Often, the terms shared parenting and joint custody are used interchangeably.8 However, in a true joint custody situation, both parents split parenting time in roughly proportionate shares, which can be difficult for both children and parents in some instances in terms of scheduling and logistics.9 Shared parenting, however, generally does not require a fifty-fifty split in parenting time.10 Though more equal parenting time is common, one of the primary attributes of shared parenting is the right to share equally in decisions regarding the child.11
Several state laws presume that shared parenting is in the best interests of the child.12 All states allow for shared parenting plans when both parents seek them and the court approves.13 For shared parenting to work, both parents should be able to communicate well with each other in order to make mutual decisions about their child.14
[1] Findlaw, Shared Parenting vs. Sole Custody (2015), http://family.findlaw.com/paternity/shared-parenting-vs-sole-custody.html (last visited Aug 26, 2015).
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Id.
[6] Id.
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] Id.
[10] Id.
[11] Id.
[12] Id.
[13] Id.
[14] Id.
