The days when one parent has custody and the other has “visitation” days are disappearing in divorce court. Many parents and judges are finding that children adjust better to divorce when they spend frequent time with both parents. This has brought about 50/50 or 60/40 physical custody.
What do these custody schedules mean?
- Basically, the numbers represent the percentage of your child’s time with each parent.
- A 50/50 schedule means that the child spends half of his time with one parent and half with the other.
- The 60/40 schedule is close to equal parenting time, but one parent has 60% of the time with the child and the other has 40%.
What are the benefits of having a 50/50 or 60/40 schedule?
- The biggest benefit is that your child remains an important part of both parents’ lives.
- The child knows that he is loved.
- It is easier for the child to transition to divorce because they still see both parents frequently.
- Parents also feel comfortable knowing that they will continue to be a part of their child’s daily life.
- The child has some consistency in his life because they usually stay in the same area, live in the same house and can participate in the same activities.
What are some potential qualifications for having a 50/50 or 60/40 schedule?
- The biggest problem with these schedules is that both parents live close to each other. These schedules will not work if the parents live further apart.
- Parents should leave their old relationship behind and commit to a good co-parenting relationship.
- Both parents must have stable home environments.
Why would a person choose one schedule over another?
- Both schedules are very similar and almost any schedule can be adjusted to suit your needs. However, there are a few reasons why one plan may be chosen over another.
- A 60/40 plan may be chosen because it is decided that one parent should have a slightly higher percentage of time. This may be due to work, decisions about physical custody of the child, the child staying in the home a little longer than they are used to, etc.
- A 50/50 plan is often chosen when both parents are fully committed to the child and work together equally for the child’s benefit.
What do I do once a 50/50 or 60/40 schedule is decided?
- Now that you know what percentage of time you and the other parent will spend with your child, it’s time to determine the actual time the child will spend with each parent. This is often referred to as a parenting plan.
- There are many resources you can use to make your parenting plan. You can ask your lawyer, the mediator, research online, use existing software programs, etc. Find out what options are available to help you create your parenting plan.
- There are many parenting plans that people have used in the past. For example, with 50/50 joint physical custody, you can use the “alternate week plan” which has the child spend one week with you and the next week with the other parent. Find out about all the different types of schedules and choose the one that works best for your child, the other parent, and you.
- Submit your plan to court. If you and the other parent can agree on physical custody and a parenting plan, the court will generally follow your request. However, if you cannot agree, the court will decide what is best for the child and you will have to keep that.
The 50/50 and 60/40 physical custody schedules are great options for your child. They will be happy to be an important part of their parents’ lives. Make sure you are both committed to your child and working together for him.