Legal Definitions - shared parenting

Shared parenting refers to a legal and practical arrangement following a separation or divorce where both parents actively participate in the upbringing and care of their children. This arrangement typically involves both parents having significant time with the children (often referred to as shared physical custody) and jointly making important decisions about their children's lives, such as education, healthcare, and religious upbringing (known as shared legal custody). The primary goal of shared parenting is to ensure that children maintain strong, meaningful relationships with both parents.

Here are some examples illustrating shared parenting:

• Example 1: Weekly Rotation Schedule

  After their divorce, Maria and David agreed to a shared parenting plan for their two elementary-aged children. Under this arrangement, the children spend one week living with Maria and the following week living with David. For major decisions like school enrollment, medical treatments, or participation in extracurricular activities, Maria and David communicate and make choices together. This ensures both parents are equally involved in the children's daily lives and long-term development.

  This example illustrates shared parenting because the children spend substantial, roughly equal time with both parents (shared physical custody), and both parents collaborate on significant decisions concerning their children's welfare (shared legal custody).

• Example 2: Mid-Week Exchange with Alternating Weekends

  Sarah and Tom, who live in the same school district, have a shared parenting agreement for their middle schooler. The child lives with Sarah from Monday morning until Wednesday evening, then transitions to Tom's home from Wednesday evening until Friday morning. Weekends alternate between Sarah and Tom. They regularly meet or call to discuss the child's academic progress, any behavioral issues, and upcoming social events, making joint decisions on these matters.

  This demonstrates shared parenting through a different schedule that still provides both parents with significant time and involvement during the week and on weekends. Their joint decision-making further reinforces the shared legal custody aspect of the arrangement.

• Example 3: Flexible Arrangement for Teenagers

  When their children became teenagers, Lisa and Ben adjusted their shared parenting plan. While the children still have bedrooms at both homes, their schedule became more flexible, allowing them to move between residences based on school projects, part-time jobs, and social commitments, ensuring they spend roughly equal time with each parent over the course of a month. Lisa and Ben regularly consult on significant decisions such as college applications, obtaining a driver's license, and major health choices, respecting the teenagers' input while ultimately making joint parental decisions.

  This example shows shared parenting adapting to the evolving needs of older children, maintaining the core principles of significant time with both parents and joint decision-making, even with a more fluid schedule.