The General Time-Sharing Schedules provide options for when parents spend time with their children during the general school year. Note that these schedules are suggested but can be modified to fit an individual family’s needs.
The General Time-Sharing Schedule you select will be attached to the end of your completed Alabama Model Parenting Plan Court Form as Appendix A.
The types of physical custody are color-coded and listed below:
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- Green – Joint Physical Custody: Physical custody is shared by the parents in a way that assures the child(ren) frequent and substantial contact with each parent. Joint physical custody does not necessarily mean physical custody of equal durations of time. The Green Schedules can be used when parents live in close enough proximity so that the child(ren) can continue to participate in school and extracurricular activities.
- Sole Physical Custody
- Blue – Sole Physical Custody for Close Residences: One parent has sole physical custody and the other parent has visitation rights. The Blue Schedules can be used when parents live within approximately 60 miles of each other.
- Purple – Sole Physical Custody for Distant Residences: One parent has sole physical custody and the other parent has visitation rights. The Purple Schedules can be used when parents live more than 60 miles from each other or when one parent lives out of state.
- Red – Restricted Physical Custody: A Red Schedule should only be used when a parent’s physical access to a child should be limited to supervised custody, a suspension of physical contact, or any other restrictions on custody determined by the court to be in the best interest of the child(ren).
NOTE: The General Time-Sharing Schedules do not include the Holiday and Summer Time-Sharing Schedules. These schedules are included in the Alabama Model Parenting Plan Court Form. See Section IV on the Alabama Model Parenting Plan Court Form.
Guidelines for Using Green, Blue, or Purple General Time-Sharing Schedules
- Parties have no history of family violence (including child abuse).
- Parties have no history of substance abuse.
- There is no risk of flight with the child(ren).
- There is no reason for the court to believe that time with either parent will endanger the child(ren)’s physical health or safety, or impair the child(ren)’s emotional development.
- There is no reason for the court to require supervised visitation of child(ren) with either parent.