What You Need To Know About Timesharing In Child Custody Cases

One of the contentious issues in a divorce is child custody. When the court is ruling on child custody, it must determine how the parents will spend time with the child. A timeshare arrangement describes how a child will spend time with each parent. Engage a child custody lawyer to improve your chances of getting a favorable ruling on timesharing. Here are some essential facts on timesharing in child custody cases.

Calculating Timesharing

Timesharing calculations are based on each parent's availability, work schedule, and financial status. The court's decision is focused on the best interests of the child. 

If the parents have the same lifestyle, timesharing might be similar. In this case, child support may not be included. However, if one parent spends more time with the child, the amount of child support will be higher for the non-custodial parent. 

Changing a Timeshare Arrangement

Once you create a timeshare arrangement, it is legally binding. The only way you can change it is if you go back to court. For the court to approve your request, your child custody attorney should prove that the circumstances of your life have changed.

The court will review your request and make a ruling based on the best interests of the child. However, you and your ex-spouse can make changes to the arrangement without going to court. This arrangement can only be legally binding if you go to court to claim that the other parent went against the terms of the agreement.

Types of Timesharing Arrangements

There are three typical timesharing arrangements: 50/50 custody, two weekends per month, and alternating weekends and holidays. In the 50/50 custody, the parents split the right to custody by half. Therefore, in any given year, the parents will have spent equal time with the child. For example, the child may live with one parent 3 days one week and then with the same parent four days the following week.

In cases where both parents are not around half of the time, the ideal arrangement is for the non-custodial parent to be with the child two weekends a month. Sometimes timesharing arrangements involve holidays and summer breaks. Parents get to choose which holidays they will spend with their child.

In Conclusion

Timesharing arrangements can be unsatisfactory if you fail to anticipate your schedule and issues that may arise in the future. Remember, the more time your ex-spouse spends with the child, the more money you will be required to pay for child custody. Seek the counsel of your family lawyer to determine which arrangement best suits your circumstances.


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