When it comes to agreed child custody arrangements in Texas, the goal is always to prioritize the best interests of the child while ensuring that both parents maintain a meaningful relationship with their children.
At Simple Texas Divorce, because our lawyers regularly help clients with agreed, uncontested divorces in Texas, we see parents agreeing to a wider and wider variety of agreed possession orders for their kids. One increasingly popular arrangement is the 2-2-5-5 possession schedule, which can provide a balanced and consistent routine for the child and the parents.
What is a 2-2-5-5 possession schedule?
A 2-2-5-5 possession schedule is a type of joint custody arrangement where the child spends two days with one parent, two days with the other parent, and then five days with the first parent, followed by five days with the second parent. This cycle repeats continuously, allowing each parent to have regular and substantial time with the child.
Most often in a 2-2-5-5 schedule, the first parent has Monday and Tuesday, the second parent has Wednesday and Thursday, and then the parents alternate weekends (from Friday through Sunday).
Advantages of a 2-2-5-5 possession schedule:
1. Consistency: The 2-2-5-5 schedule provides a consistent routine for the child, making it easier for them to adapt to the new family dynamic.
2. Equal time: Both parents spend significant time with the child, which can help maintain strong parent-child relationships.
3. Reduced conflict: With a clearly defined schedule, there is less room for disagreements between the parents regarding parenting time.
4. Flexibility: The 2-2-5-5 schedule can be modified to accommodate the child’s school schedule, extracurricular activities, and the parents’ work commitments.
Considerations before agreeing to a 2-2-5-5 possession schedule:
1. Age of the child: Very young children may benefit from more frequent, shorter periods of time with each parent to establish a strong bond and maintain a sense of security, while not being away from either parent for too long. Older children often like knowing, well in advance, which parent’s house they’ll be at on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, for example, allowing them to make plans with friends while taking into consideration where they will be on any particular weeknight.
2. Proximity of the parents' homes: The 2-2-5-5 schedule works best when the parents live relatively close to each other to minimize the child's travel time and disruption to their daily routine.
3. Parental cooperation: Both parents must be willing to work together and communicate effectively to ensure the success of the 2-2-5-5 arrangement.
4. Child's individual needs: Consider the child's unique needs, such as any medical conditions, learning difficulties, or emotional concerns that may require special attention or a modified schedule.
In Texas, the 2-2-5-5 possession schedule is becoming an increasingly popular choice for parents who want to share custody of their children and are trying to agree on a custody order. While it may not be the perfect fit for every family, it can provide a balanced and consistent arrangement that prioritizes the child's well-being and the parents' involvement in their lives.
If you are considering a 2-2-5-5 possession schedule as part of your agreed divorce settlement, feel free to reach out to our experienced Texas family lawyers at Simple Texas Divorce, who can help you evaluate your specific situation and guide you through the process of getting the terms of your divorce agreement into a valid, enforceable agreed divorce decree.
