50/50 Joint Custody in Louisiana: How to Achieve and Manage Shared Custody

Can You Get 50/50 Joint Custody in Louisiana?

One of the most common questions Louisiana parents ask during a divorce or custody dispute is: "Can I get 50/50 custody?" The answer is yes — shared or equal custody arrangements are common in Louisiana, and the law actually favors joint custody in many circumstances. However, achieving and sustaining a true 50/50 arrangement requires more than just agreement between the parents. It requires a workable parenting plan, cooperation, and in many cases, the assistance of an experienced family law attorney.

Louisiana's Presumption in Favor of Joint Custody

Louisiana Civil Code Article 132 establishes that courts shall award joint custody of a child to the parents when it is in the child's best interest. Joint custody does not automatically mean an equal time split, but it does mean that both parents share legal custody — the right to participate in major decisions about the child's education, healthcare, and welfare — and some degree of physical custody.

A true 50/50 physical custody arrangement — where the child spends equal time with each parent — is achievable when:

• Both parents live in reasonably close proximity;
• Both parents are fit and capable of meeting the child's needs;
• The arrangement is consistent with the child's school schedule and activities; and
• Both parents are willing and able to cooperate effectively on co-parenting.

Common 50/50 Custody Schedules in Louisiana

There is no single standard schedule for 50/50 custody in Louisiana — courts and parents have flexibility in crafting arrangements that work for the child. Common equal-time schedules include:

• Week on / Week off: The child alternates between each parent's home on a weekly basis. This minimizes transitions and provides longer periods of stability with each parent.
• 2-2-3 Schedule: The child spends 2 days with Parent A, 2 days with Parent B, then 3 days with Parent A, alternating each week.
• 2-2-5-5 Schedule: Two days with Parent A, two days with Parent B, five days with Parent A, five days with Parent B, repeating.
• Alternating weeks with mid-week visit: One parent has the child for a full week, with the other parent getting a mid-week overnight visit, alternating.

The Domiciliary Parent Designation

Even in a 50/50 arrangement, Louisiana courts typically designate one parent as the domiciliary parent — the parent who has the authority to make final decisions for the child when the parents cannot agree. This designation does not diminish the other parent's rights, but it provides a tie-breaker mechanism to avoid deadlock on important decisions.

When Is 50/50 Custody Not Appropriate?

A 50/50 arrangement may not be in the child's best interest when there is a history of domestic abuse, substance abuse, significant geographic distance between the parents, very young children with attachment needs, or a parent who is unable or unwilling to meet the child's day-to-day needs. Courts will always prioritize the child's safety and stability over equal time.

Modifying an Existing Custody Order

If you currently have a custody order that does not provide for equal time and you believe a 50/50 arrangement would now serve your child's best interests, you may petition the court for a modification. To succeed, you must show a material change in circumstances since the original order was entered and that the proposed modification is in the child's best interest.

The Rhodes Law Firm helps parents across Southeast Louisiana — including Orleans, Jefferson, St. Charles Parish, St. Tammany, Livingston, and Tangipahoa parishes — establish, negotiate, and modify custody arrangements. We work to build parenting plans that protect your relationship with your child.

Call (504) 475-0975 or schedule a free consultation today.