Custody and Access Schedules in Ireland
In Ireland, custody and access schedules vary significantly by family. There is no standard schedule, nor a minimum amount of access guaranteed. It all depends on what's best for the child.
For example, parents with joint custody might split time with their child 50/50, or one might spend much more time with the child. Joint custody just means that both parents have a responsibility to care for the child.
Of course, there are some trends. Irish courts emphasise giving both parents frequent time with the child where it's feasible and both parents are fit. (A parent's time might be required to be supervised by another adult.) Also, they often give the mother more time unless parents agree on a different arrangement.
Getting a schedule
It's recommended you agree on a schedule with your co-parent. Ideally, put it into a parenting plan so it's clear and documented. You can have the court turn your parenting plan into a rule of court so that it's legally enforceable.
If you get along very well, it's possible to go without a fixed schedule, but having one in place doesn't hurt. You can always agree to make changes to it.
If you can't choose a schedule together, you'll have to go to court so a judge can decide on one for you. Bring recommendations so the judge has something to work from. They are likely to appoint an expert to examine your situation, which can cost each parent at least €3,000.
When you create a schedule, it's helpful to use both text and visuals to describe it. A Custody X Change calendar does this for you.
Think about future years now as well. You can write in your parenting plan that you will shift the schedule at a certain point.
Common custody and access schedules
The 3-4-4-3 schedule is a 50/50 schedule that has your child stay with one parent for three days, then the other parent for four days. The next week, the first parent gets four days and the second parent gets three.
Alternating weeks with the child is also a simple way to split parenting time evenly, especially for older children.
Giving one parent weekend time is always a popular option. They could have every weekend, every other weekend, one weekend a month, etc.
Or the parent with access could have shorter visits, like several afternoons a week.
Remember that you can agree to or suggest any schedule that makes sense for your family.
Special occasions and holidays
If one parent lives a ways away, their parenting time may need to fall during school holidays.
It's common for Irish parents to split time with their child evenly over the Christmas school holidays.
Make sure to say in your parenting plan that special occasions and school holidays take precedence over the regular schedule and that holidays away with the child take precedence over everything.
You may want to set parameters for how often a parent can take a holiday with the child and whether they need their co-parent's approval. It's common to allow each parent two weeks during the summer school holidays.
The easiest way to make a schedule
If you're like most parents, creating a custody and access schedule will feel daunting. How do you write something that doesn't leave any loose ends?
The Custody X Change online app makes it easy. Either customise a schedule template, or click and drag in your custody calendar to make a schedule from scratch.
Then watch a full description appear in your parenting plan.
The combination of a visual and written schedule means your family will have no problem knowing who has the child when. Take advantage of Custody X Change to make your schedule as clear and thorough as can be.