What You Need to Know about Making a Parenting Time Schedule in California
A parenting time schedule is the parents’ written agreement on how to divide the child’s time between parents. A parenting time schedule can also include a general idea of daily routines or activities. Here’s how to make a parenting time schedule in California.
A parenting time schedule is a court order when it is signed by both parents, approved by a judge, and filed with the court. A parenting time schedule should always be in the best interests of the children involved to make the transition easier for them. Parents should consider several factors when constructing a parenting time schedule to make sure that the child is always their first priority.
Related: How The Child’s Best Interests Are Determined in California
Factors to Consider When Making a Parenting Time Schedule
When parents are considering constructing a parenting time schedule, they should keep in mind the following:
1. Prioritize the basic needs of the child.
This includes meals, adequate medical care, shelter, rest, and guidance.
2. Consider the age of the child, their cognitive development stage, their personality, and their interests.
It is important to adjust the parenting time schedule to the children, not to the interests of the parents.
3. Plan for the child to have consistent times with both parents/guardians.
Consider the child’s schedule with each parent for day-to-day care, holidays, overnight stays, and vacations. Maintaining contact with both parents will help the child adjust better to the parenting time schedule.
Related: How to Make a Child Visitation Schedule in California
4. Make a parenting time schedule that has enough detail.
It is important that parenting time schedules are as detailed as possible to avoid misinterpretation and facilitate enforcement.
5. Give the child a daily routine.
A daily routine will provide a sense of security and reliability for the child.
Other Important Considerations
It is also important that the parents are willing to be flexible with the parenting time schedule. Situations such as illness, family emergencies, or spontaneous after-school activities may arise, and it is important for parents to put the needs of their child before the parenting time schedule.
Parents should use the calendar to their advantage. They should plan out the dates on which they are responsible for the child and work with the other parent to make adjustments to the calendar when needed. Parents should also observe how their child reacts to the parenting time schedule, and adjust as needed.
If parents cannot agree about something in the parenting time schedule, it is important for them to communicate respectfully. Parents should not involve their child in disagreements about the schedule; rather, parents should try and work things out with the interests of their child in mind and change the schedule accordingly.
What Should Be Included in a Parenting Time Schedule
A parenting time schedule should include the following documents:
- Supervised Visitation Order
- Child Abduction Prevention Order Attachment
- Children’s Holiday Schedule
- Physical Custody Attachment
- Joint Legal Custody Attachment
It is important to make sure that the parenting time schedule includes both physical and legal custody. Physical custody refers to where the children live and spend their time. Legal custody refers to which parent or if both parents make important decisions for the child, including medical care, schooling, and emergency care.
Steps to Writing a Parenting Time Schedule
1. Fill out the proper court forms.
- Stipulation and Order for Custody and/or Visitation of Children (Form FL-355)
- Child Custody and Visitation Order Attachment (Form FL-341)
Other helpful forms that a parent may wish to use are:
- Children’s Holiday Schedule Attachment (Form FL-341(C))
- Additional Provisions — Physical Custody Attachment (Form FL-341(D))
- Joint Legal Custody Attachment (Form FL-341(E))
2. Sign the stipulation.
3. Have forms reviewed by the court.
4. Make copies of all forms.
5. Get a judge to sign the stipulation.
6. File forms with the court clerk.
Contact Us
If you need help making a parenting time schedule in California, contact us. Get your free consultation with one of our California Family Law Attorneys today!