Joint Parenting Time

Joint parenting is more commonly known as joint custody. There are two types of custody, physical custody and legal custody. Physical custody has to do with the day-to-day care of the child while legal custody refers to the decision-making for the child. Joint parenting time typically refers to joint physical custody. It is important to know the difference between these two types of custody because both must be defined in your child custody and visitation agreement.

How should joint parenting time be distributed?

Many people believe that joint parenting time is split 50/50 when in reality this is rarely the case. Technically, both co-parents have physical custody over the child, but in most cases, joint parenting time can be split 60/40, 70/30 or whatever else works for your family. When creating your child custody and visitation agreement, it is important to discuss with your co-parent how this time should be allocated between the two of you and how that also might affect your child. Holidays are another important part of joint parenting time. You must clearly define how the holidays will be split between you and your co-parent in your child custody and visitation schedule. One recommendation for this would be to create a list of all of the holidays ranking in order of importance. You and your co-parent can decide which holidays are more important than others and then split them evenly among the two of you. For more information on creating your own visitation agreement and schedule check out these Parenting Plan Worksheets for Co-Parents.

Joint parenting time can be a difficult thing to manage

Joint parenting time can cause a lot of stress and headache, especially if you’re new to your joint parenting time schedule. Compared to other forms of physical custody, joint parenting time can create more work with the constant exchanges, transportation time, and additional costs because of them. There are many tools and resources on the Internet that are making things much easier for you.

The OurFamilyWizard website® offers an array of tools to help co-parent with managing their joint parenting time. The most helpful tool in the list is definitely the OurFamilyWizard Custody Calendar. This online tool allows co-parents to create their own customized joint parenting time schedule in minutes. This co-parenting tool also allows for holidays to be split, special events, and even for joint parenting time trades to be made between you and your co-parent. Everything that is created within the calendar acts as accurate and truthful documentation whenever it is needed.

Another great tool that can help co-parents to manage their joint parenting time is the OurFamilyWizard Expense Log. This feature allows you to make online payments for your shared expenses with your co-parent from your checking or savings account. You can also track all of your shared expenses as each transaction is individually marked with the date and timestamp, making it safe and reliable, while the approval process ensures accuracy.

For more information on how the OurFamilyWizard website® can help you to manage your joint parenting time feel free to visit the Joint Custody page.