The days when one parent has custody and the other has a few “visitation” days are disappearing in divorce court. Many parents and judges are finding that children adapt better to divorce when they spend frequent time with both parents. This has brought in around 50/50 or 60/40 physical custody.

What do these custody schedules mean?

• Basically, the numbers represent the percentage of your child’s time with each parent.
• A 50/50 schedule means that the child spends half his time with one parent and half with the other.
• The 60/40 schedule is almost the same as parenting time, but one parent has 60% of the time with the child and the other 40%.

What are the benefits of having a 50/50 or 60/40 schedule?

• The biggest benefit is that your child is still an important part of both parents’ lives.
• The child knows that he is loved.
• It is easier for the child to transition to divorce because he still sees both parents frequently.
• Parents also feel comfortable knowing that they will continue to be a part of their child’s daily life.
• The child has a certain coherence in his life because he usually stays in the same area, lives in the same house and can participate in the same activities.

What are some of the possible qualifications for having a 50/50 or 60/40 schedule?

• The biggest problem with these schedules is that both parents live close to each other. These schedules will not work if the parents live further apart.
• Parents should leave their old relationship behind and commit to a good co-parenting relationship.
• Both parents must have a stable home environment.

Why might a person choose one schedule over another?

• Both schedules are very similar and almost any schedule can be adjusted to suit your needs. However, there are a few reasons why you can choose one plan over another.
• A 60/40 plan can be chosen because it is decided that one of the parents should have a slightly higher percentage of time. This could be due to work, decisions about the physical custody of the child, the child staying a little longer in the home they are used to, etc.
• Often times, a 50/50 plan is chosen when both parents are fully committed to the child and working together equally for the benefit of the child.

What do I do once a 50/50 or 60/40 schedule is decided?

• Now that you know what percentage of time you and the other parent will spend with your child, it is time to determine the actual time the child will spend with each parent. This is often known as a parenting plan.
• There are many resources you can use to develop your parenting plan. You can ask your lawyer, mediator, do online research, use existing software programs, etc. Find out what options are available to help you create your parenting plan.
• There are many parenting plans that people have used in the past. For example, with 50/50 joint physical custody, you can use the “alternate week plan,” which causes the child to spend one week with you and the next with the other parent. Discover all the different types of schedules and choose the one that works best for your child, the other parent, and you.
• Submit your plan to court. If you and the other parent can agree on physical custody and a parenting plan, the court will generally follow your request. However, if you cannot reach an agreement, the court will decide what is best for the child and you will be stuck.

The 50/50 and 60/40 physical custody programs are great options for your child. They will be happy to be an important part of both parents’ lives. Make sure you are both committed to your child and working together for him.