Physical Custody (Parenting Time)
What This Page Covers
I clear overview of how courts structure parenting-time schedules, what factors influence the division of time, and how physical custody relates to a child's daily routines and stability.
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.​
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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.
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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:
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The child's age and developmental needs
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Each parent's availability and work schedule
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The history of caregiving and involvement
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School, childcare, medical, and activity routines
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The distance between parents' homes
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Each parent's ability to provide stability and safe transitions
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The child's relationship with each parent
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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:
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2-2-3 schedule ( rotation every 2-3 days)
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Week-on/week-off schedules for older children
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Every other weekend + midweek visits
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Alternating weeks with dinner visits or midweek overnights
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Graduated schedules that expand parenting time over months for infants or young toddlers.​
Courts prefer schedules that support stability, predictable routines, and regular contact with both parents.
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.