When a couple with children decides to end their marriage, they must decide custody and visitation for their children. Custody and visitation are two, separate issues. Custody is who has the power to make decisions for the children. Visitation, otherwise known as parenting time, is the time that each parent has with the children each week. There are two types of custody – Shared Parenting and Sole Custody. Shared Parenting is that both parents are the residential and custodial parents of the children, and the parents must consult with each other to jointly make decisions for the children. On the other hand, sole custody is one parent is the custodial and residential parent and he/she makes all the decisions for the children. When the parents settle their cases, they decide what custody arrangement is within the best interest of their children. When the case does not settle, a judge decides.

Parents must also decide the parenting time for the children. When parents agree, they decide the schedule. If they do not agree, a judge decides. Couples choose all different kinds of schedules. The best schedules are those that are best for the children, which typically are consistent schedules that are not too disruptive to the busy lives of the children.