It is increasingly common for custody courts to require parents to collaborate on a document known as a parenting plan. Although specific requirements for a parenting plan vary from state to state, most are agreements that set forth a number of shared principles, beliefs, rules, protocols, practices, and disciplinary methods that will be employed in the child-rearing process. Some also include information such as visitation schedules and holiday assignments. As with a custody agreement, most courts encourage parents to leave the original parenting plan in place until the child reaches the age of majority or financial self-sufficiency. However, in some cases, changing the original parenting plan may become unavoidable if circumstances prompt a major shift in the family