Approaches To 50/50 Time Sharing For Divorced Parents
Couples who have undergone a recent divorce often struggle with issues related to their children. This is no secret, and yet, the stakes are so high, that the parents must be able to create a plan that fits the best interests of the children. In cases where they can’t reach a solution together, the court will impose one on them. This is rarely ideal. Unless there is a history of domestic violence or serious substance abuse, the parents can generally hammer out a plan together that will meet their children’s needs through mediation with the help of their family law attorney. However, difficult divorces present their own sorts of problems and occasionally, the children become a battleground. Once again, the courts will need to intercede when this happens.
50/50 timesharing splits
There are several ways of sharing time with your co-parent on an even basis and parents often ask their attorneys questions like, “What works best for the children?” The truth of the answer is that any schedule can work well for the children so long as it remains consistent. Options for parents are thus related to their own schedules, but the need to organize around an agreed-upon schedule remains paramount. Potential schedules that may work for you include:
- 1 week on/1 week off – The parents would alternate weeks with their children.
- 2 weeks on/2 weeks off – The parents would alternate every 2 weeks.
- 3-4, 4-3 – The parents would take three days one week and then four days the next week.
- 2-2, 5-5 – The children would spend two days with one parent, then two days with the other parent, then five days with one parent, and five days with the other parent.
- 2-2-3 – The parents would alternate every two days then the first parent would get three days in a row. The next week, the schedule would flip.
- Alternating every 2 days – Parents would simply alternate every two days.
While there are other approaches to 50/50 time sharing, these are the most popular employed by divorced parents across the country.
Will a 50/50 timesharing schedule work for you?
The parents will have to be on the same page when it comes to the interests of their children, be able to communicate on a daily basis, and live relatively close to one another in a stable environment to make it work.
For the children, the schedule will also have to make sense, as stability is the key to ensuring a smoother transition through the divorce. Indeed, both parents must be committed to putting the best interests of their children first.
Lastly, parents will want to work out separate schedules for holidays and school breaks outside of the context of normal time. When two formerly married partners can make a schedule like this work, the children benefit immensely.
Talk to a Lakeland Divorce Lawyer Today
Darla K. Snead, PL, Attorney at Law represents the interests of divorcing couples who are arranging timesharing or child custody schedules. Call a Lakeland family lawyer at our office today to schedule an appointment. We can assist you in the best way to maneuver the next chapter of your life.
