What To Expect When Hiring A Divorce Attorney

3 Options For 50/50 Custody

Divorce can be difficult for parents and children. Adults have to navigate through figuring out life without their partner, and children have to adjust to the new normal of separate homes. It is a huge lifestyle change for everyone.

Figuring out a parenting plan is an important part of the divorce process. Your divorce lawyer will help you figure out the best choice for your particular situation, but it is wise to know some of your options headed into it.

50/50 Timeshare

Many jurisdictions encourage 50/50 custody, where both parents share an equal amount of the parenting time. This has been shown to be very beneficial to children of divorced parents and is fair to both parties involved. There are many ways to split the parenting time, but three popular schedules are: 2-2-3, 2-2-5-5 and alternating weeks. All of these schedules encourage relationships with both parents and give each parent time on the weekends.

2-2-3

The 2-2-3 schedule is great because children see each parent throughout the week. This schedule rotates the days weekly. For example, Parent A would have the kids Monday and Tuesday, Parent B would have Wednesday and Thursday, and Parent A would then have them Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  The following week would be reversed, with Parent B starting (and ending) the week with the kids.

With this schedule the kids are never away from a parent for too long, but there are a lot of transitions. Children that have difficulty transitioning probably wouldn't do well with this schedule. It also works best when the parents are able to be amicable and communicate well with each other, since there will be a large amount of exchanges.

2-2-5-5

The 2-2-5-5 schedule is similar to the 2-2-3 because it allows the children to see both parents weekly. There are still quite a few transitions, but not as many as the 2-2-3 schedule. One benefit of this schedule is that each parent has the same two days each week, allowing them to plan activities on that time. 

For example, Parent A would always have Mondays and Tuesdays. Parent B would always have Wednesdays and Thursdays. Weekends would rotate. It is predictable and consistent from week to week.

Alternating Weeks

An alternating week schedule means that each parent has the children for a week at a time before they switch. This is good for children who don't transition as well, but means that kids will go a week without seeing the other parent. It is easy to keep track of and may benefit older children who have difficulty keeping track of schoolwork between houses. It also means parents share an equal load of extracurricular activities.

There is no right or wrong when figuring out how to split time between households and every family is unique. One of the 50/50 schedules listed above may turn out to be the best fit for you. Your family law attorney will help you figure out the best plan for your situation. 


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