Parenting Time
In Alberta, parenting time refers to the time children spend in the care of a parent, whether or not they are physically with that parent at all times (for example, while the children are at school). Parenting time is typically set out in a schedule.
Unless a court orders otherwise, a parent with parenting time has the right to request and receive information about the children’s health, education, and overall well-being from the other parent or from third parties, such as schools, doctors, and other healthcare professionals.
Parenting Time Plans
The most important consideration in any parenting plan is deciding when the children will be in the care of each parent. Parenting time should be allocated based on the children’s best interests. The parenting time of each party can be set out in a schedule as part of a parenting order. A parenting time plan should be as clear as possible about the dates and times the children will spend with each parent. The parenting time plan can include holidays and special occasions such as birthdays, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Christmas holidays, summer holidays, and other special days throughout the year.
It’s important to be practical and realistic when agreeing to a parenting plan. Both parents should consider their individual schedules, including work and other commitments, prior to finalizing a parenting plan.
The type of parenting plan, and how much time the children spend with each parent, may affect how child support is calculated under the Federal Child Support Guidelines.
Free Consultation
If you have questions about your current parenting plan or want to make changes to an existing parenting order, please contact our office at: (403) 2888-0009 or via email at: murray@bodnaruklaw.com
Majority of Parenting Time
Majority of Parenting Time refers to situations where the children spend more than sixty percent (60%) of their time with one parent. (If a child spends all of his/her time with one parent, that is referred to as sole custody). When the children spend more than sixty percent (60%) of their time with one parent, the other parent must pay Section 3 child support to the parent who has the primary care of the children.
Parenting Order
A Parenting Order is an order made by a court that sets out important details about parenting, such as the time the children will spend with each parent, each parent’s decision-making responsibilities, and how the children will communicate with one parent when spending time with the other parent.
Split Parenting Time
Split parenting occurs when the parties have two or more children, and one child spends most of their time with one parent, while the other child spends most of their time with the other parent. When parents have split parenting of their children, each parent must pay Section 3 support to the other parent for the children in the other parent’s care.
Shared Parenting Time
Shared parenting time occurs when the children live with each parent at least forty percent (40%) of the time. The most common shared-parenting schedule is some variation of a week-on/ week-off schedule, where one parent has the children in his/her care for a week, with the other parent having the children in his/her care the following week. The parties may agree to allow the children to telephone and/or FaceTime the parent who does not have the children in their care, with each parent being allowed to contact the children during the week the children spend with the other parent. The parties usually agree to exchange the children on the same day each week, which creates a regular routine for the children.
When parties have shared parenting of their children, each parent shall pay Section 3 child support to the other parent based on his/her respective guideline incomes.
