Physical Custody (Parenting Time)

What Physical Custody Means

Physical custody refers to where a child lives and how much time they spend with each parent. it includes regular weekly schedules, overnights, transitions, holidays, school breaks, and daily routines.

Courts may use terms like "parenting time", "possession", or "time sharing" but they all describe the same concept: the child's time with each parent.

Physical custody does not determine decision-making authority - that is handled under legal custody.

How Courts Determine Parenting Time

Courts consider several factors when creating or approving a parenting-time schedule, including:

The child's age and developmental needs
Each parent's availability and work schedule
The history of caregiving and involvement
School, childcare, medical, and activity routines
The distance between parents' homes
Each parent's ability to provide stability and safe transitions
The child's relationship with each parent

For a general overview of how parenting-time schedules are structured in a court-approved parenting plan, see our guide to Creating a Parenting Plan. Most courts aim to maintain meaningful and consistent contact with both parents when it is safe and appropriate.

Common Parenting Time Schedules

While schedules vary widely based on circumstances, some of the most common include:

2-2-3 schedule ( rotation every 2-3 days)
Week-on/week-off schedules for older children
Every other weekend + midweek visits
Alternating weeks with dinner visits or midweek overnights
Graduated schedules that expand parenting time over months for infants or young toddlers.

Many courts reference considerations such as stability, predictable routines, and consistent contact with both parents when evaluating schedules.

What This Means for You

Physical custody shapes the child's weekly life - from school mornings and bedtime routines to extracurriculars, and holidays. Understanding how courts evaluate parenting-time decisions can help parents propose schedules that align with their child's needs and best interest-standard.