A step-up Child Custody Plan (often called a Parenting Plan) is a custody schedule that automatically changes when a specific event occurs. Instead of returning to court every few years to modify the parenting plan, parents can build future changes directly into their agreement.
Think of it as creating a roadmap for the future.
Rather than saying:
"We'll figure it out later."
A step-up plan says:
"When this event happens, the schedule automatically changes."
This can save parents thousands of dollars in future legal fees and reduce conflict by eliminating uncertainty.
Learn more about step up plans in our FREE class, Parenting Plans & Custody Agreements.
What is a Trigger Event?
A trigger event is a specific future event that automatically causes part of a parenting plan to change.
Rather than requiring the parents to negotiate a new agreement later, the parenting plan already identifies:
- The event that will occur
- The change that will happen
- When the new provision takes effect
Think of a trigger event as a built-in roadmap for the future.
In Class 1: Parenting Plans & Custody Agreements, we explain how trigger events, custody schedules, and parenting plan provisions can help parents create clearer agreements and avoid future family court disputes. Start Class 1 FREE today.
Common Trigger Events in Parenting Plans
Trigger events can be found in a variety of scenarios, depending on your child's needs. The most common trigger events occur when a child starts school or reaches a certain age.
These trigger events are popular because they are easy to identify and are likely to occur.
Common trigger events include:
- A child starting kindergarten
- A child entering middle school
- A child entering high school
- A parent's relocation
- Completion of reunification therapy
- Completion of substance abuse treatment
- A parent obtaining suitable housing
- A child reaching a specific age
In Class 1: Parenting Plans & Custody Agreements, we discuss how clear parenting plan language can help parents reduce conflict, avoid ambiguity, and create stronger custody agreements. Start FREE today!
Avoid Vague Future Language
One of the most common drafting mistakes is relying on future cooperation.
For example:
"The parties will discuss a different schedule when the child starts school."
That provision doesn't actually solve anything.
If the parents disagree later, they may find themselves back in mediation, arbitration, or court.
Instead, the parenting plan should clearly identify:
- The trigger event
- The new schedule
- The date or timeframe the change takes effect
The more specific the language, the less opportunity there is for future conflict.
Planning Ahead Can Save Money
Children grow and change rapidly. Parents change too. New jobs arise, schedules shift, people relocate, relationships begin and end, and family dynamics evolve over time. A parent may meet a new intimate partner, remarry, have additional children, move closer to the child, or move farther away.
Grandparents or other relatives may become more involved, and in some situations a parent may even have a former in-law or family member move into the home.
Many of the conflicts parents face years after a divorce or separation are not caused by bad intentions. They arise because life changed and the parenting plan did not.
By using clear trigger events and step-up provisions, parents can create parenting plans that adapt as circumstances evolve. Rather than returning to court every time a child reaches a new stage of life or a family situation changes, parents can build a roadmap into the agreement from the beginning.
No parenting plan can predict every future challenge. However, thoughtful planning can reduce uncertainty, minimize conflict, and help families navigate life's inevitable changes without unnecessary litigation.
We help you do that in our FREE Class 1, Parenting Plans & Custody Agreements.
Writing a Good Step Up Custody Plan
Many courts provide parenting plan guides and sample schedules that can help parents understand how custody arrangements may evolve as children grow.
For example, the Arizona Judicial Branch Parenting Time Plans provide age-based parenting schedules and examples of how parenting time can change over time. Even if you do not live in Arizona, reviewing resources like these can help you better understand how a step-up plan may be formatted and implemented.
Parenting Plan 101 also teaches parents how parenting plans and custody agreements work, including step-up plans, trigger events, residential schedules, holidays, vacations, and advanced parenting plan provisions designed to reduce conflict and avoid costly future disputes.
Check out our FREE class, Parenting Plans & Custody Agreements.
