Navigating the complexities of visitation and child custody schedules can be challenging for separated or divorced parents. Creating a custody and visitation schedule in North Carolina is essential to the parenting plan. This guide aims to clarify the different types of physical custody, detail the components of a custody arrangement, explore common schedules, and introduce other visitation arrangements to help parents make informed decisions prioritizing their child’s well-being.
Choosing a Type of Physical Custody
Physical custody determines with whom the child will primarily reside. In North Carolina, parents can select joint custody (the child splits time between both parents or the child mainly lives with one parent, with visitation for the other) or sole custody (the child lives with one parent, no visitation for the other), to best suit their child’s needs. The court will generally approve the arrangement agreed upon by the parents unless there are concerns about the child’s well-being. If parents cannot agree, the court will decide, typically favoring joint physical custody, if it’s in the child’s best interest.
Detailing Your Physical Custody Arrangement
A clear and detailed custody and visitation schedule helps children adapt using a structure that’s easiest for them. It should outline how parents divide time with their child during weekdays, weekends, school breaks, holidays, special occasions, and vacations. Incorporating a written schedule and a visual custody calendar can enhance understanding and compliance. Remember, holiday schedules take precedence over regular parenting time schedules, and considerations for vacation time should be addressed within the plan.
Common Schedules for Shared Time
Adapting popular visitation schedules to meet specific family needs is common. Here are examples that North Carolina courts often see and/or implement, provided they align with the child’s best interests:
- Alternating Weeks Schedule: A simple 50/50 custody arrangement where the child spends alternate weeks with each parent.
- 2-2-3 Schedule: This schedule offers a balanced 50/50 sharing, with the child spending two days with one parent, two with the other, and then three days back with the first parent, rotating each week.
- 4-3 Schedule: A 60/40 joint custody setup where the child spends four days with one parent and three days with the other.
- Every 3rd Weekend Schedule: This is an 80/20 custody arrangement, where the child resides with one parent and visits the other every third weekend.
- Every other weekend: This is where one parent has their child stay with them on alternate weekends in rotation.
Other Visitation Arrangements
In cases where the child’s safety is a concern due to issues like addiction or abuse, the court may order supervised visitation or limit parental time with the child. In some counties, North Carolina provides supervised visitation centers, offering a neutral and monitored environment for parent-child interactions.
The Easiest Way to Make a Schedule
Creating a comprehensive, legally sound custody and visitation schedule that prioritizes the child’s needs can seem daunting. Tools like the Our Family Wizard app simplify this process, allowing parents to easily create visual and written schedules. This ensures clarity and thoroughness, reducing potential conflicts and misunderstandings.
Final Thoughts on Child Custody Schedules in North Carolina
For North Carolina parents navigating the path of creating a custody and visitation schedule, considering the child’s unique needs is paramount. By understanding the options for physical custody, detailing the arrangement, considering common and specialized schedules, and leveraging helpful tools, parents can develop a plan that supports their child’s well-being and maintains a positive parenting relationship. Always remember to consult with legal professionals and the county court to ensure compliance with local rules and regulations.
Krista Stallard
Krista Stallard is an experienced family law attorney specializing in divorce and custody cases, passionate about alternative dispute resolution, and committed to providing excellent legal representation to her clients.
Are you navigating the complex journey of creating a child custody schedule in North Carolina? Remember, you're not alone. Stallard & Bellof is here to guide you through every twist and turn, ensuring your parenting plan aligns perfectly with your child's best interests.
