Is 50/50 custody realistic with two working parents?
We both work full-time and live 20 minutes apart. The kids are 6 and 9. Can we actually do 50/50 or does one parent always get more time?
Please readThis is a community space for sharing personal experience — it is not legal advice, and posts here are not from Lawma or your attorney. We strongly encourage you to post under an anonymous handle, keep questions general, and avoid posting private details of your active case. For advice about your own situation, message your attorney.
We both work full-time and live 20 minutes apart. The kids are 6 and 9. Can we actually do 50/50 or does one parent always get more time?
✓ Verified answer from a licensed attorney — shown first
It's very common in CA when the parents live within the same school zone and can coordinate. Common schedules: 2-2-3 (you and your partner alternate three-day weekends, with the weekdays in 2/2/3 blocks), week-on/week-off (older kids handle this better), or 5-2-2-5. The biggest predictor of whether 50/50 actually works isn't the schedule, it's how civil the handoffs are. Pick the schedule that minimizes handoffs if you can't be in the same room without tension. Bring a draft proposal to mediation rather than asking the mediator to design it from scratch — you'll get a much better result.
We do 2-2-3 with a 7 and 10 year old. The transition days are the hardest. Tip: use a shared calendar (we use OurFamilyWizard) so the kids know who is picking up.
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Other things people in your situation usually need to handle. Some are paid partners; some are free community resources — labeled clearly.
Court Self-Help Center
Free signature + form witness · Free
Most US counties have a free Court Self-Help Center (or Family Law Facilitator's Office). They review papers, witness signatures, and explain procedure. No appointment usually required.
Find your nearest SHC →Sesame Workshop — Divorce toolkit
Talking-to-kids resources · Free
Free professional toolkit for explaining family changes to young kids — videos, conversation starters, printable activity sheets.
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Process server · $90–$120 typical
Same-day service on family-court papers. Flat fee, transparent pricing, certified Proof of Service delivered back.
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Please readThis is a community space for sharing personal experience — it is not legal advice, and posts here are not from Lawma or your attorney. We strongly encourage you to post under an anonymous handle, keep questions general, and avoid posting private details of your active case. For advice about your own situation, message your attorney.