After a divorce, you and your ex-spouse are unlikely to live in the same home, and in this situation, a time-sharing arrangement needs to be made. A time-sharing arrangement is a schedule that allows both parents to spend time with the child. Here’s what you need to know about different timesharing arrangements, their advantages and their disadvantages.
What Is a 2-3-2 Time-Sharing Arrangement?
A 2-3-2 time-sharing arrangement is a schedule that allows one parent to spend time with the child two days of the week, the other parent spends three days of the week with the child, then the child returns to the first parent for two days. The parents switch roles during the next week.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a 2-3-2 Time-Sharing Arrangement?
Pros
- Children can spend time with both parents
- Children will not go long periods without seeing the other parent
- This schedule can easily be implemented and structured
- This schedule works well with unusual employment schedules
- Both parents have equal time with the children, which reduces conflict
- This schedule is great for children who are not in school
Cons
- The frequent exchanges of this schedule require time and planning
- Children may not do well with the frequent changing of homes
- Parents have to communicate a lot, which can be an issue if both parents are not on good terms
- Parents have to live close to each other
What Is a 2-5-5-2 Time-Sharing Arrangement?
A 2-5-5-2 time-sharing arrangement is a schedule to ensure both parents spend equal time with the child. With this specific time-sharing arrangement, the child will spend two days with one parent, five days with the other parent, five days with the first parent, and two days with the other parent. This co-parenting agreement may work well for some families and be complete chaos for others.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a 2-5-5-2 Time-Sharing Arrangement?
Pros
- Parents can spend fewer days in a row without their children
- This parenting schedule can be flexible
- This arrangement works well with younger children
- Promotes structured shared custody
- Allows parents to better plan and predict their schedules
Cons
- Frequent transitions can become too much for one or both parents over time
- Children may struggle to adjust to the frequent changes
- Maintaining homework and extracurricular activities on a reasonable schedule can be a challenge
What Is a One Week On, One Week Off Time-Sharing Arrangement?
The one week on, one week off arrangement is a 50/50 time-sharing plan where both parents can remain active in their child’s life even though they do not live together. This schedule allows for the child to spend one week with one parent and the next week with the other parent. The one week on, one week off time-sharing schedule is the most common with co-parenting.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a One Week On, One Week Off Time-Sharing Arrangement?
Pros
- Helps create a consistent schedule
- Simple to create and follow
- Reduced number of changeovers
- Parents can spend an extended amount of time with the child
- Works well with pre-teens and teens
Cons
- Children will go an entire week without seeing the other parent
- This plan may upset younger children because they don’t understand why both parents can’t be present at the same time
- Schedule equal time during the holidays and other special occasions can be difficult
How Can Bergman Family Law Help?
Bergman Family Law can help parents create co-parenting schedules that best suit their needs by providing them with accurate information, allowing them to make knowledge-based decisions. This law firm specializes in the dissolution of marriage, post-judgment modifications, paternity, pre-nuptial agreements and domestic violence. Bergman Family Law proudly offers its services to Miami and surrounding areas. Contact me today to claim your 15-minute Zoom consultation.
