Parenting Plan Options Compared

Four parenting plan options

Unmarried parents usually choose one of four parenting plan options. All of them can work. They do not include the same help, and they do not cost the same.

1. Court DIY

Montana courts provide free parenting plan forms and videos. You complete the packet, pay the filing fee, file the case, serve papers if required, and manage any hearing yourself. This can work if you have time to learn the process and both parents can agree.

2. Form-only websites

Some websites sell documents at a very low starting price. The forms themselves may be inexpensive. Help, questions, customization, notarization, and filing are often extra. Those add-ons can raise the real cost into the thousands, and you may still be the person who files and follows the court steps.

3. DoUsParent

You answer guided questions. We prepare the documents, review them with a licensed attorney, include remote notarization, include the court filing fee, and file the case. Current Montana pricing is $1,600. We represent only the parent who hires us.

4. A traditional attorney

You can hire a lawyer for custom representation. That is the right choice when the parents cannot agree or the matter is complicated. It usually costs much more than $1,600, especially if the case becomes contested.

Side-by-side

	Court DIY	Form-only Site	DoUsParent	Traditional Attorney
Starting cost	Free forms	Often low	$1,600 flat fee	Usually much higher
Attorney Review	No	Rarely included	Yes	Yes
Notary	You arrange	Often extra	Included	Usually extra or billed
Court filing fee	You pay	Usually extra	Included	Usually extra or billed
Who files	You	Usually you	We file	The attorney’s office
Best when	You can do the court steps yourself	You only need forms	You want the process handled	The parents cannot agree