GENERAL PHILOSOPHY

1. Since we believe in the importance of both raising our children, we agree to share joint legal and physical custody of our children, Jeremy (currently age 8) and Jennifer (currently age 6). We agree to be cooperative in the best interests of our children. Because we have difficulty settling on many issues, we agree to the appointment of a mediation / arbitration professional, who is sometimes referred to as a Special Master.

2. Cooperative parenting establishes a framework wherein, mutually or with a mediator, we agree to establish two homes for Jeremy and Jennifer, arrange for the day-to-day care of Jeremy and Jennifer, consult one another concerning the needs of Jeremy and Jennifer and each other as their needs relate to Jeremy and Jennifer. This framework does not require that any set method of parenting be used but only that it be established in a cooperative manner.

3. Both of us understand that cooperative parenting requires the acceptance of mutual responsibilities as well as mutual rights insofar as Jeremy and Jennifer is concerned and may require that we put Jeremy and Jennifer's needs ahead of our own. We set forth the following agreement as to the times and places where Jeremy and Jennifer will reside, what our responsibilities will be and other relevant factors. We further agree that this agreement will be reviewed at least on an annual basis and specifically renewed or revised as necessary.

4. We are aware that the Court always has jurisdiction to modify any arrangement that concerns the well being of Jeremy and Jennifer. Notwithstanding this, we specifically express our intent to not resort to the Court except pursuant to paragraph 63 below.

5. While we were living together in a relationship, law and custom gave us certain rights and responsibilities regarding the parent-child interaction. It is our specific intent that these same rights and responsibilities continue, except as to those changes necessitated by the dissolution of our relationship and the establishment of two households. Since it was not necessary to be specific as to what the exact terms of the parent-child interactions were during our relationship, we do not feel that it is necessary to set forth all of the specific requirements of the new parent-child relationship. Such requirements as are set forth herein do not imply that this is a comprehensive or exclusive listing.

6. Both of us will continue to provide a home for Jeremy and Jennifer until they reach adulthood. Each will care for the physical, emotional and intellectual needs of our children as best we can; each will have the best interests of Jeremy and Jennifer at heart.

7. We shall decide all issues, such as the time Jeremy and Jennifer shall spend with us, schooling, medical care, etc., between us, using the general intent of this agreement.

8. It is agreed that the parent with whom Jeremy and Jennifer reside will have day-to-day jurisdiction of Jeremy and Jennifer; however, all decisions of a substantive nature will be made by consensus, if time and circumstances reasonably permit.

9. Major decisions pertaining to education, health, summer activities and welfare of Jeremy and Jennifer shall be decided by both of us after adequate consultation has occurred between us about the developmental stages of the children, the welfare of the children, the best interests of the children, and, so far as possible, the desires of the children.

10. Both of us agree to foster love and respect, even in trying times, between the children and the other parent. Neither of us shall do anything, which may estrange Jeremy and Jennifer from the other parent or hamper the natural and continuing relationships between the children and either parent.

11. We agree to honor one another's parenting style, privacy and authority. We will not interfere in the parenting style of the other parent, nor will we make plans or arrangements that would impinge upon the other parent's authority or times with the children without the express agreement of the other parent.

12. Further, we understand that each of us has or may establish an emotional / romantic relationship with another adult and neither of us requires that such relationship be a marital relationship, nor shall either attempt to limit the parental rights of the other solely on the grounds that such a relationship is not a marital relationship.

13. The personal possessions of the children are, as we both acknowledge, their personal property. They are to have complete freedom as to where they want their personal property: they may leave clothing, shoes, etc., at either of their homes, subject to a reasonable rebalancing of those items at periodic intervals.

    PARENTING SCHEDULE

14. During the school year, as defined by the school calendar, the children will reside with the mother, except for the following times when they will be with their mother.

15. During the school year, the children will spend time with the father as follows:

16. Every other weekend, from Friday where the father or his appointee will pick the children up from school, and he will keep them until Monday morning when he or his appointee will return the children to school.

17. Each week, father shall have the children for a Wednesday overnight visit. This will begin immediately after school (after-school day care may be used if pick up cannot be immediate). The children will be returned to school on Thursday morning.

18. During the last week each month of the school year, father shall have Jennifer on Tuesday from after school until the following morning when she will be returned to school. On Thursday of that week, father shall have Jeremy from after school until the following morning when he will be returned to school. As above, use of daycare and pick up or drop off by an appointee may be followed if needed.

19. School breaks will be handled as follows:

20. Christmas Vacation

21. The vacation will be divided in half, to include the use of a half-day if necessary. The shift between households will occur at 12 noon on the appropriate day.

22. Father shall have the first half of Christmas Vacation in even-numbered years, mother in odd-numbered years.

23. Christmas Eve day and Christmas day shall be handled as follows:

24. Christmas Eve day, starting at 8 AM and ending at 8 PM will be observed by the parent who has the children for the second half of the Christmas vacation.

25. If father has the second half of the Christmas vacation, he will return the children to school on their first day back after the vacation, and mother's parenting time will resume on that day.

26. Spring Break

27. Spring break shall be alternated each year, with mother observing it with the children in even-numbered years, father in odd-numbered years.

28. Spring break will begin immediately after school on Friday. The parent who has them that year will pick up the children.

29. The children will be returned to school by the Spring break parent the following Monday.

30. Summer Vacation

31. Summer vacation will be divided in two-week blocks. Father will have the first two-week block with the children, and they will continue to alternate the children in two-week blocks of time until the end of the summer. Each parent can arrange his/her own day camp or such activities during his/her own time with the children.

32. If away from home on vacations, both parents are obligated to inform the other parent as to the destination, travel route and flight information (if appropriate) at least 10 days prior to the departure. These will also be filed with the mediator/arbitrator who will, at all times, hold the children's' passports until an appropriate release time.

33. If the children are not traveling out of town, they will visit with the other parent one day per week, to include an overnight. The children, wherever possible, will be picked up from day camp and returned to day camp the following morning. If this is not possible, they will negotiate a comfortable, neutral pick up and drop off with the final approval of the Mediation / Arbitration person. If the children are on a vacation trip, those days, of course, will not be observed.

34. Holidays and Birthdays will be handled as follows:

35. Mother's Day

36. Regardless of their normal visitation schedule, the children will spend Mother's Day from 9 AM to 8 PM with their Mother.

37. Father's Day

38. Regardless of their normal visitation schedule, the children will spend Father's Day from 9 AM to 8 PM with their Father.

39. Thanksgiving Weekend

40. The weekend will begin immediately after school on Wednesday and end with a return to school the following Monday. The weekend will alternate with spring break, so mother will observe it with the children in even-numbered years and father in odd-numbered years.

41. New Years Eve and Day

42. The parent who has the children during the second half of the Christmas vacation will observe these days.

43. Easter Sunday

44. Easter Sunday will be alternated each year, with father observing it with the children on odd-numbered years, mother on even-numbered years. It will begin at 6 PM Saturday night and end at 6 PM Sunday night.

45. Memorial Day Weekend

46. Memorial Day weekend will begin immediately after school on Friday and end on Tuesday morning after Memorial Day. Its observance will override the regular visitation schedule. It will be celebrated with mother in even-numbered years and father in odd-numbered years.

47. Labor Day weekend

48. This weekend will begin immediately after school an Friday and end Tuesday morning when the children are returned to school. Father will observe the weekend with the children in odd-numbered years, mother in even-numbered years.

49. July 4th

50. The day will begin at 9 AM on the 4th and end at 10 AM on July 5th, where the children will be returned to the appropriate parent. Father will observe July 4th in even-numbered years and mother in odd-numbered years.

51. Father and Mothers Birthday

52. Parent's birthdays will always transcend the regular visitation schedule. Since both parents' birthdays are during the school year, observation will begin immediately after school on school days and end at 8 PM. On non-school days, the observation will begin at 9:00 AM and end at 8 PM.

53. Children's Birthdays

54. The children's birthdays will be observed with the parent with whom they reside when the birthday falls. The other parent will make alternative plans to celebrate the children's birthdays when the children are with him/her according to the normal co-parenting schedule.

    PARENTAL CONTRIBUTIONS

55. We will both contribute a share of our resources (money, time, energy, effort, etc.) to the children for their material and psychological well being. Each of us will provide the necessary food, clothing, medical and dental care, shelter, recreation, etc., as would be usual and reasonable for a person in his or her economic circumstances. Both of us shall provide medical and dental coverage when it is available through our employer.

56. Both of us agree to consult with one another concerning medical and dental insurance. We will determine which has the best plan for the best price and, if in agreement, obtain that plan. We agree to share the cost of that plan insofar as coverage for Jeremy and Jennifer is concerned. We further agree to divide and pay any uncovered costs on a 50/50 basis where such charges are less than $100.00. When such charges exceed $100.00 and are of a non-emergency nature, we agree to consult and discuss such costs. We further agree to pay the charges that we do agree upon within thirty (30) days of submission.

    COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

57. All communications about the children shall be written in a communication book, which shall pass with the children as they pass between households. In it are to be noted important events of the previous week, the child's health and need for current medication, and upcoming appointments that may effect the children's scheduling. Requests for adjustments in co-parenting times may also be entered. While each parent is encouraged to respond to all requests within 48 hours, silence in regard to a request shall be considered a "yes". The book may not be used to criticize either parent's behavior.

58. Should any disputes arise between us or the children in the areas of education, health care, childcare, religious training, operation of a motor vehicle, extra-curricular activities, vacations, or other significant issues, we agree that it is in the best interests of the children and ourselves to resolve any disputes. All such decisions must be made jointly or arbitrated. They may not be made unilaterally by either parent. Should either of us wish to modify this agreement, we agree to:

59. Meet and confer with one another, each to present to the other a proposed solution to the dispute. If there is no resolution at this step, we will then:

60. Meet and confer with an expert in the field related to the dispute, e.g., doctor, teacher, counselor, etc. If there is no resolution at this step, we will then:

61. Meet and confer with a mediator/counselor who has had experience in dispute resolution. All concerned shall use their best efforts to resolve the issues. Should there be no resolution at this step, we will then:

62. Submit the matter to a Special Master for mediation/arbitration prior to returning to court. If there is no resolution at this step, we will then:

63. Only in the event that we still cannot agree will we submit the matter to a Court of competent jurisdiction. We understand that this is an extraordinary step and will be resorted to only when there is no other way to resolve the problem.

64. This section shall apply to all parts of this agreement.

65. Until there is resolution of any dispute that may arise concerning this agreement, the operative terms of this agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

    MISCELLANEOUS

    Child Illnesses

66. Whichever parent has had the children sleep over the night before an illness is responsible for staying home with that child the next morning if that child is too ill to return to school (or camp in the summer). Obviously, both parents are to inform the other of routine illnesses, which require the child to stay home from school.

    Out of Town Travel

67. If a parent travels out of town for fewer than 48 hours, that parent is responsible for arranging childcare for the children. If a parent is going to be gone for more than 48 hours, then the other parent must be offered first fight of refusal. If that parent cannot care for the children, it is up to the traveling parent to arrange full-time childcare until the return. If a parent accepts care of the children, there will be no make-up time for the absent parent.

    Telephone Access

68. The children may call the other parent whenever they like up to two times a day.

69. Each parent may call the children once per every 48 hours of absence. Children are to be given privacy for their telephone conversations by the other parent. The call is to be placed at a mutually agreed upon time, mediated if necessary, which will remain the same over the weeks. The residential parent is obligated to ensure the presence of the children and the absence of any activity that may draw them away from a phone call (i.e. favorite TV program, neighborhood outdoor activity a block away).

    Transportation

70. The basic principal is that the parent having the child is responsible to deliver the child either to the other parent who is supposed to have the child, or to the event or activity the child is expected to attend.

    Day to Day Decisions

71. Decisions about bedtime, hygiene, minor disciplinary actions, minor medical and dental procedures, curfew, chores, allowances, social dress, and jewelry shall be the province of the household in which the child dwells at the moment.

    Emergencies

72. Each parent is required to notify the other parent within 3 hours of any medical emergency. The parent present is authorized to sign legal consents for both parents to permit emergency intervention.

    Information

73. Each parent is required to set up his/her own information network for information about school and routine medical appointments. Each is required to tell professionals that they hold joint custody and each parent has equal rights to access all information. On any emergency information sheet, each parent will list the other as the first person to contact if he or she is not reachable.

    Geographical Relocation

74. 74. Relocation within the Denver metropolitan area (Jefferson, Adams, Boulder, Denver, Douglas and Arapaho counties) may be done only after Mediation / Arbitration has taken place as to the required changes in the children's schooling, day care, and after school activities. The children may not be removed permanently from Colorado without the express approval of the other parent, a Mediation / Arbitration decision, or an order of the court.

    Review of Agreement

75. During the month of June each year, the custody recommendations shall be reviewed and modified as agreed through mediation.

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Father Mother

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Special Master Date