Custody arrangements, which are also referred to as parenting plans in California, are exactly what they sound like; an arrangement involving physical and legal custody of a child between two parents or guardians. Physical custody is typically granted to the parent whom the child will physically be living with, and arrangements can vary wildly between individual divorce cases. In contrast, legal custody refers to authority to make decisions on behalf of the child, and while arrangements can also be varied, California generally prefers assigning joint legal custody when possible.

Physical Custody and Schedule Arrangements

We have seen all sorts of physical custody arrangements worked out between divorcing parents, but there are a few general approaches that we regularly continue to see, and for good reason. These arrangements have proven effective in fostering amicable arrangements and, more importantly, tend to be designed with the needs of the child above all else.

One of these arrangements is referred to as the 2-2-3 schedule, which is where parents get two alternating weekdays, and the remaining three days are assigned to a different parent each week. This tends to be an effective plan when dealing with younger children and encourages a closer relationship between the child and each parent.

Another popular option, particularly amongst parents who live far apart from each other, is granting custody to one parent during the months when school is in session, and then alternating custody to the other parent during holidays, extended breaks, summer vacations, etc. This arrangement works when distance is a barrier, and can be further tweaked by allowing unlimited or additional visits from the non-custodial parent.

These plans are popular because they are often effective, but parents will usually further customize them to better match their needs, usually with the help of a legal professional. If you or someone you know is in need of legal counsel with a child custody arrangement matter, or any other type of family law or divorce matter, call Rubin & Levavi, P.C. at (415) 564-2776 to talk to one of our legal experts today.