One of the most common questions parents have in divorce and custody cases is: What does a typical parenting plan look like? While every family is different, there are several parenting schedules that come up over and over again in Connecticut family court. Below is an overview of the most common types of parenting plans in divorce and custody cases.
Contact our talented divorce attorneys today for a free consultation.
In many cases, one parent has primary physical custody, meaning the child lives primarily with that parent. The other parent typically has parenting time every other weekend, along with a mid-week dinner visit or overnight every week.
It doesn’t always have to be every other weekend. In some cases, the non-custodial parent may have parenting time every weekend. That said, weekends are considered “prime time” for parents and children, so courts and parents often prefer to alternate weekends so both parents have meaningful weekend time.
Shared physical custody schedules can be more complex. Two of the most common are the 2-2-3 schedule and the 2-2-5-5 schedule.
Under a 2-2-3 schedule:
The following week, the schedule flips so the parents alternate weekends. This creates frequent contact with both parents and works well for younger children.
Under a 2-2-5-5 schedule:
Put another way, each parent has the same weekdays every week, and weekends alternate. This provides consistency while still allowing equal parenting time.
Another option is an alternating-week schedule, where the child spends one full week with each parent, often exchanging on a Sunday. This is less common, particularly for younger children, because it can mean a parent goes a full week without seeing the child. Courts generally prefer schedules that allow for more frequent contact.
Parenting plans look very different when parents live far apart, such as in different states. In those cases, shared weekly schedules are not practical.
Instead, the long-distance parent typically has extended parenting time, such as:
While school breaks are often alternated evenly, long-distance parenting plans usually allocate more of those breaks to the parent who lives farther away.
In most cases, the regular parenting schedule is superseded by the holiday and vacation schedule. Parents typically alternate major holidays and school breaks from year to year.
For summer vacation, many agreements provide that each parent is entitled to:
These schedules can be customized, but these arrangements are among the most common.
Courts generally encourage more frequent, shorter visits for very young children, especially those under three years old. Even if one parent has primary physical custody, the non-custodial parent may have frequent daytime visits or short overnights.
As children get older—particularly into their teenage years—parenting plans often become more flexible. Older children have sports, school activities, jobs, and social lives, and agreements typically allow room for those realities.
Every family is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all parenting plan. The best schedule is one that serves the child’s best interests while allowing both parents to remain meaningfully involved.
If you have questions about the types of parenting plans in divorce and custody cases or need representation in a divorce or family law matter in Connecticut, feel free to contact our office.
N/a
