In the US, where shared parenting is more common than in Spain, a parenting plan might be referred to as “a 2/2/3″ (two days one parent, two days the other, then back to the first parent for three days, and so on) or a “4/3/3/4.” In Spain, judges seem to be more skeptical about children moving between households, sometimes imposing conditions such as a maximum distance between parents’ homes or a minimum period with each parent. A Madrid judge, for example, insisted that a child not be obliged to change households more often than once a month. In Valencia and Catalunya judges appear to be more lenient in this regard, and have dictated judgements where children change household on a weekly basis.
Of course, less frequent changes are possible. For example, a child might reside with Mom for a few months and then move to Dad’s house. In this case, visits are usually set up with the non-resident parent – alternate weekends, for example – because otherwise the child would be out of contact with one parent for too long. This is an arrangement that might work well for older children and/or parents who live farther apart.
I have included some links to suggested parenting plans under “Resources” as well as guidelines from the UK, Australia and the USA. Here, I am adding a link to a detailed booklet from the Arizona Supreme Court, “Planning for Parenting Time” which parents may find useful. Divorcehelpforparents.com offers three types of sample guidelines, depending on how well parents get along with each other. I have not yet been able to locate a link to a Spanish site for parenting guidelines, so if you are aware of one please let me know!
A word about legal terms: the term “custodia” is still widely used in Spain and appears in court-approved agreements: “guarda & custodia” is more or less equivalent to the American term “physical custody” while “patria potestad” refers to legal custody. Courts in the US and UK are trying to get away from terms such as “physical custody,” preferring “parenting plan” or “primary care giver,” terms that encourage the involvement of both parents. But the Spanish legal system has yet to move on in this regard.
