When parents create a visitation schedule, it should be one that works for both parents as well as the child. Alternating weekends are an option and work for many parents. In this arrangement, children will live with the custodial parent and spend alternating weekends with the non-custodial parent. Most visits begin on Friday evenings and end on Sunday evenings. This is an option that works well for parents who are newly separated and who are trying to adjust to spending time away from their kids.
Parents who live within a short distance of each other might benefit from making a schedule that includes letting the child spend one night during the week with the non-custodial parent as well as alternating weekends. The child could spend a few hours with the non-custodial parent one evening if the child doesn’t spend the entire night. Sometimes, parents who get along well with each other can arrange their schedules so that the weekend visitation is extended to Monday instead of ending on Sunday. This is an option for those who might travel for work on the weekends or have other obligations.
An overnight visitation in the middle of the week as well as every other weekend is close to equal time with both parents because the child will usually be at school during the day. Most overnight visits during the week begin on Wednesday evening and end on Thursday morning.
When parents do not agree with the visitation schedule or have schedules that don’t follow the typical times of visitations, a family law attorney may discuss what can be done to satisfy the desires and the requirements of everyone involved. Once a schedule is made, the attorney may help file the paperwork with the court to ensure that both parents abide by the times that are set forth.
