Common Parenting Schedules to Take into Consideration
Determining the allocation of parental responsibilities can be one of the most difficult aspects of divorce. Parents are not used to having to schedule a time to see their children. It is typically built into their schedule out of default. Making parenting decisions can be the portion of divorce that causes the most conflict. Emotions can run high, which can lead to an inaccurate representation of who you are as a parent. In order to avoid being overwhelmed by the legal process, it is important to be prepared when discussing parenting schedules.
Common Schedules
Although all parenting schedules can be adjusted to fit your family, there are four common divisions of parenting time that many families follow.
- 50/50: Evident in the name, the 50/50 plan has the child spending equal time with both parents. Some families have the children spend a whole week with each parent while some prefer to alternate days. This schedule is best when both parents live nearby and both are actively involved in parenting. The 50/50 schedule can make it difficult for the child to feel grounded depending on the number of days spent in each household.
- 60/40: This schedule is close to the 50/50 plan but assigns a primary home for the child. The 60/40 requires four days with one parent and three days with the other. Children will normally stay with one parent during the week and spend a long weekend with the other parent. This tends to give the child more stability during the school week, allowing them to focus on their academics during the week.
- 70/30: This schedule has the child living with one parent five days a week and the other two days a week. Similar to the 60/40, children normally stay with the non-custodial parent on the weekends, but this is adjustable based on each family’s situation.
- 80/20: The 80/20 has the child spending the majority of their time with the custodial parent while visiting the non-custodial parent every other weekend. Many families choose this to give both parents time with their children on the weekend, especially if both parents work. Although the child lives primarily with one parent, it can be difficult to spend “quality time” with them during the week.
Contact a Lombard Divorce Lawyer for Help
Divorce changes your lifestyle significantly, especially for parents. Rather than seeing their child every day, parents have to learn to adjust. At A. Traub & Associates, we work with you to do what is best for your whole family. If you are searching for assistance with your divorce, contact our experienced DuPage County attorneys for a private consultation at 630-426-0196.
Source:
https://www.custodyxchange.com/examples/schedules/80-20/