Parenting plans and their underlying assumptions have evolved significantly over the years. In the past, a noncustodial parent could typically expect only to be granted visitation every other weekend and a mid-week dinner or overnight stay. However, changes in how society, and in turn the courts, view the strong need to preserve and grow a child's relationship with both parents after divorce have affected parenting time arrangements.

Today, largely due to the impact of COVID and the ability of parents to work remotely, from home, or substantially reduce their travel and commute time, a shared parenting plan is closer to the norm. The trend is for parents to develop (or have courts impose on them) a schedule that enables children to have roughly equal time with both parents. There are various ways to accomplish that goal.

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Changes in Parenting Time Plans

Historically, a parent who worked full-time, traveled, or had a substantial commute had much less time with his or her children. That made it harder for that parent to build and maintain as strong of a relationship with his or her children.