Parenting time plans, also known as visitation schedules or custody agreements, are meant to provide stability and ensure that children maintain strong relationships with both parents after they separate or divorce. Because every family is unique, a parenting time plan that works well for one family may not be suitable for another.
Children’s needs, parental work schedules, distance between homes and other personal circumstances can all play a role in shaping a parenting time arrangement. Courts typically encourage parents to work together to create a plan that prioritizes their child’s best interests while accommodating the realities of daily life.
Common consequential considerations
A well-structured plan should provide consistency while remaining flexible enough to adjust as circumstances change. The following concerns generally take front and center in most parenting plan drafting processes:
- A Child’s Age and Developmental Needs: A parenting schedule for a toddler will look very different from one designed for a teenager. Younger children may need shorter, more frequent stretches of time at one house, while older children with school, extracurricular activities and social lives may benefit from extended time with each parent.
- Parental Work and Travel Schedules: Some parents work traditional 9-to-5 jobs, while others weather rotating shifts, overnight schedules or frequent travel commitments. A parenting plan should consider work demands to ensure that each parent has meaningful time with their child.
- Distance Between Homes: If parents live in the same neighborhood, frequent exchanges may be possible. However, when parents live hours apart, a schedule that allows for longer but less frequent stretches of parenting time may be more practical.
- The Child’s School and Activities: Parenting plans should take into account school schedules, homework time and extracurricular activities. A plan that disrupts a child’s routine too much can be stressful and negatively impact their academic and social life.
Additionally, some children have medical needs, disabilities or therapy appointments that require special planning. Likewise, if one parent has a history of substance abuse, domestic violence or instability, the court may impose restrictions such as supervised visits.
It cannot be stressed enough that every family is different. Seeking personalized legal guidance can help parents to construct parenting time plans that work for their families uniquely.