|
APPLICATION: These guidelines apply when the court order gives the
non-custodial parent rights of "reasonable (and liberal) parenting
time." 1. Reasonable:
(A) Alternate Weekends: This means
from Friday at 6:00 p.m. to Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
(B) Alternate Holidays: A holiday
is one day, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 6:00 p.m.
Holidays are: New
Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve Day
(C) Parent's Day: Child/ren with
mom on Mother's Day, with dad on Father's Day, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(D) Christmas and Spring School Breaks:
Either split each 50/50 or alternate each year.
E)
Summer Parenting Time: 4 weeks. If the four weeks are
consecutive, then the custodial parent has the right to a weekend
parenting time in the midst of this period, provided this is in the
child's best interest. For example, if non-custodial parent has planned
this period as an out-of-town camping trip, it is unreasonable to insist
child must not go, so custodial parent can visit for a weekend.
Similarly, if child is very young, intervening weekend with custodial
parent may be very important for the child's stability. If the four
weeks are non-consecutive, then, generally, there would be no right to
parenting time by the custodial parent. However, if the child is very
young, a mid-week visit of approximately two hours would be recommended.
Note: Regarding Parenting Time Abatement: For
purposes of calculating summer parenting time abatement credit, the
non-custodial parent will be credited for the period he or she has the
child, and the fact that the custodial parent had a weekend visit will
not apply. For example, if the non-custodial parent has the child for
four consecutive weeks, and the custodial parent has a weekend visit,
the FOC will not subtract that weekend from the total of non-custodial
parent's four weeks.
2. Liberal:
Add two visits during the week, generally 5:30 p.m. to 7:30
p.m.
3.
Transportation: Parents share this responsibility
equally and should do so within 30 minutes of the scheduled times. For
example, the non-custodial parent picks the children up at the start of
the parenting time and the custodial parent picks the children up at the
conclusion of the parenting time.
4. Addresses:
If the non-custodial parent has parenting time rights,
custodial parent has right to know his/her address. Generally, both
parents should have each other's telephone numbers, as well as the phone
number for the place of visitation. However, prior telephone harassment
in the case may indicate otherwise.
Note:The above are to serve as guidelines.
Parties are free to choose their own times, special days (such as
Halloween, children's birthdays etc.,) for the best interests of their
children. |