Split Custody
What is Split Custody?
Many people confuse joint custody with split custody. They are not the same. Split custody is a type of custody arrangement where one parent becomes the primary custodian of at least one child and the other parent becomes the primary custodian of the other child(ren). In short, each child only has one primary custodian but the primary custodian varies from child to child.
Example of Split Custody and Split Custody Schedule
If two parents have two children (a daughter and a son), a split parenting arrangement could involve:
- Mom receiving primary custody of the daughter
- Dad receiving primary custody of the son
In terms of a schedule, the daughter could spend Monday through Friday with mom, and the son would spend that same time with dad. Typically, split custody arrangements have the children spend weekends together. As such, both the daughter and the son would spend one weekend with mom and the next with dad.
Split Custody is Not Favored by the Court
How is Child Support Determined in a Split Custody Situation?
Calculating child support for a split custody situation is a little more complex than usual. In short, two separate child support determinations are made - one for each primary custodian based upon the children that are under their primary care. Once these separate child support determinations are made, the numbers are used to offset against each other with the parent with the higher net obligation owing the other parent that amount of child support.