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Reasonable Rights of Parenting Time Policy
Revised October 20, 2013
Reasonable Rights of Parenting Time Policy for Orders Entered on & After September 1, 2013
The Court Order will normally define the hours and conditions for parenting time. In some cases, the Court Order will provide for Reasonable Parenting Time.
The term reasonable means whatever the parties can agree upon, which is in the best interest of the children.
The Court strongly encourages the parents to communicate to develop their own arrangements, which will take into consideration the unique circumstances of their family and can be changed from time to time. As the children grow and parents’ circumstances change, there will need to be flexibility in the parenting time schedule.
If you consider what is enjoyable to the children rather than convenient or fair to you, your decision will probably be made in keeping with the children’s best interests.
Parenting Time Schedule Guidelines
At times, parents may be unable to agree on a reasonable parenting time schedule. When this occurs, the Court, through the Friend of the Court office, will become involved. The following guidelines shall serve as an order for the parties to follow for parenting time. At times, the guidelines may have to be altered or limited due to special conditions of the children or the parents.
If your order sets forth a specified parenting time schedule, that order will determine your parenting time schedule.
Parenting Schedule for Children Younger Than Two Years
- Alternate weekends, Saturday 9 a.m. until Sunday at 6 p.m.
- Two weekday evenings each week for two hours with a return time no later than 8 p.m.
Alternate Holidays
Children under two shall have holiday parenting time for the day and one overnight of the specific holiday from 9 a.m. the day of the holiday to the following day at 6 p.m, except the Christmas holiday when parenting time shall be from 9 a.m. Christmas Eve Day to 9 a.m. Christmas Day.
During the Spring Holiday, the child shall have the normal alternating weekend parenting time.
Parenting Time Schedule for Children Age Two and Older
- Alternate weekends from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Sunday.
- One weekday evening each week for two hours, with a return time no later than 8 p.m. Both Parties may agree on more than one day per week if desired.
- Alternate Holidays (see Holidays section)
Extended Summer Parenting Time
Four non-consecutive weeks during the summer to be exercised as follows:
- The third week in June
- The first and third weeks of July
- The second week of August
The exchange of the children to occur on Sundays at 6 p.m. until the following Sunday at 6 p.m. During summer parenting time, the non-custodial parent shall not exercise their every other weekend or mid-week visits with the child(ren). However, if the non-custodial parent has less than 4 weeks of summer parenting time, they shall continue to exercise their alternate weekends of parenting time.
The following schedule applies to all children age two and older. This schedule follows the school district the child lives in regardless of whether or not the child is old enough to attend school.
The Holiday Schedule takes precedence over any other regular parenting time schedule and will at times force both parties to modify their regularly scheduled parenting time. If a Holiday falls on a weekend, the holiday should be spent with the parent who is supposed to have the child for that holiday.
Holiday Schedule
The following gives times that are to be followed for the holidays, which are to be alternated each year.
| Holiday | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Spring Break | Shall be exercised from 6 p.m. the day school recesses for the break until 6 p.m. the day before school resumes |
| Easter | Consists of the entire weekend from Friday 6 p.m. until Sunday at 6 p.m. |
| Memorial Day | Shall be exercised for the entire weekend from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Monday |
| July Fourth | Shall be exercised from 9 a.m. on the Fourth until 6 p.m. the following day |
| Labor Day | Shall be exercised for the entire weekend from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Monday |
| Halloween (age appropriate) |
|
| Thanksgiving | Shall be exercised from the day school recesses at 6 p.m. until Sunday at 6 p.m. |
| Christmas Vacation |
|
How to Alternate Holidays
| Holiday | Odd Number Years | Even Number Years |
|---|---|---|
| Children’s Birthdays | Mom | Dad |
| Easter/Spring Break | Dad | Mom |
| Memorial Day Weekend | Mom | Dad |
| July Fourth | Dad | Mom |
| Labor Day | Mom | Dad |
| Halloween (age appropriate) | Dad | Mom |
| Thanksgiving | Mom | Dad |
| Christmas Eve - 1st part of break | Dad | Mom |
| Christmas Day - 2nd part of break | Mom | Dad |
| Observed Day | Parenting Time Schedule |
|---|---|
| Children’s Birthdays |
|
| Father’s Day | Each year, the father shall have Father’s Day from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. |
| Mother’s Day | Each year, the mother shall have Mother’s Day from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. |
Children's Birthdays
- If the child's birthday falls on a scheduled school day, parenting time shall be from after school until 8 p.m.
- If the child's birthday falls on a non-school day, parenting time shall be from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.
- If the child's birthday takes place on the same date as a recognized holiday, the holiday parenting time will take precedence over the birthday parenting time.
- If there is more than one child in this case, all of the children shall be included in each of the children's birthday parenting time.
- Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, both parties shall share equally 50/50 in transportation for parenting time.
- The non-custodial parent shall be responsible for picking up the minor children for parenting time and the custodial parent shall be responsible for picking up the minor children at the end of the parenting time.
- Exceptions may be made to the above if the custodial parent moves, and as a result, the parties are separated by a significant distance (100 miles or more).
- If necessary, due to work schedule conflicts, the visiting parent may select another properly licensed adult known to the children to provide transportation. Advanced notice must be provided to the other parent.
- Use caution selecting new spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, etc, as this may cause unnecessary problems.
- Parenting time must be exercised in a prompt manner. In the event of an emergency, a 30 minute delay is allowed for picking up and returning the children. This should happen rarely.
- If there are any problems with regards to parenting time the party experiencing the problems must submit a complaint in writing to the Friend of the Court office within 7 days of the alleged violation.
- Each parent must provide a phone contact of where the children can be reached during parenting time.
- Parents are encouraged to make arrangements to exchange parenting time to allow the children to attend special events and activities with other extended family members.