sample co-parenting agreement can provide structure, mediation ensures the final agreement is tailored to your family.
Creating a co-parenting agreement on your own can feel overwhelming – but you don’t have to do it alone. Many couples turn to mediation services in Ontario to help finalize their co-parenting agreement. At Positive Solutions Divorce Services®, our accredited mediators help Mississauga parents draft a customized, legally binding plan that reflects your family’s needs. We’ll guide you through the topics of parenting time, decision-making, financial responsibilities, and communication strategies, ensuring your children’s best interests come first.
We help families across Mississauga and the surrounding communities, including:
Through secure online family mediation and divorce mediation, we ensure convenient access to personalized parenting plans for families throughout Peel and Halton Regions.
👉 Schedule your free 30-minute joint consultation today to explore how family mediation in Mississauga can help you resolve co-parenting challenges.
📞 Toll-Free: 888-779-8777
📧 connect@positivesolutions.ca
🌐 www.positivesolutions.ca
“Changing the way couples separate in Mississauga Ontario”
President and founder of Positive Solutions Divorce Services®
(416)-559-5527 | connect@positivesolutions.ca | positivesolutions.ca
The information provided in our blogs and throughout our website is intended for general educational purposes, offering insights into separation and divorce processes in Ottawa and throughout Ontario. While we make every effort to ensure our content is accurate and current, it should not be considered legal advice. Although we can provide legal information to help you understand the divorce process, we recommend consulting with a qualified family law lawyer to obtain legal advice specific to your situation.
Learn More about Positive Solutions Divorce Services
Book a Free Joint Online Meeting to see if Mediation is right for you.
Throughout the mediation process, we encourage open communication and creative problem-solving, often uncovering mutually beneficial solutions. Our goal is to help you create a separation agreement that provides clarity and stability during this transitional period, while also being flexible enough to adapt to future changes.
By choosing our mediation services for your separation agreement, you can often achieve a more personalized and comprehensive document than one created through traditional legal channels, potentially saving time, reducing costs, and laying the groundwork for a more amicable post-separation relationship.
A Separation Agreement is a legally binding document that outlines how separating spouses will divide parenting responsibilities, property, and finances after a relationship ends. At Positive Solutions Divorce Services®, we help couples create clear, enforceable Separation Agreements through mediation—without going to court.
Our trained mediators guide both partners through every topic that matters: parenting time, decision making, child support, spousal support, and property equalization. We offer a calm, structured environment where couples can resolve issues respectfully and affordably. Once decisions are made, we prepare a comprehensive agreement that can be reviewed by independent legal counsel and signed to become legally binding in Ontario.
*The information included in a Separation Agreement, or other applicable documents, is purely a guide and cannot substitute for a lawyer’s skill, knowledge, and careful drafting. These documents are simply reflective of the information received from you and are an administrative service only.
Positive Solutions Divorce Services® does not warrant and is not liable or responsible for ensuring the validity and/or enforceability of any Agreement or clause in an Agreement and remains your full and sole responsibility. Full financial disclosure is a crucial element in the preparation of any Agreement. It is also critical that you understand your rights and obligations under existing law.
In many circumstances, the Agreement will be addressing complex assets and issues, such as corporations, trusts, pensions, tax implications etc. In these cases, it is imperative that the actual relevant documentation be reviewed and that the expertise of an accountant or specialist in the subject area be consulted to ensure that the Agreement properly addresses these complex assets and issues. It is strongly recommended that you retain Independent Legal Advice before signing any documentation arising out of the end of your marriage or common law relationship.