Is 50/50 really best for kids?

Asked by: Reanna Blanda  |  Last update: August 13, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (40 votes)

Furthermore, 50/50 custody can mitigate the negative effects of parental conflict on children. Research consistently shows that ongoing conflict between parents can have detrimental effects on children's well-being.

Is 50/50 healthy for a child?

50/50 is not beneficial for a baby and can be extremely distressing on them to be away from you; their home. No overnights, only an hour or so during the week and a bit more during the weekend, every other weekend. If dad wants more than this, he can spend time with you and your baby.

Is 50/50 really in the best interest of the child?

Most courts will not do any 50-50 orders because they are generally not considered to be in children's best interests unless the parties agree and reside in close enough proximity for it not to be detrimental to the child and the child's school, social and personal life.

Why is 50/50 best for kids?

Equal Access to Both Parents: One of the most significant benefits of 50/50 custody is that the child has regular and substantial contact with both parents. This can help maintain strong bonds with the mother and father, which is important for a child's emotional and psychological development.

What custody split is best for kids?

It seems that most of the current psychological thinking says that for very young children like mine, frequent contact with both parents is helpful for them. So, the mediator is recommending a 2-2-1-1-1 schedule -- a modification of 2-2-3. My lawyer independently recommended this same schedule.

When is 50/50 NOT a good idea for the kids?

18 related questions found

Does 50/50 custody affect child support?

It seems logical that if your custody is shared, you each cover costs for the child when the child is with you. However, in California, custody and child support are two separate components, and one parent may be required to pay child support to the other even in a 50/50 arrangement.

What is the healthiest co-parenting schedule?

50/50 schedules can benefit a child because the child spends substantial time living with both parents. This allows him or her to build a close relationship with both parents, and to feel cared for by both parents. 50/50 schedules work best when: The parents live fairly close to each other, so exchanges are easier.

What are the disadvantages of 50/50 custody?

Cons of equal shared parenting:
  • Frequent exchanges mean that parents have regular in-person contact, which can create conflict that negatively impacts children.
  • Some children may struggle to adapt to frequently moving between homes.

What are the disadvantages of 50 50?

Disadvantages of 50/50 custody

Moving between two households can be stressful and disruptive, and children may feel like they are constantly packing and unpacking. Additionally, some children may struggle with feeling like they are dividing their loyalty between their parents.

Do kids do better with 50/50 custody?

Research consistently shows that ongoing conflict between parents can have detrimental effects on children's well-being. By sharing custody equally, parents may be motivated to minimize conflicts and prioritize the needs of their children, creating a healthier environment for them to thrive.

Is 50/50 split good for children?

Research shows that for children whose parents do not stay together, 50/50 timesharing is best.

What are the chances of a father getting 50/50 custody?

While it is not possible to provide an exact probability for a father obtaining 50/50 custody due to variations in individual circumstances and jurisdictional differences, research suggests that fathers who actively participate in their children's lives have better chances at securing equal or significant custodial ...

What age is best for week on week off custody?

The maturity of each child, in addition to the bond between the child and each parent, are just as important as age. Our attorneys have seen 7 year olds handle a week on / week off schedule better than some 11 year old kids. With that being said, one blanket approach won't be beneficial for all.

Should a parent child relationship be 50 50?

While California does not have a specific 50/50 custody presumption, the state encourages joint custody arrangements. The determination of custody is a complex process, taking into account various factors unique to each case.

How many times a week should a dad see his child?

However, there is no set guidelines for reasonable access for father. Each family is unique and reasonable access for fathers depends on the individual circumstances. Some fathers see their children every day, while others might see them just once a month.

Why is joint custody best?

Children in joint custody arrangements had less behavior and emotional problems, had higher self-esteem, better family relations and school performance than children in sole custody arrangements.

Why 50-50 partnerships don't work?

Some of these problems include: Deadlocks: In a 50/50 partnership, if the partners have differing opinions on a particular decision or course of action, it can lead to a deadlock or stalemate, where neither partner can make a final decision without the other's agreement.

What happens when you lose the 50-50?

When you lose the 50/50, the next 5 star character you pull will be guaranteed to be the featured character. Note that this carries over to every banner even after the previous one has expired.

Is 50-50 common?

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on shared parenting arrangements, with many courts advocating for equal custody between parents. One of the most common arrangements is known as “50/50 custody,” where both parents share equal time and responsibility for their children after divorce or separation.

What type of custody is best for a child?

The recent trend has been to favor joint or shared physical custody—allowing children to spend significant amounts of time with both of their parents. Judges (and legislatures) have been swayed by consistent research findings that children fare better after divorce under shared parenting arrangements.

Do you still pay child support for 50/50?

However, sharing 50/50 custody in California does not mean the parents are not responsible for child support. Each parent must pay a portion of the child support obligation.

Who claims children with 50 50 custody?

Under these rules, the parent who has physical custody of the child for the greater part of the year – defined as more than 50% of the nights – typically has the right to claim the child as a dependent for tax purposes.

What is the best custody schedule for a 10 year old?

Some common custody schedules for 5- to 13-year-olds are: An alternating weekends schedule with a midweek evening visit. You can customize this to fit your situation with Custody X Change. An alternating weeks schedule where the child alternates weeks with each parent.

Which parenting style is the most healthy for a child?

Authoritative parenting is often considered the ideal style for its combination of warmth and flexibility while still making it clear that the parents are in charge. (3) Children of authoritative parents know what is expected of them. Their parents explain reasons for the rules and consequences for breaking them.

How does 50/50 custody work if parents live in different states?

Although children benefit from spending time with both parents, courts don't want to force excessive travel. If a parent who shares joint custody moves to another state, custody generally transfers to the other parent because children tend to do best in a place they're familiar with.