Arizona law encourages parents going through a divorce to develop a parenting plan that includes a parenting time schedule, allowing both parents to remain actively involved in their child’s life. These schedules typically establish regular weekday and weekend routines while also addressing holidays, school breaks, vacations, birthdays, and other special occasions.
Arizona law encourages parents going through a divorce to develop a parenting plan that includes a parenting time schedule, allowing both parents to remain actively involved in their child’s life.
While creating a parenting schedule may seem simple on the surface, it is often one of the more challenging aspects of a child custody case. Each parent must balance their own needs, work responsibilities, and daily routines, which can become especially challenging when emotions are running high. At the same time, the focus must remain on what is best for the child.
At Shaffer Family Law, our attorneys guide clients through these important decisions, helping craft custody arrangements that support a child’s stability and well-being while reflecting each family’s unique circumstances. Continue reading to learn more about some of the most commonly used parenting time schedules.
Common Parenting Time Schedules in Arizona: Which Is Right for Your Family?
Every family is unique, which means there is no one-size-fits-all solution. What fits one household may not be practical or effective for another.
- Equal Parenting Time (50/50)
- Alternating Weeks: Each parent has the child for a full week before switching. Simple and easy to follow, it provides longer, uninterrupted time with each parent, helping promote stability and consistency.
- 2-2-3 Schedule: The child spends 2 days with one parent, 2 days with the other, and then 3 days with the first parent, rotating weekly. This promotes frequent, consistent contact with both parents and is often well-suited for younger children who benefit from regular interaction.
- 2-2-5-5 Schedule: The child spends 2 days with one parent, 2 days with the other, then 5 days with each parent on a repeating cycle. This works well for school-aged children because it reduces transitions and supports a more predictable routine.
- Primary Residential Parent Schedule
- Alternating Weekends with a Midweek Visit: The child primarily lives with one parent and spends every other weekend plus one midweek visit or overnight with the other parent. These schedules are often used when parents live farther apart or have demanding jobs.
- 60/40 Schedule: One parent has the child approximately 60% of the time, while the other has about 40%. In most cases, this means the child spends four days per week with one parent and three days with the other.
- 70/30 Schedule: One parent has the child approximately 70% of the time, while the other has about 30%. This option can be structured in different ways, including weekday/weekend splits or longer block arrangements, such as two weeks with one parent followed by one week with the other.
Arizona Child Custody Lawyer for Parenting Time and Custody Disputes
As you can see, there are a variety of options available, and these are just some of the most commonly used. Families can also create customized arrangements based on their unique commitments and circumstances.
However, both parties must first agree on a parenting plan. If they are unable to reach an agreement, the matter may be submitted to the court, which will determine a plan based on what is in the child’s best interests. Read our blog, How Parenting Time Works in Arizona Child Custody Cases, to learn more.
Finding the right parenting time schedule can feel overwhelming, but it is one of the most important steps in building a stable future for your child. Reaching that outcome requires careful planning, thoughtful consideration and a willingness to cooperate.
At Shaffer Family Law, we are committed to helping parents move forward with practical solutions that protect their rights and support their child’s well-being. Whenever possible, we work to resolve matters amicably, but we are fully prepared to advocate for you in court when litigation becomes necessary. If you already have a parenting plan that needs modification, we can assist you in pursuing those changes.
Call us at (480) 470-3030 or request an appointment online to schedule your consultation.
Sources:
https://www.ourfamilywizard.com/blog/parenting-schedules-how-build-plan-works-your-family