What is Parenting Time?

Children generally succeed when they have the emotional, financial support and ongoing involvement with their parents. Parenting time, helps children maintain a close relationship with both parents throughout their childhood after the parents get a divorce. Parenting time is a time arrangement that judges create, deciding the amount of time the child or children will spend with the parent who does not have custody (noncustodial parent). Parenting time is important for noncustodial parents, making sure noncustodial parents still receive valuable time with their child.

How is Parenting Time Determined?

Parenting time can be determined several different ways, depending on the cooperation from the parents and how the child’s custody was determined. In most cases the court will decide the amount of time the noncustodial parent will spend with the child during the calendar year. There are three major factors playing a role in the judges decision; the child’s age, the child’s safety and the child’s past relationship with the parents.

Generally non custodial parent will be granted 25% minimum, which equals about every other weekend and one day a week. The percentage of parenting time is calculated based on the number of overnights the child spends with the parent during each year. In some cases the child might not stay overnight at the parents but spends the day with the parent, the day spent together counts towards the 25%. In some situations the court may grant the parents with reasonable parenting time, meaning the parents figure out the visit times and places within the granted amount of time. But the court may set specific dates and times for the parents depending on the situation or if either parent asks.

Can Parenting Time be Changed or Altered?

When deciding parenting time, the focus is what is best for the child. Parenting time can be altered to more parenting time for the noncustodial parent to help the other parent out or make the schedule a better fit for the children or parents. But it also can be changed for negative behavior a parent has encountered in. Just like anything in life, all of your actions have consequences. Parenting time can be changed or alter to less then 25% of parenting time if the parent is likely to harm the child’s physical, emotional health or growth.

Divorce when children are involved: Parenting Time

Knowing your options and having a divorce lawyer trust worthy when it comes to determining parenting time is key to success. Jeddeloh & Snyder PA is a respectable and well know firm that works forcefully towards the most favorable results in your parenting time case. Contact us for an consultation today.

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