Your Parenting Plan: Custody Options to Consider

If you have children, you and your ex will need to finalize a custody agreement in addition to your divorce settlement. 

In years past, it was common for mothers, by default, to retain primary custody of the children. This is rarely the case anymore, and modern-day custody schedules have evolved to reflect this.

A lot of factors determine the best custody schedule for you and your family, but the most important one is and will always be your child or children’s best interests. Which means that schedule may change over time, as they get older and their needs and interests shift and expand. 

For now, however, it's best to get something in place, to avoid unnecessary friction and to provide your children with clarity and stability. The following schedules are among the more common ones I see with my clients; however, you and your ex-spouse are free to define whatever custody schedule works for you.

The goal is to craft a parenting plan that is as flexible or as rigid as you need. While one couple may have a good co-parenting relationship that allows for changes and adjustments, another couple may need a specific and defined plan that both parents follow to the letter. There is no right or wrong schedule. The best schedule is the one that works.

Shared-custody schedules

Shared custody means each parent has the children at least 40 percent of the time. Here are the most common ones.

2-2-5-5

2-2-3-3