Parents who are experiencing divorce, separation or a breakup will need to develop a formal parenting plan. One of the most important components of a thorough, useful and enforceable parenting plan is a parenting time schedule that considers your family’s needs and places the child(ren)’s best interests at the forefront. Sufficient time and thought should be devoted to the parenting schedule to help ensure a good fit.
The Colorado legislature has found that “in most circumstances, it is in the best interest of all parties to encourage frequent and continuing contact between each parent and the minor children of the marriage after the parents have separated or dissolved their marriage.”[1]
The foundation of a parenting time schedule is typically referred to as “regular parenting time.” There are a myriad of different parenting time schedules to consider depending upon the percentage of parenting time that each parent will exercise. Below are a few of the most common parenting schedules. In the examples below Parent A = Green, and Parent B = Red.
Equally shared (50/50) plans:
5-2-2-5 Plan
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
3-3-4-4 Plan
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
3-4-4-3 Plan
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
Week-on/Week-off Plan
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
Approximately 60/40 Parenting Plans:
4-3 Plan (156 overnights per year to Parent B)
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
Alternating weekends with mid-week overnight (130 overnights per year to Parent B)
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
80/20 Parenting Plan:
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
In choosing the best plan for your family you should consider: both parents’ work schedules, proximity of both parents’ homes to each other and to the child(ren)’s school and activities, the age(s) of the child(ren), and the child(ren)’s needs with respect to frequency of contact and frequency of transitions.
Generally, it is the best practice to include as much detail as possible in your parenting plan, including specific and consistent transition times and locations, identifying which parent is responsible for the child(ren)’s transportation, and defining methods of communication. Parents may agree to deviate from the plan from time to time; but having a well-written plan to fall back on is critical when disputes arise.
In addition to the regular parenting time schedule, parents should design a holiday schedule to include all important religious and secular holidays, birthdays, and school breaks. There is no universal holiday schedule that will fit every family; thus, it is important to ensure that your parenting schedule reflects your family’s individual practices and traditions.
A well-designed and comprehensive parenting plan will provide direction, consistency and predictability for both parents and their child(ren). If you need assistance with drafting a parenting plan that best fits your family’s needs, you should consult with a competent family law attorney.
Nicole Hanson
Hanson Law Firm, LLC
44 Cook St., Ste. 100 | Denver, CO 80206
Ph: 303.459.2393
www.nhansonlaw.com