Joint custody schedules can be both rewarding and challenging for parents. Establishing a joint custody schedule that is fair, equitable, and workable for all parties involved can be difficult to achieve without careful consideration, however, the effort invested in creating such an arrangement pays dividends down the road.
In this blog post, we will discuss the different approaches attorneys may use when advising their clients seeking to establish joint custody schedules with respect to time-sharing agreements between parents. We’ll also explore some of the common pitfalls to avoid during negotiations so court proceedings can go as smoothly as possible.
Joint Custody Schedule – What is That?
When parents have joint legal custody, they both influence significant decisions in their children’s lives, from schooling to spiritual upbringing and medical treatment. Joint physical custody also offers an equal parenting situation; however, this does not need to be a perfect 50/50 arrangement with kids living at each parent’s home for equivalent lengths of time.
Now, keep on reading for 7 types of joint custody schedules and find out which is suitable for your case.
Types of Joint Custody Schedules
If you’re a parent deliberating on the notion of shared physical custody, then it is essential to find out what parenting schedule would be most suitable for your household. Here’s an overview of some popular joint custody schedules:
Type 1: 2-2-3 schedule
Parents will alternate physical custody on a five- or two-day cycle. Parent A will have the child for two consecutive days, followed by Parent B having them for the next two days, and then concluding with Parent A caring for their offspring again over the last two days of that cycle.
They’ll switch off after that: this time it’s parent B who has custody of their child firstly during those initial two consecutive days, as well as all three out of the remaining period until they handover care to parent A once more just before beginning another rotation.
You can check out this 2-2-3 joint custody schedules right here.
Type 2: 2-2-5-5 schedule
This custody schedule is not unlike the last one, which involves alternating every two days and then again after five. For instance: Parent A will have their child Sunday and Monday; following that, Parent B has them from Tuesday to Wednesday.
After this cycle repeats itself over a week’s timeframe, both parents still possess the same two alternating weekends – beneficial if there are many family or extracurricular activities for your youngster!
This is similar to type 6 – Modified OED right below.
Type 3: 3-4-4-3 schedule
After three days, both parents and children will switch off in a four day cycle; one parent will have 50.3% of the timeshare while the other gets 49.7%, making for plenty of exchanges over time.
Type 4: Alternating weeks
This plan, sometimes referred to as a week-on/week-off system, can offer great advantages for teens and families who require fewer changes of custody. Parents will take turns having physical guardianship every seven days in an alternating pattern.
Type 5: 70-30 schedule (with alternating weekends and a weekday visit or overnight stay).
Parent A will stay with the child for 11 days, and then Parent B will have custody of the little one for 3 days. In between these periods, a mid-week visit or exchange can take place should Parent A wish it to happen. This is one of the joint custody agreements that is suitable when either parent has a hectic career or lives far away from their ex-partner.
Type 6: Every other day
If communication isn’t an issue with your co-parents and you’re anxious about spending time away from your littles, this is one of the good joint custody agreements for you, where parents can take place in after each day.
For example, in the first week, Parent A meets their child on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, so Parent B will meet on the other days. Then when it comes to the second week, Parent B will see the child right on Monday (because Parent A already met the child on Sunday), then also repeat the cycle.
International travel can be complicated to maintain when children are of an older age, especially if their parents have varied rules and regulations between households or there is a lack of communication.
Type 7: Modified EOD
This modified every-other-day schedule is great for parents of littles who don’t want to go long times without seeing their children but still enjoy uninterrupted weekends. There is a week where they just see their child for 2 days a week, then the following week they can have a full weekend with them. It will repeat as a cycle.
For example, Parent A in week one will have two days with their child: Tuesday and Thursday, the others will belong to Parent B. Then when it is week two, Parent A will have not only Tuesday and Thursday but also Friday to Sunday. This is also applied with Parent B.
Throughout the week, many conversations and hand-offs occur, but it also means that you get to spend quality time with your children each day.
Check out one of the similar joint custody schedules: 2-2-5 schedules
FAQs
What is the most common joint custody schedules?
One of the most popular joint custody arrangements is the 2-2-3 plan, which entails alternating sets of days spent with either parent. Likewise, an alternate week schedule could also be implemented wherein a child stays one full week with each parent in succession. The 2-2-5 plan is another common arrangement where kids spend two consecutive days followed by five days apart from their parents as well.
What type of custody is good for a child?
Professor of Child Psychology at the University of Virginia, Robert Emery PhD states that “joint physical custody” is a desirable arrangement for children in theory yet research demonstrates it to be less dependable than exclusive custodianship.
Am I entitled to know who is near my child?
It is the right of both parents to be aware of their children’s whereabouts during visitation, as well as any additional persons they may come into contact with when one parent isn’t present, such as babysitters or acquaintances.
Can a mother legally restrict a father’s access?
Fathers possess the same right to see their children as mothers, and unless there is a valid concern that further contact may put the child’s wellbeing at risk, it cannot be prohibited by law.
Conclusions
Joint custody schedules can be a great solution for divorced or separated couples who are both willing to actively participate in their children’s lives. Not only do joint custody arrangements allow parents to share the physical and emotional care of their children, but they also offer flexibility and an equal say in parenting decisions.
Depending on the needs of each family, joint custody schedules can be tailored with different types of joint custody schedules and arrangements. Ultimately, joint custody arrangements are designed to allow both parents to remain involved in their child’s life and provide the best possible environment for them. As such, joint custody agreements should be made with consideration of all factors, including the needs of each family and the wellbeing of the children involved.
