AAML Pennsylvania recently filed a friend-of-the-court brief for Glover v. Junior, urging the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to issue a ruling protecting a lesbian mother’s parental status. This brief was cited in an article recently published by GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD).

Read the full article here.

THE AAML ERIC D. TURNER AWARD is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. A $1,000 cash award is given to one third year law student from each of Pennsylvania’s law schools who, in the opinion of the Law School’s faculty, best demonstrates the positive attributes of a matrimonial lawyer: academic excellence; competence as practitioner; commitment to the practice and development of family law, including assisting the indigent and improving the quality of the administration of justice in the field of family law; and meeting the highest standards for ethical behavior.

This Award was created to honor and remember Eric D. Turner, a highly respected and beloved Fellow of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Since its inception in 2000, following Eric’s untimely passing, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the AAML has awarded over $80,000 in scholarships to third year law students attending schools in Pennsylvania.

Our purpose in creating and maintaining this award is to encourage law students to enter the field of family law. Many of our award recipients have in fact obtained employment with prestigious family law firms and have successful careers in family law.

The award is administered by Fellows Stephanie H. Winegrad of Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel and Colleen M. Neary, Esquire, of Media, PA. Ms. Neary has been a Fellow of the American Academy since 2003 and practices primarily in Delaware County, PA. Ms. Winegrad has been a Fellow of the American Academy since 2013 and practices family law in Montgomery County, PA.

By Syndey Weber, Marcum LLP | AAML Pennsylvania Platinum Partner

Normalization adjustments are an essential component of any business valuation. They are necessary to ensure that the operational results and financial position as reflected on the subject company’s financial statements or tax returns accurately indicate the anticipated profit or loss on a going-forward basis. Valuation experts make normalization adjustments to the income statement to eliminate expenses that are non-recurring or unrelated to the business, as well as to properly account for expenses such as rent or officer compensation that may not be accurately reflected. Adjustments may also be made to the balance sheet in order to remove non-operating assets or adjust assets to fair market value. This article focuses on adjustments commonly made to the income statement. 

The first step in normalizing the income statement is to determine the unadjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization, or EBITDA, a key indicator of the profitability of a business. To do so, all interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization expenses are added back to the business’s reported net income. Once these preliminary adjustments are complete, the normalization adjustments are made to reach normalized EBITDA. 

Following are some of the more common income statement normalization adjustments:

1. Reasonable Compensation: In closely-held businesses, the owner typically draws a salary that may be considered “discretionary”. If the business is a sole proprietorship, the owner does not receive a salary at all. To ensure the business’s normalized EBITDA is accurately represented, it is necessary to make an adjustment reflecting the market rate that would be paid to a non-owner providing the same services. In this adjustment, the officer’s compensation reported on the income statement is added back to net income, and the reasonable compensation determined by the valuation expert through industry research is deducted. This adjustment removes the impact caused by a business owner receiving profits as a salary. It ensures EBITDA is not overstated by reflecting the appropriate market rate of compensation for the owner’s services.

2. Discretionary Expenses: Adjustments need to be made for expenses paid through the business that are not essential to its operations. Generally, any expense that would not be necessary for a potential buyer to incur to maintain the business’s operations should be added back to the reported net income. The types of discretionary disbursements that are adjusted can vary depending on the nature of the business. They may include all or a portion of travel and auto, meals, entertainment, club dues, and credit card charges. Following discussions with the business owner, expenses may be deemed partially discretionary in certain circumstances. In this case, a percentage is often applied. Additionally, discretionary expenses that may not be immediately apparent to the valuation expert can usually be identified through discussions with the business owner. It is important to note that an expense that may be deductible for tax purposes could still be classified as discretionary for valuation purposes.

3. Rent Expense: When the real estate from which the business operates is owned by the business owner personally or through a related entity, the rent charged to the business may not be representative of the fair market, meaning the business is paying either more or less than would be paid to an independent third party. A real estate appraiser generally determines fair market rent. If the business pays an amount over fair market rent, the excess would be added back to net income. Conversely, the differential would reduce net income if the amount paid is below fair market rent.

4. Non-Recurring Income and Expenses: Any reported income or expenses that are not expected to recur in the future can skew EBITDA and should be adjusted. The adjustment for a non-recurring income or expense item would decrease or increase net income, respectively. Examples of non-recurring income and expenses include settlement fees for legal actions, one-time expenses for repairs or maintenance, income or loss from discontinued operations, and gains or losses on sales of assets or other investments.

Income statement normalization adjustments play a vital role in determining a business’s expected ongoing operational performance. These adjustments help ensure the conclusion of value is both reasonable and adequately supported.

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) Issues Resolution: Endorses Family Law Arbitration as Vital Alternative to Traditional Litigation

CHICAGO, April 17, 2024 ― The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) has issued a resolution reaffirming its support for the use of arbitration in divorce and family law matters. The endorsement comes as part of a resolution adopted by the AAML Board of Governors on March 14, 2024.

Founded in 1962, AAML has been a leader in the field of family law, committed to promoting professionalism and excellence. President J. Benjamin Stevens emphasizes, "Arbitration offers families a quicker, more cost-effective and flexible alternative to traditional litigation. It empowers them to resolve disputes with greater efficiency and privacy."

The resolution underscores AAML’s commitment to advocating for legislation that addresses the unique needs of vulnerable family law participants. President Stevens noted, "Our endorsement of the Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act highlights our dedication to ensuring that arbitration processes safeguard the rights of all parties involved."

AAML’s resolution encourages states without family law-specific arbitration statutes to consider adopting the Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act. "We urge states to align their legislation with established caselaw and procedures to provide families with fair and efficient avenues for resolving their legal matters," said President Stevens.

AAML calls upon the judiciary across the nation to support and encourage the use of arbitration in family law cases. "By embracing arbitration, we can expedite proceedings and minimize the emotional toll on families involved," added President Stevens.

The AAML's endorsement of family law arbitration reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing the practice of family law and ensuring access to justice for all families. The full AAML resolution can be found here on the AAML website.

About the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Founded in 1962, the mission of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) is to provide leadership that promotes the highest degree of professionalism and excellence in the practice of family law. Comprised of the top 1,200+ matrimonial attorneys throughout the nation, members are recognized experts in the specialized areas of matrimonial law, including divorce, prenuptial agreements, legal separation, annulment, custody, property valuation and division, support and the rights of unmarried couples. For more information, visit www.aaml.org.

By Zachary Petersen, CPA, CVA, CFE, Marcum LLP | AAML Pennsylvania Platinum Partner

Imagine you are the owner of a famous and well-respected restaurant. In your employ are master chefs and culinary experts covering a range of different backgrounds and techniques. Among them are a saucier, creating various sauces used throughout the menu, and a pasta chef, responsible for imagining and delivering some of the menu’s entrees. There is also a pastry chef and a chocolatier, together creating beautiful and imaginative desserts. And, of course, you have a sommelier to select the perfect wines to pair with each dish. 

Each night, the kitchen is tasked with providing a top-notch experience to the guests, with a menu that changes regularly. Every dish is thoughtful and well-executed. Each specialist works together to build a memorable experience and must know their role in relation to each other to deliver excellence.

Now imagine each dining experience is its own case, and you, as the owner, are the attorney responsible for delivering excellence to your customers (clients). You must direct your team and understand the capabilities and limitations of each member to produce an effective and cohesive approach.

Likewise, litigation can require several different experts in different fields to build the arguments necessary to prevail. Experts are necessary to review the facts, parse the technical requirements in their field, and provide an analysis or opinion based on their work. A chocolatier will not be qualified to present wine pairings for the guests in the same way that a financial expert cannot opine on the adequacy of manufacturing safeguards. Generally, professional standards expressly prohibit opinions on matters outside the expert’s scope. Although the expert may have a general understanding of how effective manufacturing safeguards can reduce overall risk to a business, they cannot be expected to deliver an opinion on what policies, procedures, and equipment are considered effective.

Depending on the facts of the case, much like our imaginary kitchen, several different experts may be needed to provide analyses within their specialties to provide a comprehensive and effective service to the client. Although a financial expert can certainly serve as your only expert if all relevant issues fall within the scope of that individual’s field of expertise, you should still consider carefully. Some issues may seem like concepts on which your expert can provide an opinion, but sometimes, they fall outside that scope of expertise or veer into legal determinations.

It is also vital that each expert is informed of their specific role for what they are being asked to do, even if the task is already within their field of expertise. If the kitchen has a theme for the evening, such as “An Evening in Tokyo," you probably wouldn’t want your pasta chef delivering authentic German spaetzle that night. Similarly, although a valuation expert can provide the value of a business under the fair market value standard, complete with a formalized report, if the jurisdiction governing the dispute only allows the use of the fair value standard or if valuation schedules would have sufficed for settlement purposes, the expert will have ultimately spent extra time developing valuation discounts or writing a report, to provide a conclusion of value that would not be appropriate for the client’s needs.

Experts, particularly financial experts, are a powerful tool for litigants and their attorneys. However, we, as experts, must be careful in providing opinions that are within the realm of our expertise. It is required, both from a legal standpoint and from the rules set forth by the associations we are members of. It is essential that experts, attorneys, and clients are all on the same page regarding what we can and cannot address. Being as specific as possible helps ensure our work is unambiguous, appropriate for the client's needs, and within the confines of our expertise and professional requirements. 

So, next time you engage an expert or are engaged as an expert, make sure the expectations are clear to all parties, both verbally and in an engagement letter, as to what the expert is being asked to do. You’ll find better client outcomes and just might save everyone a headache.

By Marcum LLP | AAML Pennsylvania Platinum Partner

The marital lifestyle or the standard of living experienced when a couple resides together during marriage can be a crucial element in divorce proceedings. Financially, how did the couple live while they were married? What amount and type of income support this lifestyle? How much alimony/child support should be awarded to sustain this lifestyle? These questions can be answered by engaging a forensic accountant to perform a lifestyle analysis.

What is a Lifestyle Analysis, and What Does it Provide?

A Lifestyle Analysis is a thorough examination of the standard of living that a couple enjoyed during their marriage. This analysis is crucial to help establish a factual basis for the couple’s spending and saving patterns and overall financial status. Forensic accountants can paint a factual picture of the marital lifestyle and expected future spending through a diligent review of historical financial records such as bank, credit card, and investment account statements, as well as tax returns, property records, and loan documents, to name a few.

By reviewing the above documents and interviewing the spouse who manages the financials (if that is a feasible option), a Lifestyle Analysis can play a crucial role in the divorce process, especially when it comes to the calculation of alimony/child support, uncovering hidden assets, and identifying various sources of income.

Spending:

A look into historical spending from a party’s marriage can provide a benchmark for the future spending of each person. A review of the bank statements allows a forensic accountant to categorize individual transactions into the income and expense categories identified from the Case Information Sheet, taking into consideration the following:

• Spending of the parties both individually and jointly.
• Recurring and non-recurring expenses.
• Dissipation of marital assets (depletion of marital funds), if any.

All of the above considerations can paint a picture of the amount required to maintain a similar standard of living post-divorce to help the parties and their attorneys determine alimony and/or child support payments.

Hidden Assets:

During a divorce, it is not unusual for one party to attempt to conceal certain assets from the equitable distribution process. Through a review of bank statements provided, forensic accountants can uncover various hidden assets by analyzing transactions within the account statements, such as the following:

• Transfers to additional bank/investment accounts not known by one of the parties.
• Payments to loan institutions uncovering additional assets purchased during the marriage.
• Transfers of money to corporations or entities for investment in their business.

Uncovering hidden assets is essential to ensure a fair and equitable division of property during a divorce. Even though parties are required to be transparent in their financial disclosure, a thorough lifestyle analysis is an essential step in ensuring that all assets are on the table and considered during divorce proceedings.

Other Sources of Income / Earning Habits:

The Lifestyle Analysis can also provide insight into additional sources of income that may not have been disclosed, including but not limited to the following:

• Spending in excess of reported income without accumulating debt can indicate additional, undisclosed sources of income or assets.
• Review of the income tax returns can identify investment income such as interest, dividends, and capital gains. These income sources can also be identified and confirmed through analysis of bank statements.
• Direct deposits from additional employment unknown to one party.

Once the entirety of income is disclosed, there is a clearer picture of the true funds required to support the standard of living of the parties.

The above discussion is a glimpse of why a well-prepared lifestyle analysis can be essential in ensuring all income and expenses are identified during divorce proceedings. It helps to ensure the likelihood of an equitable settlement by revealing any discrepancies between the lifestyle maintained and the income and assets reported. It can also help the court make informed decisions based on the true economic partnership of the marriage, ensuring the dissolution process is not only legally sound but also adheres to the principles of fairness and equity for both individuals as they transition to their new, independent lives.

By Christopher Byrnes, MBA, Marcum LLP | AAML Pennsylvania Platinum Partner

Accuracy is not just a goal in business valuation—it's a necessity. Marcum LLP performs valuations regularly and understands that precise calculations and judicious adjustments are essential for reliable valuations. One of the most critical adjustments we make is determining 'reasonable compensation' for business owners, an aspect often overlooked yet vital for presenting an authentic financial portrait. This article delves into the nuances of reasonable compensation and its profound impact on business valuation, sharing why it must be carefully assessed to reflect the true economic health of a company.

Reasonable compensation is a critical adjustment in a business valuation as it ensures that the profit/loss recorded by the business reflects the true economic picture by adjusting for the appropriate level of compensation for the business owner. If an owner is over-compensated, the business might appear less profitable than it actually is, as would under-compensation inflate its profitability. Both scenarios would lead to inaccurate valuations.

Numerous resources can be utilized to provide a guideline for reasonable compensation, as would using industry statistics of compensation within the owner’s industry. However, reasonable compensation is not simply based on job title and hours worked; it must also consider the annual performance. For example, the CEO of a consulting firm whose revenue is $5,000,000, where the CEO generates a small portion of the business revenues as compared to a CEO who brings in almost all $5,000,000 in revenue. If valuation experts were to utilize statistics based solely on the industry, the revenue of the company, and hours worked, they would have arrived at the same reasonable compensation for both CEOs listed above. However, this would not portray an accurate picture as an owner who generates $5,000,000 of revenue would obviously be entitled to a much higher compensation level than that of a CEO who originates very little in revenue. In this scenario, replacement compensation should consider what benefits the CEO brings to the company instead of only focusing on their hours worked and job title.

For example, let’s compare the reasonable compensation levels of professional athletes. There are thirty-two teams in the National Football League, each with a starting quarterback. Over the course of a season and career, there will be significant differences in their statistics and success despite all having the same job and working the same hours within the same industry. If an athlete were hypothetically replaced, the amount paid would vary based on their actual accomplishments. The same approach must be utilized when considering each business owner’s reasonable compensation.

The art of business valuation hinges on the fine balance between numbers and judgment, and nowhere is this more evident than in establishing reasonable compensation. As we have seen, this is not a simple arithmetic or a one-size-fits-all approach but a complex consideration of individual contribution and industry standards. This is why choosing a firm with the experience of having valued thousands of businesses, such as Marcum, is paramount.

On November 29, 2023, Carolyn presented along with fellow AAML members Carolyn N. Daly (NJ) and Heather Hostetter (MD) s a panelist in the AAML webinar, The Untapped Potential of Arbitration. The panel was moderated by AAML members Jared Pinkus (Ill) and Ryan Nowlin (OH) and was attended by approximately 50 attorneys, mostly Fellows, from across the United States. The panel discussed the benefits of binding family law arbitration, including how it can provide a more efficient, cost-effective, and tailored approach to resolving family law disputes, and provided their insights about drafting effective arbitration agreements, managing client expectations, and best practices for arbitrators and participants. The panel also addressed questions posed by the attendees. Carolyn recently authored an article in the ABA Family Advocate entitled, Family Law Arbitration: An Underutilized ADR Option, which discussed the reasons why family law arbitration is expedient, reliable, and cost-effective, including that it allows parties to litigate their disputes confidentially, select their decision-maker and procedural rules, schedule the hearing according to the availability of the parties and their witnesses, and obtain a final decision within weeks or months. The article also answered common questions about family law arbitration, including some common misconceptions, and explained how the Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act (UFLAA) provides a roadmap for the proper resolution of unique family law issues and guardrails for vulnerable family law participant. A link to the article is found here (add link). Carolyn was instrumental in drafting and advocating the Pennsylvania Family Law Arbitration Act, HB 917, which was passed by the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee on November 15, 2023, and is awaiting consideration by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

By Elle Barr, Our Family Wizard | AAML Pennsylvania Sponsor

Custody schedules lay the groundwork for effective co-parenting. Explore the pros and cons of the 70/30 plan, compare 70/30 against other schedules, and download free templates.

What Is a 70/30 Custody Schedule?

A 70/30 custody schedule is a co-parenting arrangement where one parent has the child 70% of the time while the other has 30%. This schedule has become less common than others over the past 50 years.

A 70/30 custody schedule is an alternative to joint equal parenting schedules like 50/50 or 60/40 plans. In a 70/30 plan, one parent has substantially more time than the other parent. This can work well for families who cannot split time equally.

Key Takeaways

• A 70/30 custody schedule is a physical custody arrangement where one parent has the child for 70% of the time, and the other has the child for 30%.
• Factors such as geographical distance or work commitments can make a 70/30 schedule more practical for some families than a 50/50 or 60/40 schedule.
• A 70/30 schedule often involves a 5-2 split, where one parent has the child during the school week, and the other has weekends.
• When deciding on a 70/30 custody schedule, co-parents should prioritize the child's well-being while considering logistical factors like work schedules and geographic distance.
• Co-parents can use a dedicated app to track and manage 70/30 custody schedules.

Many factors affect which schedule the co-parents select. Co-parents may start with one schedule and switch to another as circumstances change. In general, most co-parents hope to make a 50/50 custody schedule work. This joint custody schedule feels attractive because it tries to split parenting time down the middle, giving each co-parent equal parenting time. However, many co-parents can’t feasibly maintain a 50/50 schedule for various reasons.

“Some situations that prevent a 50/50 schedule are simply unavoidable. For example, perhaps geographical distance or work commitments interfere with one parent’s ability to exercise 50/50 parenting time.” -Samuel Berse

Co-parents who can’t maintain a 50/50 tend to compromise with 60/40 split custody, which gives one co-parent primary physical custody with 60% of the co-parenting time. If the 60/40 split still creates logistical problems, co-parents may land on a 70/30 split.

“A 70/30 parenting time schedule, where one parent has two overnights every week, is a common arrangement designed to prioritize practicality over equal parenting time, especially when factors such as geographical distance or work commitments come into play,” Berse says.

Here's how Family Law Attorney Julie Colton describes the difference between schedules like 50/50 and 70/30:

“Primary physical custody is when a parent has more than 50% of the custodial overnights. Partial physical custody is when a parent has less than 50% of the custodial overnights. Therefore, a 70/30 custody arrangement would be a primary/partial custody arrangement. This means that one parent has primary physical custody, and the other parent has partial physical custody.”

Like Berse, Colton points out that the 70/30 schedule usually arises out of necessity. “Usually, co-parents take on a primary/partial schedule like 70/30 when they are dealing with logistical constraints. For example, when parents live more than 30 to 40 minutes from the child’s school, a shared custody schedule (50/50) is less practical.”

Colton adds that it is important to note that the physical custody schedule does not affect the legal custody arrangements, which designates decision-making responsibilities for a child.

“Parents with a 70/30 physical custody schedule still usually have a shared legal custody agreement,” - Julie Colton

Although this schedule was popular in the 1970s, many experts don’t recommend it because it gives one co-parent significantly more time with the children. Also, the available 70/30 scheduling options can be difficult to implement.

“Determining which parent should have primary physical custody of a child and what particular parenting time schedule should be implemented can be quite complicated in the light of life’s day-to-day variabilities,” says Family law attorney Peter Stambleck.  “A straightforward implementation of a 70/30 child custody schedule would give the non-custodial parent two overnight visitations per week. This arrangement is imbalanced and not a true form of shared parenting. Clients very rarely agree to a 70/30 custody spilt, unless it is the most appropriate schedule to ensure that they continue to provide a lifestyle that is best for their child.”

Still, the 70/30 may be suitable for co-parents who live far apart or for children who prefer having a consistent home base for much of the week.  As with any parenting plan, the suitability of a 70/30 arrangement depends on how your family’s circumstances affect the realities of day-to-day life.

Stambleck puts it best: “Every family is different, and a child custody agreement needs to address the existing and anticipated needs of the family clearly and specifically. There are many factors to consider, including but not limited to the needs of the children, their ages, each co-parent’s availability, location, and other commitments that may affect the ability to care for the children.”

“Every family is different, and a child custody agreement needs to address the existing and anticipated needs of the family clearly and specifically. There are many factors to consider, including but not limited to the needs of the children, their ages, each co-parent’s availability, location, and other commitments that may affect the ability to care for the children.” - Peter /ste==

What Does a 70/30 Custody Schedule Look Like?

Co-parents with a 70/30 schedule usually split the week with a 5-2 schedule where one co-parent has the child for the school week, and the other takes weekends. Alternatives include swapping every third week or having more frequent exchanges every third day.

Berse describes the 70/30 parenting schedule like this: “A 70/30 parenting schedule involves one parent having two overnights per week (equivalent to 104 overnights per year), while the other parent has five overnights a week (260 overnights per year). Typically, co-parents divide this arrangement where one co-parent has the children during the school week and the other co-parent has them either every other weekend or most weekends (such as three weekends per month or four weekends per month in months with five weekends). Additionally, many co-parents allocate extra time during the summer for the parent with 30% custody.”

“A partial physical custody schedule is often every other weekend from Friday after school until Monday start of school, along with some weekday time,” says Colton. “The time during the week may be an overnight on the non-weekend week or an overnight each week. The weekday time may just be a few hours for dinner.”

Experts recommend mapping out a 70/30 schedule in two-week blocks. Dividing 14 days into a 70/30 split means the co-parent with 70% custody should receive around ten days and nights, and the co-parent with 30% should receive the remaining four days and nights. This approach gives co-parents a broad view of the schedule and allows for easy comparison between 70/30 and other common custody schedules.

For the parent with 30% custody or partial custody, Colton adds that some situations require that time to be supervised. “Where there is an issue with a substance use disorder or untreated mental health issues that cause a risk the child, then there may be a need for supervised custody.” She adds that this may be a temporary solution: “A parent who is addressing issues of substance use disorder and/or untreated mental health problems that are negatively affecting the child may find themselves with a partial physical custody schedule while any safety concerns for the children are being addressed.”

 

70/30 vs. 60/40 Custody Schedules

In a 70/30 custody schedule, one parent has the child about 70% of the time, while the other has them 30%. In a 60/40 plan, one parent has the child 60% of the time, and the other parent has them 40%.

In a 14-day block, a 60/40 custody schedule typically allocates eight days to the co-parent with 60% custody and six days to the co-parent with 40% custody. 60/40 parenting plans often use a 3-4 weekly schedule, alternating custody in four-day and three-day blocks.

On the other hand, a 70/30 split provides the parent with primary custody with significantly more time with the children. Instead of a 3-4 weekly schedule, a 70/30 split typically utilizes a 5-2 split variation.

Berse says co-parents often adopt the 70/30 parenting schedule by necessity, typically due to the work schedules. "A 70/30 schedule is commonplace when it's simply not feasible for one parent to have weekday overnights during the children's school year,” he says. “Co-parents usually adopt this schedule because it's practical.”

70/30 vs. 80/20 Custody Schedules

A 70/30 custody schedule involves one parent having the child 70% of the time while the other parent has them 30% of the time. An 80/20 custody schedule means one parent has the child 80% of the time while the other parent has them 20% of the time.

In a 14-day block, an 80/20 custody schedule allocates 11 days to the co-parent with 80% custody. It is common for co-parents to follow an assigned weekend custody schedule, where the child spends pre-determined weekends each month with the non-custodial co-parent.

In the 80/20 arrangement, the primary custodial parent assumes 80% of the parenting time, representing a 10% increase over the 70/30 plan. The decision between the two plans depends on the co-parents’ circumstances and the child’s best interests.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a 70/30 Parenting Schedule

When choosing a 70/30 parenting schedule, it is crucial to consider significant factors that may affect how the plan works. For example, consider the child's age and needs, the distance between co-parents, the parents’ work schedules, and the level of conflict between co-parents.

A standardized custody agreement won’t accommodate the diverse circumstances and preferences of different families. A personalized approach, where co-parents work together to understand and adapt to specific circumstances, is essential in selecting the right parenting schedule.

Choosing a custody schedule involves multiple factors, which can cause conflicts. For example, co-parents of a young child might lean toward a 5-2 plan to foster regular interactions. However, if they live far apart, implementing a 5-2 schedule can present logistical obstacles. In making these decisions, the child’s well-being must always take precedence.

While there is much to consider when evaluating custody arrangements, here is breakdown of four key factors to consider before choosing 70/30 schedule:

• Child’s age
  The child’s age plays a significant role in determining the time they require with each co-parent. Contemporary attachment theory underscores the crucial influence of secure parent-child relationships on a child's emotional and psychological development. Extensive research consistently highlights the necessity for children to have sufficient and consistent contact with both co-parents to form healthy relationships.
  
  For instance, a seminal review from 2004, Adolescent-parent attachment: Bonds that support healthy development, underscores the importance of secure attachment with both parents. The paper emphasizes that just like in early childhood, secure attachment in adolescence profoundly impacts development, fostering exploration and the development of cognitive, social, and emotional competence. These findings emphasize the significance of maintaining strong bonds with both parents throughout a child's development to support their overall well-being and optimal growth.
  
  A 5-2 schedule or every-third-day plan is the best option for younger children who will benefit from regular interactions with both parents. Teens and pre-teens will likely prefer the 5-2 or every-third-week schedule.

• Physical distance
  The physical distance between co-parents is another crucial factor when deciding between 70/30 custody schedules. The proximity of the co-parents' residences can significantly impact the feasibility of a parenting schedule.
  
  If co-parents live apart, frequent household exchanges can be stressful for the child and co-parents. Depending on the distance, the 5-2 schedule and every-other-week schedules can work. For example, if co-parents live an hour apart or more, even the 5-2 schedule may prove to be too stressful.

• Parent’s work schedule
  Co-parents need to evaluate their work commitments and determine how it aligns with the proposed schedule. Work schedules that involve long hours, frequent travel, or irregular shifts can pose challenges in maintaining a consistent custody arrangement.
  
  For example, if one co-parent has a demanding work schedule during specific, consistent days of the week, the co-parents can shift the schedule so the parenting days fall on days off from work. For example, the 5-2 schedule can work very well if the co-parent with 70% custody has a flexible working week. Then, the co-parent, with a demanding weekly schedule, will have the children on the weekends. Of course, co-parents can change the day that the 5-2 starts to accommodate different or unconventional work schedules.

• Child’s school schedule
  Finally, co-parents should evaluate how a 70/30 schedule will affect their children’s school commitments. During the school year, the 70/30 schedule should promote a consistent routine that allows the child to focus on school and extracurricular activities. For example, every third day schedule doesn’t work well during the school week (unless the co-parents live very close to one another) because the child will have to juggle schoolwork with exchanging households.
  
  Also, co-parents may want to ensure they both can attend school events, parent-teacher conferences, or extracurriculars.
   

How to Pick the Best 70/30 Custody Schedule for Your Family

When selecting a 70/30 schedule, consider your child’s age, the distance between co-parents, work schedules, and school commitments. Be sure to prioritize your child’s well-being, and ask them for input.

Here's a quick checklist of questions to consider when determining if a 70/30 custody schedule would suit your family. Remember that your child's best interests should always be the primary guiding consideration.
 

• Child's age: How old is your child, and what are their specific needs regarding regular interactions and stability?  Will a 70/30 schedule provide sufficient quality time with each parent for your child?
• Child’s well-being: How will a 70/30 schedule affect your child?
• Distance between co-parents: How far apart do you and the other co-parent live? Will frequent exchanges be manageable?
• Work schedules: Do both co-parents have work schedules that allow consistent and reliable parenting time? Are there any irregular shifts or travel involved that could pose challenges?
• Child's school schedule: Will the proposed custody schedule support the child's academic commitments and extracurricular activities? Can both co-parents be available for school events and parent-teacher conferences?
• Level of conflict: How well do you and your co-parent communicate and cooperate? Is there a significant level of conflict that could affect the custody schedule?
• Child's preferences: Have you considered the child's preferences and desires regarding the custody schedule? How involved do they want to be in shaping their own schedule as they grow older?

Easiest Way to Track 70/30 Custody Schedules

Take control of your co-parenting schedule with OurFamilyWizard. This powerful co-parenting app offers comprehensive tools for co-parents looking for an easier way to manage their custody schedule.

“The OurFamilyWizard Calendar feature easily accommodates the 2 out of 7 nights, 70/30 parenting schedule, and also supports custom 70/30 plans,” notes family law attorney Stambleck.

A standout feature is the Trade/Swap™ tool. With just a few clicks, co-parents can easily communicate about schedule adjustments. Trade/Swap helps parents propose a day swap, request a trade in parenting time, and respond to requests from the other parent. When a request is approved, the schedule updates automatically—no need to manually enter adjustments.

OurFamilyWizard’s dedicated platform tailored for co-parents offers a practical solution to enhance and streamline the co-parenting dynamic. With it, you'll experience a newfound level of organization and efficiency in managing your custody schedule.

A note about this article: This is an abridged version of the article which was originally posted on Our Family Wizard. To view the full article, which includes additional resources like schedule examples and templates, click HERE.

A Note on Terminology 

In general, the term “physical custody” refers to which parent a child lives with. Today, many experts use other terms to describe this arrangement, like “parenting schedule” or “parenting time arrangement.” These new terms better represent a relationship and the parent’s responsibilities for their children. But just a heads up: this article uses these older and newer terms interchangeably.  

2023 AAML Arbitration Training Institute

Rochelle B. (“Shelly”) Grossman and Carolyn Zack led the Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) 2023 Arbitration Training Institute in Chicago on June 1 and 2, 2023. The Institute planners were Academy Fellows Amy J. Amundsen (Tennessee) and Jennifer Bingham (Massachusetts), co-chairs of the AAML Arbitration Committee, pictured below with Shelly and Carolyn. Judge Robert Childers, a Circuit Court judge, mediator, and AAA-trained arbitrator, served as a guest lecturer and offered guidance on practical, ethical, and jurisdictional issues. PBA Family Law Section member Maris J. Weiner attended and made valuable contributions to the program. The two day in-person training provided 13 hours of CLE credits, including one hour of ethics, and participants received a certificate of training issued by the AAML. Participants also received feedback from their advisors, Academy Fellows with experience as arbitrators, on their draft agreements to arbitrate, interim directives, and arbitration awards. The attendees included more than 30 attorneys from across the country, Fellows and non-Fellows, who engaged in a lively and thoughtful discussion about the benefits of family law arbitration, shared information about their local family law practice and experience, and offered their perspectives on best practices for family law arbitrators. All participants, including Shelly and Carolyn, came away from the program feeling better prepared to tackle complicated arbitration-related issues. An overwhelming theme of the Institute is the need for a more uniform approach to family law arbitration and the adoption of the Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act (UFLAA) throughout the country. Another outcome of the training institute is the demand for more certified arbitrators trained by the AAML, which is the only professional organization training family law arbitrators. If you are interested in attending the AAML Arbitration Training Institute next year, please reach out to Shelly at shelly@pottsshoemaker.com or Carolyn at czack@momjiananderer.com.