Opinion ID: 2360195
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Alternating Primary Placement

Text: Second, to the extent consideration of those six non-statutory factors is discretionary when shared placement is considered in making a joint custody award, the non-statutory factors were not applicable to the facts of this case. Shared placement is generally an alternating weekly or monthly arrangement when the parents' homes are in close proximity. The stipulated arrangement in this case provided for joint custody with primary placement  not shared placement  alternating annually on a school-year basis, and where the parents' homes are located in different states. Alternating primary placement must be distinguished from shared placement. Under primary placement arrangements, one parent is the primary residential custodian. In a shared placement arrangement, the child resides with each parent on an alternating weekly, monthly or similar basis. [13] Most courts have concluded that it is generally not in a child's best interests to be transferred between his or her parents on a short-term basis. [14] Some courts have declined to divide primary placement based on a finding that such a division is not in the child's best interests. [15] Other courts have concluded that the child is entitled to the love, advice, and training of both parents; [16] and have awarded alternating or shared primary placement [17] when such placement was found to be in the child's best interests. [18] Some custody decisions from other jurisdictions recognize a court's authority to make an award alternating the child's primary residence on an annual basis. These cases also reflect, however, that such arrangements are unique and constitute an exception to the general preference for one continuous primary placement even when custody is joint. Orders granting each parent primary placement in alternating years have been entered based on evidence that such placement would be in the child's best interests or that the potential harm of a stable single primary placement arrangement outweighs the problems inherent in an alternating arrangement. [19]