Parenting Time & Decision-Making Arrangements
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Parenting Time & Decision-Making Arrangements: What Parents Should Know
What Parents Should Know
When parents separate, the most important question is how the children’s lives will be organized. In Ontario, two key concepts guide this: parenting time (when children are with each parent) and decision-making responsibility (who makes major choices about their upbringing). These arrangements are central to every separation involving children, and understanding them early can help parents avoid unnecessary conflict.
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ToggleParenting Time
Parenting time refers to the schedule of when the child is with each parent. It can take many forms:
Primary residence – the child lives mostly with one parent, with regular visits to the other.
Shared parenting – the child spends close to equal time with both parents on rotations, such as 2-2-3, 7-7, and 3-4-4-3.
Parenting time is about more than just hours on a calendar. It includes the right to spend meaningful time with your child, care for them directly, and be part of their daily routines.
Decision-Making Responsibility
This is what used to be called “custody.” It refers to who makes major decisions about a child’s health, education, religion, and extracurricular activities. Options include:
One party decision-making – one parent has the authority to decide.
Joint decision-making – both parents share the responsibility and must consult each other.
Divided decision-making – each parent handles specific areas (for example, one manages health decisions, the other education).
Courts, arbitrators and mediators usually prefer arrangements that encourage cooperation, but the child’s best interests always come first.
Factors Courts Consider
When disputes arise, courts assess the best interests of the child by looking at:
– The child’s needs, given their age and stage of development.
– The nature and strength of the child’s relationship with each parent, siblings, and other important people.
– Each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent.
– The history of caregiving — who has been responsible for daily care and involvement.
– The child’s cultural, linguistic, religious, and spiritual upbringing and heritage.
– The child’s views and preferences, where appropriate based on age and maturity.
– The child’s ties to school, community, and extended family.
– Each parent’s ability and willingness to meet the child’s needs.
– The plans proposed for the child’s care.
– The presence of family violence and its impact on parenting ability.
– Each parent’s ability to cooperate and resolve disputes affecting the child.
– Any civil or criminal proceedings, orders, undertakings, or conditions relevant to the child’s safety and well-being.
No single factor decides the outcome. Courts look at the full picture to determine what arrangement will best support the child’s well-being.
Why Clear Agreements Matter
Parenting disputes often flare up around small details: holiday schedules, pick-up times, or what happens if a parent is late. A written parenting plan or court order helps reduce these conflicts. Agreements can include:
– Pick-up and drop-off times and locations.
– Rules about arriving on time and leaving promptly.
– Guidelines for communication between parents at exchanges.
– Provisions for holidays, birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and cultural or religious celebrations.
The more clarity you build in, the less stress for everyone — especially the child.
Legal Guidance
A family law lawyer can help parents think through practical details, draft enforceable agreements, and avoid pitfalls that cause future disputes. They also ensure the language of the agreement reflects both the law and the realities of family life.
Taking The First Step
Parenting time and decision-making arrangements shape your child’s day-to-day life after separation. With the right plan — and the right support — parents can create stability, reduce conflict, and keep the focus where it belongs: on the children.
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