Is 50/50 Parenting Time Right for Your Family?

Divorce forces parents to make one of the hardest decisions of their lives: how much time they’ll spend with their child. It’s a deeply emotional choice, balancing what’s best for their child while remaining actively involved in their life. For many parents, it might be tempting to split their time 50-50 so neither has to miss out.

At Fout Law Office, Lead Attorney Teresa Fout has helped parents make difficult custody decisions like this since 2008. We have seen that a 50-50 parenting time split works wonders for some families yet fails for others. There is no single right answer, but understanding the basics can help you decide.

Here is what you should keep in mind if you are thinking about sharing parenting time equally:

• Equal parenting time can strengthen a child’s relationships with both parents.
• Ohio courts prioritize your child’s best interest, not just an exact 50/50 split.
• Equal parenting time looks a little different for everyone.
• Flexibility and clear communication are key to making equal parenting time successful.
• Child support obligations don’t necessarily disappear just because parenting time is equal.

Let’s go into more detail about what equal parenting time is and isn’t, so you can get a better idea if it may be right for your family.

How Can Equal Parenting Time Benefit My Child?

When a child spends significant time with both parents, they often gain a sense of security. Regular contact reduces the anxiety and confusion that can come from long separations. It allows both you and your co-parent to stay actively involved in daily life, from homework help to bedtime routines.

Key benefits often include:

• Emotional stability: Your child maintains a close bond with both parents.
• Shared responsibility: Both parents participate in milestones and daily tasks.
• Reduced bias: It minimizes feelings of favoritism or displacement.

Your child thrives when they know both parents are present, consistent, and cooperative. Understanding these benefits is important when considering whether an equal schedule will work for your family.

Do Ohio Courts Always Favor Equal Parenting Time?

Because of the many benefits that equal parenting time provides a child, you might assume that Ohio courts will automatically approve a 50-50 split. While courts generally believe that children benefit from having both parents involved, they also recognize that this is not always the case. That’s why a judge will look carefully at specific factors before approving an equal schedule. They must consider the child’s age, school schedule, and how close the parents live to each other.

Situations where equal time may not be awarded include:

• Long distances between homes that make school travel difficult.
• Work schedules that make shared custody impossible.
• One parent facing health limitations.
• Significant differences in caregiving ability.

The court’s goal is what is healthiest for your child, not just achieving a perfect division of hours. Your parenting plan won’t be approved quicker just because you take this route.

What Can Equal Parenting Time Look Like?

If you’re considering a 50-50 parenting time plan, it’s important to understand that equal parenting does not always mean a strict alternating week schedule. Families use many different arrangements to find a balance that suits their lives.

Common schedules include:

• Alternating weeks: Seven days with one parent, then seven days with the other.
• The 2-2-3 schedule: Two days with one parent, two with the other, then a long weekend.
• Split weekends or hybrid plans: Custom schedules designed around work shifts.

Even a slightly unequal schedule can still meet the goal of shared parenting, so don’t rule it out just because it’s not perfectly 50-50.

How Can We Make an Equal Parenting Schedule Work in Real Life?

Knowing your options for 50-50 parenting time is one thing; putting them into practice is another. Here is what you’ll need to be able to do to make equal parenting time successful:

• Keep hand-offs smooth and conflict-free.
• Maintain consistent rules for bedtimes and homework.
• Use shared calendars or co-parenting apps to track events.
• Create a written plan to minimize confusion.

If you don’t think you can co-parent effectively with your ex, you may need to consider a different division of parenting time.

How Does Equal Parenting Time Affect Child Support?

Many parents assume that a 50/50 parenting time split eliminates child support obligations. This is a common misconception. While the amount of time you spend with your child is part of the calculation, it is not the only factor.

Courts also look at:

• Income disparities between parents.
• Who pays for health insurance and school fees.
• Childcare costs.

Your parenting schedule and financial obligations are related but separate. Courts look at both to establish fairness for parents and stability for your child. If avoiding support obligations is an important goal, equal parenting time may not produce the result you expect.

Find the Right Path Forward for Your Family

A 50/50 parenting time schedule can be a positive solution for some families, but it is not a one-size-fits-all answer. The right parenting plan depends on your child’s needs, your ability to co-parent effectively, and what Ohio courts will view as serving your child’s best interests.

An experienced family law attorney can help you create a realistic, legally sound parenting plan that supports your child’s long-term stability. At Fout Law Office, we guide parents through these decisions with care and clarity. Contact us today to discuss the best path forward for your family.