What is a parent’s first concern when they face a divorce? Their children, of course. Parents do not want to imagine a home without them, even for a brief time. Yet, divorcing parents must negotiate child custody and divide time with their children.
For fairness’ sake, many parents who will share custody wish to divide parenting time equally, with a 50/50 schedule. But they may worry if it is even possible to truly maintain an equal division of parenting time.
Can you have a 50/50 custody schedule?
Of course it is possible to divide parenting time equally. After all, you have certain rights as a parent in North Carolina, which include maintaining time with your child and having them in your care. Both parents have these rights, and both parents are equal in the eyes of the law. The law does not favor one parent over the other in custody cases, contrary to popular myths.
The larger question will be whether or not an equal division of parenting time is truly feasible for your family’s situation and needs.
Parents must still be realistic about custody schedules
You and your ex-spouse may completely agree that you want to divide your time with your child equally. However, making a 50/50 parenting time schedule actually work will take careful consideration in the planning phase and in action.
From when you first begin negotiating the terms of your custody arrangement to actually navigating custody in real life, you must be realistic. It will be critical to:
- Honestly evaluate your family’s needs and circumstances to establish a custody arrangement that actually works for your family.
- Carefully consider your child’s needs in these situations, as their needs come first. As the North Carolina Judicial Branch notes, parents do have rights and should obtain a fair agreement, but their child’s best interests take priority in child custody matters.
- Assess your schedules and the logistics. How close you and your ex-spouse live to each other, each of your work schedules and your child’s schedule will all be important factors you must consider as you determine your child custody arrangement – especially if your goal is to divide custody 50/50.
As you can see, there are many factors that will go into creating your parenting schedule. The biggest factor in making this 50/50 split work? That will be you and your ex-spouse’s commitment to maintaining your arrangement and supporting your child’s needs as they grow.