Parenting Plans Explained: Custody Schedules, 50/50 and What Works | Lawyers Without Billboards S2-Ep33

A parenting plan is more than a calendar. It determines how parents will make major decisions, where children will spend their time and how everyday parenting will work after a divorce.In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve, Patty, Jimmy and Alexa break down what goes into a Georgia parenting plan, including legal custody, final decision-making authority, regular parenting schedules and the growing variety of 50/50 custody arrangements.They explain the differences between week-on/week-off, 2-2-5-5 and 2-2-3 schedules, why some arrangements create more confusion than stability and how work schedules, school locations, commuting distances and a child’s age can affect what is practical.The team also discusses why there may be no true “standard” parenting schedule and why parents should focus less on counting days and more on creating a plan that genuinely works for their children.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Welcome to Lawyers Without Billboards02:09 – Is a parenting plan required in Georgia?03:38 – The paperwork involved in a divorce with children05:20 – Why self-represented parents often struggle with the process08:13 – What a parenting plan actually covers09:01 – Understanding legal custody10:40 – Final decision-making authority11:08 – The four major areas of parental decision-making11:51 – Technology, smartphones and social media12:45 – Dividing medical, educational and other decisions13:42 – When parenting plans become too complicated15:50 – Regular parenting time versus holiday parenting time17:09 – What is considered a “standard” custody schedule?17:28 – How parenting schedules have changed over time18:36 – When judges favor 50/50 custody20:48 – Why parenting schedules must fit real life21:45 – Work schedules, commuting and distance between parents23:16 – The trend toward expanded parenting time23:36 – Why living near your co-parent can matter25:28 – Different versions of 50/50 custody25:36 – How a 2-2-5-5 schedule works25:55 – How a 2-2-3 schedule works27:21 – Week-on/week-off custody27:41 – Parenting schedules for younger children28:49 – Focusing on what is best for the child29:54 – More parenting-plan topics still to come🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards.🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis 🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/w-0pd0MJ_ko or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.📩 Contact: [email protected]| (770) 939-1939🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA