In a California divorce, when parents separate, the court or the parents themselves must develop a parenting plan that outlines the custody and visitation arrangements for the children. The goal is to ensure that both parents remain involved in their children’s lives while providing the child with a stable environment. While each family situation is unique, certain parenting plan schedules are commonly used in California divorce cases, depending on factors like the children’s age, the parents’ proximity to each other, and their ability to communicate and cooperate.
Here are some common parenting plan schedules used in California divorce cases:
1. 50/50 Equal Time Sharing
This schedule is often ideal when both parents live close to each other, and both are highly involved in the child’s life. It aims to give each parent substantial, equal time with the children.
Common Schedules:
- Week On/Week Off: The child spends an entire week with each parent. This is most effective when parents live near each other and the child can adjust to the routine.
- 2-2-5-5: The child alternates every two days for the first four days of the week (e.g., Monday and Tuesday with Parent A, Wednesday and Thursday with Parent B), then spends five days with one parent (e.g., Friday to Tuesday with Parent A), and the other parent for the following five days (e.g., Wednesday to Sunday with Parent B). This provides a balance of time with both parents each week.
- Alternating Weeks with Midweek Visits: The child spends one week with each parent, but each parent also gets a midweek visit (e.g., Wednesday evening to stay in touch).
2. Standard Weekends with Weekdays with One Parent
This schedule is common when one parent has primary physical custody, and the other parent has visitation rights primarily on weekends.
Details:
- Weekdays: The child lives with Parent A (the custodial parent) during the school week (Monday to Friday).
- Weekend: Parent B (the noncustodial parent) has the child from Friday evening to Sunday evening, alternating weekends or scheduled weekends.
- Midweek Visitation: Parent B may have the child for a short midweek visit, such as a dinner or overnight stay on a weekday, to maintain a connection.
3. 2-2-3 Schedule
This arrangement provides equal time between parents but requires frequent transitions. It’s often used for younger children who may need more frequent contact with both parents.
Details:
- Week 1: Parent A has the child for Monday and Tuesday; Parent B has the child for Wednesday and Thursday; Parent A has the child for the weekend (Friday to Sunday).
- Week 2: The schedule switches, with Parent B having the child for Monday and Tuesday; Parent A has the child for Wednesday and Thursday; Parent B has the child for the weekend.
4. 3-4-4-3 Schedule
This schedule splits the child’s time between parents in a way that gives each parent longer periods of time but still provides equal time over two weeks.
Details:
- Week 1: Parent A has the child for the first three days (e.g., Monday to Wednesday), and Parent B has the child for the next four days (Thursday to Sunday).
- Week 2: Parent A has the child for the next four days (Monday to Thursday), and Parent B has the child for the final three days (Friday to Sunday).
This allows for longer stretches of time with each parent, which can be beneficial for certain family dynamics.
5. Every Other Weekend with Midweek Visits
In this schedule, one parent (often the custodial parent) has the child during the weekdays, while the noncustodial parent has visitation every other weekend.
Details:
- Weekdays: The child stays with Parent A during the school week (Monday to Friday).
- Weekends: Parent B has the child from Friday evening to Sunday evening, every other weekend.
- Midweek Visit: Parent B may have a midweek visit, such as a dinner or overnight stay, typically one evening per week to maintain regular contact.
6. Nesting (Birdnesting)
Nesting is a less common but increasingly popular arrangement where the child stays in the family home, and the parents take turns living in the home with the child. The parents may rotate in and out of the home on a set schedule.
Details:
- The child stays in the same home during the divorce process and afterward, with parents rotating in and out of the home according to a schedule (e.g., one parent may live there during the week, while the other stays on weekends).
- This option requires a high level of cooperation between parents and can be difficult to maintain over time, but it helps minimize disruption for the child.
7. Alternate Holidays and Special Occasions
Regardless of the regular parenting plan, parents will need to decide how to handle special occasions like holidays, birthdays, and other significant events.
Common Arrangements:
- Holidays: Parents typically alternate major holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s. One parent may have the child for Thanksgiving one year, and the other parent has them the next year.
- Birthdays and Other Special Days: Parents may split the time for the child’s birthday or other significant family events, with one parent having the child on the first half of the day and the other on the second half, or alternate the years.
8. Summer Vacation Schedule
The summer break often requires a separate, extended parenting plan to ensure that both parents can spend quality time with the child during their time off from school.
Details:
- One parent may have the child for a longer period, such as four to six weeks, during the summer.
- The parents may agree to split the summer into blocks of time (e.g., Parent A has the child for the first half of the summer, and Parent B has the child for the second half).
9. Flexible Co-Parenting Schedule
In some cases, particularly where parents can effectively communicate and cooperate, a flexible schedule may be adopted. This may involve a less structured approach, with regular check-ins to determine when the child will spend time with each parent.
Details:
- The parents work together to agree on a weekly or monthly schedule, adjusting visitation as needed based on each other’s work schedules, children’s extracurricular activities, and other factors.
- This type of schedule is often used by parents with good communication and minimal conflict.
Key Factors Considered in California Parenting Plans:
- Best Interests of the Child: California courts base custody decisions on the child’s best interests, considering factors such as the child’s age, emotional ties to each parent, the ability of each parent to provide for the child’s needs, and any history of abuse or domestic violence.
- Parents’ Proximity: The closer the parents live to each other, the easier it is to share equal time with the child and implement flexible schedules.
- Parental Cooperation: If parents can cooperate and communicate effectively, they may agree to a more flexible, customized parenting plan.
- Child’s Age and Needs: Younger children may require more frequent transitions between parents, while older children may have more stability and desire for longer periods of time with each parent.
Ultimately, the specific parenting plan will vary based on each family’s unique circumstances. In California, a well-crafted plan that emphasizes the child’s best interests and includes provisions for flexibility, holidays, and special occasions can promote a more harmonious co-parenting relationship post-divorce.
