One important part of your parenting plan is the parenting time schedule that specifies how you and your ex will share time with your children. In Arizona, the parenting time schedule will generally address:
- The school year
- Holidays
- School breaks
- Vacations
- Pickups/drop-offs
- Rules for traveling with children
What are some examples of parenting time schedules?
It can be challenging to come up with a schedule that works for both parents and suits the best interests of the children. Here are some possible parenting time schedules for parents who live in the same area.
- 3-4-4-3: Children spend 3 days of the week with Parent A and 4 days a week with the Parent B. The following week the children spend 4 days of the week with Parent A and 3 days of the week with Parent B.
- Alternating weeks: Children spend 1 full week (7 days) with Parent A, followed by 1 full week with Parent B.
- Alternating every 2 days: Children spend 2 days with Parent A, then 2 days with Parent B.
If you and your ex live 100 miles or more apart from each other, it does not make sense for a child to have to travel back and forth between houses every few days. In such cases, a child will most likely live primarily with one parent and visit the other (or have the other parent visit them). Here are some possible parenting schedules for long-distance parents.
- Weekend visits: The child lives primarily with Parent A, and spends every weekend, every other weekend, or one weekend a month with Parent B.
- Monthly visits: The child lives primarily with Parent A, and Parent B comes to visit for a 5-to-7-day period each month.
- Long weekend visits: The child lives primarily with Parent A, and spends 3-day weekends with Parent B.
- Alternating holidays/breaks: The child lives primarily with Parent A, but spends every other Thanksgiving and Christmas/winter break with Parent B.
Even divorcing parents who generally get along may find themselves disagreeing over child custody issues. An Arizona family law attorney can help you come up with a plan that best suits your family, while making sure that your children remain the number one priority throughout the process.