What Are the Most Common Parenting Time Schedules Used in Georgia?

When parents of minor children don’t live together, they should cooperate to create a workable schedule that allows each one to have frequent, meaningful contact with their son or daughter. What many people refer to as visitation is known as parenting time under Georgia law and by hiring an experienced family law attorney, you can identify what arrangement works best for everyone involved. 

Many factors should be considered when negotiating visitation terms, including the age of the children, the distance between parents’ homes and everyone’s work and school schedules. While each situation is unique, some of the most common parenting time schedule options include the following: 

• Every other weekend — The most traditional visitation arrangement might be one where the child spends every other weekend at the noncustodial parent’s home. This simplifies school attendance, particularly if the parents live a considerable distance from each other. However, a noncustodial mother or father might feel that this schedule does not allow them to spend enough time with their child.
• The 2-2-3 schedule — In some cases, mothers and fathers don’t want to be away from their children for very long and the circumstances allow for frequent transitions between homes. For these situations, a 2-2-3 schedule might be the best fit. A child spends two days of each school week in each home and then alternates weekends between parents. So Monday after school, the child goes to their mother’s home, then to their father’s after school Wednesday, then back to their mother’s after school Friday for the weekend and to their father’s on the next Monday.
• Alternating weeks — Parents who want to reduce the number of transitions sometimes choose to have their son or daughter stay in each home for a week at a time. For school-age children whose parents do not live in close proximity, this option might be used in the summer. 

Remember, these are just a few of the common parenting time schedules used in Georgia. It is essential to consult with an experienced family law attorney to discuss your specific situation and create a parenting plan that best suits the needs of your child and your family.

At the Law Office of S. Mark Mitchell, LLC, I understand the complexities of child custody arrangements and am dedicated to helping families navigate this process with thoughtfulness and compassion. Please call 470-344-8550 or contact me online for a consultation. My office is in Newnan.