How to Calculate Parenting Time Ontario

Introduction

In Ontario, parenting time is a crucial aspect of family law that determines how much time each parent spends with their child. The calculation of parenting time can vary depending on whether the parents are married, separated, or divorced, and whether there is a court-ordered custody arrangement.

This guide will walk you through the process of calculating parenting time in Ontario, including the basic calculation, shared custody arrangements, and legal requirements.

Basic Calculation

The basic calculation of parenting time involves determining the total number of hours each parent should have with their child. This is typically done by dividing the total number of hours in a week by the number of parents.

However, this is a simplified calculation. In reality, parenting time can be more complex, especially in cases of shared custody or when parents have different work schedules.

Shared Custody Arrangements

In cases of shared custody, parenting time is typically divided between the parents. The exact division can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case, but it is generally recommended that each parent have at least 40% of the parenting time.

For example, if the parents agree to a 50/50 split, each parent would have 84 hours of parenting time per week. If they agree to a 60/40 split, the primary caregiver would have 100.8 hours of parenting time per week, and the other parent would have 63.2 hours.

Legal Requirements

In Ontario, parenting time is governed by the Family Law Act and the Family Responsibility Act. These laws outline the rights and responsibilities of parents in matters of parenting time.

Some key legal requirements include:

• Parents must make reasonable efforts to cooperate in determining parenting time.
• Parents must provide reasonable notice before changing the parenting time schedule.
• Parents must ensure that the child's needs are met during parenting time.

If parents cannot agree on a parenting time schedule, they can apply to the court for a decision. The court will consider the best interests of the child when making its decision.

Example Calculation

Let's consider an example where two parents, Parent A and Parent B, are negotiating a parenting time schedule. Parent A works full-time and is available for parenting time during the day, while Parent B is a stay-at-home parent and is available for parenting time in the evenings and on weekends.

Based on their availability, the parents agree to the following parenting time schedule:

In this example, Parent A has a total of 48 hours of parenting time per week, while Parent B has 32 hours of parenting time per week. This results in a 60/40 split of parenting time between the two parents.