CHILD CUSTODY PLANNING DOCUMENT — ATTORNEY AND MEDIATION PREPARATION AID Document Ref: CCPD-2026-001 Date of Preparation: June 1 2026 IMPORTANT: This is a personal planning and preparation document only. It has no legal status of any kind and must be reviewed by a qualified family law attorney before any decision is made or any arrangement is finalized. 1. OVERVIEW OF THE FAMILY SITUATION 1.1 Parents: Priya and Arjun, both based in Mumbai Maharashtra India. 1.2 The family separated in May 2026 and is at an early stage of the process. 1.3 Both parents have expressed a genuine desire for an amicable process focused on the children's wellbeing. 1.4 Two children: Aanya, aged 8, currently in grade 3, and Rohan, aged 5, due to start school next year. 1.5 Arjun is currently in the family home. Priya has moved to a nearby location. 2. PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT This document is your personal preparation aid. It is designed to help both of you come to your next attorney or mediation appointment feeling organized and clear about your priorities. Every section reflects your own preliminary thoughts and is a starting point for professional conversation, not a final decision or commitment of any kind. 3. THE CHILDREN AT THE CENTER 3.1 Aanya, aged 8, is settled in her current school in grade 3. Maintaining her school friendships, routines, and sense of stability is a key priority for both parents. 3.2 Rohan, aged 5, is about to make the important transition to school next year. Having consistent and loving involvement from both parents during this milestone will be especially important for him. 3.3 Both children are described as healthy and thriving. Preserving their sense of security during this transition is the shared goal of both parents. 4. PARENTING TIME ARRANGEMENTS TO EXPLORE 4.1 Option A: Equal shared time, with the children spending alternating weeks with each parent. Key questions to explore: Is this practical given the proximity of both homes? How would school pickup and drop-off work under this arrangement? 4.2 Option B: Primary residence with one parent, with regular scheduled time with the other parent during weekdays and weekends. Key questions to explore: Which parent would be the primary residence parent? What regular schedule would the other parent have? 4.3 Both options should be explored with your family law attorney or mediator with the children's daily routines and school location as the central consideration. 5. PROPOSED WEEKLY SCHEDULE IDEAS Week A (Preliminary Discussion Draft Only): Monday to Wednesday evening: Parent A Wednesday evening to Sunday: Parent B Alternating the pattern the following week. This is a starting point for discussion only. Any schedule must be confirmed and formalized through the appropriate professional and legal process. 6. SCHOOL HOLIDAY AND SPECIAL OCCASION PLANNING Key questions to raise with your attorney or mediator: How will Diwali, school summer holidays, and other significant festivals and celebrations be shared? Will birthdays be celebrated together or separately? How will each parent's family visits and extended family time be accommodated? 7. TRANSITION AND HANDOVER ARRANGEMENTS Key questions to explore: Where will handovers take place — the family home, school, or a neutral location? How will handovers be kept calm and child-focused? Who will manage school pickup and drop-off on which days? Given that both parents live nearby, what is the most practical approach? 8. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENTS 8.1 Both parents have expressed a preference for WhatsApp as their primary communication channel for matters relating to the children. 8.2 Key topics for your attorney or mediator: What is a reasonable response time for non-urgent messages? How will genuinely urgent situations be handled? What boundaries around communication timing would help both parents feel respected? 8.3 Many separating parents find structured co-parenting apps helpful for keeping communications focused on the children. Your mediator can suggest options. 9. DECISION-MAKING ABOUT THE CHILDREN 9.1 Both parents have expressed a desire to make major decisions jointly. 9.2 Education: Who will attend school meetings and parent-teacher events? How will decisions about Rohan's school selection next year be made jointly? 9.3 Healthcare: How will medical appointments be coordinated? Who will be informed of health matters and how quickly? 9.4 Activities: How will decisions about Aanya and Rohan's extracurricular activities be made? 10. EACH PARENT'S STATED PRIORITIES Priya's priorities: Aanya's school continuity and established friendships. Rohan having strong involvement from both parents as he starts school. Regular meaningful time with both children. Arjun's priorities: Regular meaningful time with both children. A structured and clear arrangement that works around the children's routines. Areas of common ground: Both parents want an amicable process, both prioritize the children's stability, and both want active ongoing involvement in the children's lives. 11. QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR ATTORNEY OR MEDIATOR Parenting time: What arrangement would a Mumbai family court typically support for children of these ages? What does joint custody mean practically under Indian family law? Decision-making: How is joint decision- making typically structured in a formal parenting plan? Child support: What are the relevant guidelines or considerations for child financial support in Maharashtra? Process: Is family mediation available and recommended for our situation? What are the typical timelines? 12. RECOMMENDED NEXT STEPS Each parent should arrange an independent consultation with their own qualified family law attorney in Mumbai. Both parents may want to explore whether accredited family mediation is an appropriate first step given their shared commitment to an amicable process. Gather relevant documents including the children's school records, medical information, and each parent's financial details before your first attorney meeting. Remember that Aanya and Rohan are watching both of you. The most powerful thing you can do for them right now is model respectful, calm communication with each other. Children thrive when they see both their parents working together even during a difficult time. This document is a preparation aid only. Everything in it must be reviewed by your qualified family law attorney before any decision is made. NOTE: This Child Custody Planning Document was generated by an AI tool as a personal preparation and organization aid only. It does not constitute legal advice, family law guidance, mediation services, or any form of professional recommendation, and must not be treated or relied upon as a legal agreement, court document, or binding arrangement of any kind. Always work with a qualified family law attorney and where appropriate an accredited mediator in your applicable jurisdiction before making any decision or entering into any agreement related to the care and custody of your children.