Massachusetts · M.G.L. c. 208, § 31

Shared Custody Implementation Plan

This template satisfies the statutory requirements of M.G.L. c. 208, § 31 for a shared custody implementation plan. Fill in all fields. This document must be submitted to the court at trial if either party seeks shared custody.

⚠️ This is a template, not legal advice. Dad Court Help is not a law firm. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Have a qualified Massachusetts family law attorney review your plan before filing. Laws change — verify current requirements at mass.gov.

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Parties & Children

Parent A (Full Legal Name)

Parent B (Full Legal Name)

Parent A Address

Parent B Address

Parent A Phone

Parent B Phone

Child(ren) — Full Legal Name(s), Date(s) of Birth

Court / Case Information

Education ⚖️ Required by Statute

M.G.L. c. 208, § 31 requires the plan to address the child's education.

School Enrollment — Who will the child be enrolled with?

If other, specify:

Educational Decision-Making — How will major educational decisions be made?

Special Education / IEP — Who attends IEP meetings? Who signs?

School Communication — How will both parents receive school information?

Extracurricular Activities — How are enrollment and costs decided?

Homework & Schoolwork — Who monitors during parenting time?

Health Care ⚖️ Required by Statute

M.G.L. c. 208, § 31 requires the plan to address the child's health care.

Health Insurance — Who provides coverage?

Insurance Policy Information

Medical Decision-Making — How will major medical decisions be made?

Emergency Medical Care — What happens if child needs emergency treatment?

Primary Care Physician

Dentist

Mental Health / Counseling — How are decisions made?

Medication — Who administers prescription medications?

Unreimbursed Medical Costs — How are they split?

Vaccinations — Who decides?

Dispute Resolution ⚖️ Required by Statute

M.G.L. c. 208, § 31 requires the plan to include procedures for resolving disputes.

Primary Dispute Resolution Method

Mediation Details (if selected)

Communication Method for Disputes

Timeline for Resolution

Emergency Dispute Process

Residential / Parenting Time Schedule ⚖️ Required by Statute

M.G.L. c. 208, § 31 requires the plan to include periods of time during which each party will have the child, including holidays and vacations.

Regular Weekly Schedule

Day	Parent A	Parent B	Notes
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Transportation / Exchanges

Exchange Location

Who transports to exchange?

Who transports from exchange?

Holiday Schedule

Holiday	Even Years	Odd Years	Time
New Year's Day
MLK Day
February School Vacation
April School Vacation
Memorial Day
July 4th
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Child's Birthday
Parent A's Birthday
Parent B's Birthday
Mother's Day
Father's Day

Summer / School Break

Summer Vacation Schedule

Right of First Refusal

Additional Provisions

Communication Between Parents

Communication with Child

Introduction of New Partners

Travel Out of State

Relocation

Social Media

Substance Use

Signatures

By signing below, each parent certifies under the pains and penalties of perjury that the information in this plan is accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge. Both parents acknowledge that this plan is fair and equitable, was negotiated in good faith, and neither parent was coerced or pressured into agreeing to its terms. Both parents had the opportunity to consult independent legal counsel before signing.

Parent A Signature

Date

Parent B Signature

Date

Before filing: Review the current Massachusetts Probate & Family Court requirements at mass.gov. Consider having a family law attorney review this plan. The court may reject plans that are vague, incomplete, or not in the child's best interests.