Child Custody Worksheet
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This worksheet can be used as a brainstorming sheet to help you make custody and visitation decisions for your family. One or both parents can fill it out separately, or you can both fill it out together. We can't make the decisions for you, or even tell you what's best, but hopefully this worksheet will get you thinking about some of the issues you'll face that you otherwise may not have thought about. You can fill this worksheet out online or complete the printable version (a .doc file). If you filled it out by yourself, you may want to show it to your spouse or at least discuss some of the ideas you've come up with.

 

Schedules of each parent and each child:
List, in detail, each parent's schedule, including both work and personal time. Then list the children's schedule, including school and extracurricular activities. The purpose of this part of the worksheet is to visually be able to see the times each parent will have available to spend with the children, and compare that schedule with the needs of your children. Rather than turning custody and visitation into a "contest" with a "winner," this will help you make a schedule that works for everyone, ultimately making your children the winners.

Based on this schedule, what times does each parent have available to see the children?

 

 

Other issues to brainstorm:

Who will the children be with when they aren't with either parent (a babysitter, friend, family member)?

 

Is there anything about either parent's schedule that would interfere with caring for the children? (Would it be difficult to get time off or leave early to care for the children? How often are you required to work overtime? How understanding is each parent's boss?)

 

If you've been living separate, what's the current arrangement you have?

 

What's working with that arrangement?

 

What needs improvement?

 

Who lives closer to the children's schools and/or daycare?

 

Does either parent have any plans for relocating? Explain.

 

Where do the children normally spend holidays, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving?

 

What is each child's relationship with each parent? Think about this for a minute. What does each parent do for the child? What have each parent's responsibilities been towards the children? Is one parent the "soccer parent," while one is the "homework parent"? Does one parent usually take the children shopping; is one the typical disciplinarian? How do you see this affecting your relationship with your children when you're a single parent (both good and bad)?

 

Do the children have any special needs or interests? If so, how is each parent equipped to care for those needs?

 

Do you want the children to be able to stay in the family home, if you can afford it? Which parent would be better able to maintain the home?

 

What outside support does each parent have (friends, other family members)? How will they help with the children?

 

What will the overall sleeping/living arrangements be like in each home? (ex. will the children have their own room(s), do the children get along with each person who will be playing a major role in the parents' lives?)

 

Do you want all the children to live in the same home?

 

Especially if considering joint custody:
How well do the two of you communicate with each other about the children?

 

Are you able to speak about your children without arguing every time?

 

Do you have plans for reducing the times you do argue?

 

How close do you and your spouse live to each other?

 

Any other comments?