“Timeshare”
What is “Timeshare” as it relates to family law?
In California, “Timeshare” refers to the amount of time (calculated in a percentage) that each minor child spends with each parent, pursuant to the parents’ custody and visitation agreement as part of their family law matter.
Why are “Timeshare” calculations important?
“Timeshare” calculations are important in family law matters because “Timeshare” is a key factor used in calculating California Guideline Child Support. [1]
How is “Timeshare” calculated?
“Timeshare” calculations are typically calculated in a percentage format. The way in which your county recommends arriving at that percentage could vary slightly, so it is important to understand the local rules and practices of your county for this purpose.
The California Guideline Child Support Calculator includes a chart to assist parents in calculating their timeshare in days, rounding to the nearest whole percentage. [2] Santa Clara County, for example, published a similar chart in their local rules and includes specific definitions to clarify what constitutes a “weekend”, “extended weekend,” etc. for this purpose. [3]
San Diego County, on the other hand, published a chart that recommends calculating “timeshare” by using the number of “actual hours” spent with the minor child(ren), and rounds to the nearest tenth of a percentage. [4]
These calculations may not result in wildly different percentages, but when it comes to using this figure to calculate child support, you will want to be sure you’re using the method that is standard in your county.
California Guideline Child Support Timeshare Chart [2]
1 weekend per month (7%)
1 3-day weekend per month (10%)
1 2½-day weekend per month (8%)
2 weekends per month (13%)
1 weekend per month and 1 evening per week (14%)
Alternate weekends (14%)
Alternate weekends + 2 summer weeks (18%)
Alternate weekends, ½ holidays and 2 summer weeks (19%)
Alternate weekends, ½ holidays and 2 summer weeks (Parent 2 also has 2 summer weeks ) (18%)
Two 3-day weekends per month (20%)
Two 2½-day weekends per month (16%)
Alternate weekends and 1 evening per week (21%)
Alternate weekends and 1 overnight per week (28%)
Alternate 3-day weekends (21%)
Alternate 2½-day weekends (18%)
Alternate weekends, ½ holidays and 4 summer weeks (alternate summer weekends with makeups) (21%)
Alternate weekends, ½ holidays and 4 summer weeks (no alternating summer weekends) (21%)
Alternate weekends & ½ holidays and ½ summer (with or without alternate summer weekends) (22%)
Alternate 3-day weekends plus 1 evening per week (28%)
Alternate 2½-day weekends plus 1 evening per week (25%)
Alternate 3-day weekends plus 1 overnight Weekend per week (36%)
Alternate 2½-day weekends plus 1 overnight weekend per week (32%)
Alternate Weekend, 1/2 Holidays, 1 Evening/Week, 4 Summer Weeks (alternate weekends in summer, with makeups) (28%)
Alternate Weekends, 1 Evening/Week When School is in Session, and 1/2 School Vacation (28%)
3 days per week (43%)
First, third, and fifth weekends (15%)
First, third, fifth, 3-day weekends (23%)
First, third, fifth, 2½-day weekends (19%)
First, third, and alternate fifth weekends (14%)
First, third, alternate fifth 3-day weekends (21%)
First, third, alternate fifth 2½-day weekends (18%)
Manual Calculation Option (Number of hours/days/weeks/months per day/week/month/year)
Manual Additional Timeshare Adjustment Option (Additional number of hours/days/weeks/months per day/week/month/year)
Can Mediation help calculate my “Timeshare”?
YES - Working with a mediator can be helpful to accurately calculate your “timeshare”.
For example, not every custody and visitation schedule will conform to the above chart, and some can be rather complex. Every family has unique needs and their custody and visitation arrangements will reflect that. Rather than litigating the issue, meaning paying for two opposing attorneys to spend a great deal of time calculating and potentially arguing about percentages before a judge, to decide your “timeshare”, we can work together to calculate the visitation time and include the nuance of your holidays, vacations, and so forth, to find a percentage that accurately represents your “timeshare”.
Lea M. Nemeth, PC is dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible outcome for your particular circumstance. Book a Consultation today to learn more about how Mediation can benefit you and your loved ones.
Related FAQs:
Footnotes
[1] See California Family Code § 4055
[2] See California Child Support Services, Guideline Calculator, Advanced Timeshare Selection
[3] See Santa Clara County Court Rules, Appendix (B)(1)-(2)
[4] See Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, Office of the Family Law Facilitator (SDSC FLF-009), “How to Calculate Your Timeshare”
