Legal Definitions - parenting time

Parenting time refers to the specific schedule and arrangements detailing when each parent will have physical custody of and spend time with their child or children. This term is commonly used in family law, particularly in cases of separation or divorce, to outline the specific periods—including overnights, holidays, and vacations—during which a child resides with or is under the care of a particular parent. It focuses on the actual time a parent spends engaging with and caring for their child, rather than just the legal right to see them.

Here are some examples illustrating parenting time:

• Example 1 (Standard Weekly Schedule): After their divorce, Sarah and Mark agree that Sarah will have their children from Monday morning until Wednesday evening, and Mark will have them from Wednesday evening until Monday morning. This rotating schedule, which includes specific drop-off and pick-up times, constitutes their agreed-upon parenting time arrangement.

  Explanation: This example illustrates a regular, recurring schedule for when each parent is physically responsible for the children, directly defining their respective parenting time over a typical week.

• Example 2 (Holiday Schedule): A court order specifies that for Thanksgiving, the children will spend odd-numbered years with their mother and even-numbered years with their father. For Christmas, they will spend the first half of the holiday break with one parent and the second half with the other, alternating annually. These specific holiday arrangements are part of the overall parenting time schedule.

  Explanation: This demonstrates how parenting time extends beyond routine weekly schedules to include significant holidays, ensuring both parents have structured time with their children during special occasions.

• Example 3 (Vacation Period): David and Emily, who share custody of their daughter Mia, have a court order stating that each parent is entitled to two uninterrupted weeks of vacation time with Mia during the summer months, provided they give the other parent 60 days' notice. This designated vacation period is a component of their established parenting time.

  Explanation: This example highlights how parenting time also encompasses extended periods, such as vacations, allowing parents to have longer, dedicated time with their children, often requiring advance planning and communication between the parents.