{"id":19232,"date":"2023-01-26T14:03:30","date_gmt":"2023-01-26T19:03:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.verreaudufresneavocats.com\/?p=19232"},"modified":"2025-10-29T11:26:40","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T15:26:40","slug":"shared-or-sole-custody","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.verreaudufresneavocats.com\/en\/publications\/family-law\/shared-or-sole-custody\/","title":{"rendered":"Shared or Sole Custody: Understanding Your Options"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>When parents separate, they must decide on child custody. In law, <span class=\"vda-def\" data-def=\"Legal term used to describe custody arrangements in the context of a divorce\">parenting time<\/span> must be allocated in the child\u2019s interest, which always takes priority over the parents\u2019 interests. Whether it is a divorce or the separation of a couple that is or is not covered by the new parental union regime, all children have the same rights and their custody must be decided based on their best interests. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.verreaudufresneavocats.com\/en\/services\/family-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">family lawyers<\/a> explain the types of custody available to you in detail to help you organize your family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-1-sole-custody-of-children\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Sole custody of children<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The term \u201c <strong>sole custody<\/strong> \u201d means that one parent has <strong>custody <\/strong>of their child&nbsp;<strong>full time<\/strong>, that is, between 220 and 365 days a year. The number of days varies depending on the agreements reached by the parents or the conclusions of a court judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the other days, the child will spend time with the non-custodial parent. In law, the concept of \u201c <strong>access rights<\/strong> \u201d refers to contact between the non-custodial parent and their child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is useful to distinguish <strong>access rights<\/strong> from <strong>extended access rights<\/strong>, since the number of days the non-custodial parent has the child will affect the calculation of child support. On this topic, we invite you to read our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.verreaudufresneavocats.com\/en\/publications\/family-law\/child-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">child support<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1.1. Sole custody with access rights (0 to 72 days a year)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The number of access days for a non-custodial parent varies depending on the agreements reached by the parents or the conclusions of a court judgment. When the non-custodial parent has contact with the child between 0 and 72 days a year, the custodial parent is said to have \u201c&nbsp;<strong>sole custody with access rights for the other parent&nbsp;<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Example<\/strong>&nbsp;: Mathilde and Paul separate. They are the parents of Charlotte, aged four. They decide that Charlotte will live full time with Mathilde and visit her father every other weekend. Charlotte will also spend one full week with each parent during the summer and during the holiday season.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this case, Paul has access rights to Charlotte for 62 days a year, and Mathilde has sole custody.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1.2 Sole custody with extended access rights (73 to 145 days a year)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the non-custodial parent has contact with their child between 73 and 145 days a year, this is called <strong>sole custody with extended access rights<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Example<\/strong>&nbsp;: Rose and Cl\u00e9ment are the parents of L\u00e9a, aged five. Cl\u00e9ment has custody of L\u00e9a, while Rose sees her daughter as follows&nbsp;:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2013 Every other weekend during the school year;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2013 Every other week during the summer;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2013 One week during the holiday season;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2013 Seven days during spring break;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2013 Four statutory holidays a year.<br><br>L\u00e9a therefore visits her mother about 90 days a year. Rose has <strong>extended access rights <\/strong>to L\u00e9a, while Cl\u00e9ment has <strong>sole custody<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1.3 Sole custody with supervised access rights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The court can require that the non-custodial parent\u2019s access rights be \u201c supervised \u201d. In that case, the non-custodial parent cannot exercise their access rights alone with their child. A <strong>neutral person<\/strong> must be present <strong>at all times<\/strong> during visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The court may issue such an order because of certain <strong>factors or issues related to the non-custodial parent<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For example<\/strong>, supervised access may be ordered when the non-custodial parent&nbsp;:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Has alcohol use problems;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Has a mental health issue;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Has not seen the child for some time, or has their <span class=\"vda-def\" data-def=\"The parent\u2019s ability or inability to care for the child and provide basic care (food, hygiene, attention\u2026)\"><strong>parenting capacity<\/strong><\/span> called into question by the other parent. In that case, supervised access may be ordered for a set number of weeks. Once the non-custodial parent has exercised access, the judge can reassess whether supervision should continue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A parent who claims that the other parent\u2019s access requires supervision must apply to the court through a proceeding called an <em>Application for supervised access rights<\/em>. This application can also be presented as part of a safeguard order. On this topic, we invite you to read our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.verreaudufresneavocats.com\/en\/publications\/family-law\/safeguard-order-family-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">safeguard orders in family law<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The test the judge applies to justify such an order is the <strong>child\u2019s interest<\/strong>. When the child\u2019s interest calls for supervised access, the judge then decides on the frequency and length of contact, who will supervise, where visits will take place and any other necessary arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Supervised access is structured in this way to allow positive contact between the parent and their child. The length of the order depends on the issue involving the non-custodial parent. Supervision can be more or less temporary, depending on the circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>child\u2019s interest <\/strong>is a legal concept whose analysis involves a complex process. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.verreaudufresneavocats.com\/en\/services\/family-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Our family lawyers<\/a> are well versed in the most recent case law on this subject and can help you assess whether the child\u2019s interest requires supervised access. <a href=\"#footer\">Do not hesitate to contact them<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-advgb-button_link advgbbtn-1da38ce6-6cb9-407d-b88b-5e238b1ee093\" href=\"#footer\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Contact a lawyer<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1.3.1 Who can supervise access?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a>Each parent can suggest people they trust from their circle to supervise access. The judge can take these suggestions into account or appoint any other person if the child\u2019s interest requires it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The access supervisor must undertake in writing to comply with certain conditions, which are listed in <a href=\"https:\/\/coursuperieureduquebec.ca\/fileadmin\/cour-superieure\/Pdf_Word_par_district\/districts\/val-d-or\/AVIS_AUX_SUPERVISEURS_DE_DROITS_D_ACCES.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">this document<\/a> (in French).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The judge can also order that access be supervised by a worker from a <span class=\"vda-def\" data-def=\"Social services organization that offers, among other things, supervised access services\"><strong>Maison de la famille<\/strong> <\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1.3.2 Where does supervised access take place?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The judge orders that supervised access take place in a <strong>neutral location that is safe for the child<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The location can be the home of the parent concerned or the supervisor\u2019s home. When access is supervised by a worker from a Maison de la famille, the visit takes place on the organization\u2019s premises. The worker observes the contact between the non-custodial parent and their child to make sure the visit goes well. The custodial parent is not present during the visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Shared custody of children<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes, the child\u2019s interest favours shared custody. The parents can then decide to share custody days <strong>equally (50-50 custody)<\/strong>, or in an unequal proportion ranging from <strong>146 to 219 days<\/strong> <strong>(60-40 custody)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2.1 50-50 shared custody<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">50-50 shared custody means that each parent has 182.5 days a year with their child. There are several shared custody schedules, which vary depending on the child\u2019s interest. Here are a few examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201c 7 days \/ 7 days \u201d shared custody schedule<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Monday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Tuesday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Wednesday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Thursday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Friday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Saturday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Sunday<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Week 1<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Father<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Week 2<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this example, each parent has 7 consecutive days with their child, on an alternating basis. The start of the week can vary depending on what works best for the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201c 2 days \/ 2 days \/ 3 days \u201d shared custody schedule<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Monday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Tuesday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Wednesday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Thursday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Friday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Saturday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Sunday<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Week 1<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Father<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Week 2<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This schedule is often proposed when the child is very young, so that they see their parents for short periods but as often as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201c 2 days \/ 2 days \/ 5 days \/ 5 days \u201d shared custody schedule (also called the \u201c&nbsp;5-2-2-5 schedule&nbsp;\u201d)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Monday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Tuesday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Wednesday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Thursday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Friday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Saturday<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Sunday<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Week 1<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Father<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Week 2<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Father<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><td>Mother<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This schedule offers a compromise between the first and second schedules. Each parent sees the child every other weekend, and weekdays are shared. In this schedule, weekends are three days long and include Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Note that you can propose other 50-50 custody schedules than those described above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2.2 60-40 shared custody<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shared custody does not always mean an equal split of the days in the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When each parent has custody between 146 and 219 days a year, this is also shared custody within the meaning of the law. How this type of custody is set up can vary depending on your agreements, the child\u2019s interest or a court judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Can your child choose which parent they want to live with?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We invite you to read our article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.verreaudufresneavocats.com\/en\/publications\/family-law\/child-custody-age-choose-parent\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Child custody: the age at which a child can decide which parent to live with<\/a> to find the answer to this question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Grandparents\u2019 access rights to their grandchildren<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If one of the parents refuses to let their child have contact with the grandparents, the grandparents have a remedy. In Quebec, grandparents can apply for <strong>grandparent access rights<\/strong> to restore contact with their grandchildren, even against a parent\u2019s wishes. Our family lawyers can advise and represent you in these circumstances.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Contact our family lawyers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Parents can agree on how to share custody time. If they disagree, the court will have to step in, and a judge will set the custody arrangements based on your child\u2019s best interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is important to act early to plan for an out-of-court settlement or a possible court hearing. Do not hesitate to contact <a href=\"https:\/\/www.verreaudufresneavocats.com\/en\/services\/family-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">our family lawyers<\/a>, who can help you with the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" style=\"list-style-type:1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Analyze your rights <\/strong>and give you a straight answer<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" style=\"list-style-type:1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Develop a strategy<\/strong> to apply for custody of your children<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" style=\"list-style-type:1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Change the terms <\/strong>of an existing custody arrangement<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" style=\"list-style-type:1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Apply for supervised access rights<\/strong>, if needed<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"5\" style=\"list-style-type:1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verreaudufresneavocats.com\/en\/publications\/family-law\/child-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Calculate the child support<\/strong><\/a> related to custody of the children<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"6\" style=\"list-style-type:1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Negotiate <\/strong>an out-of-court settlement, if the situation allows<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"7\" style=\"list-style-type:1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Represent you in court<\/strong>, if no agreement is reached, to argue for the type of custody and arrangements that best serve your children\u2019s interests.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-advgb-button_link advgbbtn-17fb0f7d-d0aa-40a9-b376-2d10fdfe3df6\" href=\"#footer\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Contact a lawyer<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<style class=\"advgb-styles-renderer\">.advgbbtn-1da38ce6-6cb9-407d-b88b-5e238b1ee093{font-size:18px;color:#fff !important;background-color:#fe823c !important;margin:30px 0px 30px 0px !important;padding:10px 30px 10px 30px;border-width:1px !important;border-style:none;border-radius:50px !important;}.advgbbtn-1da38ce6-6cb9-407d-b88b-5e238b1ee093:hover{box-shadow:1px 1px 12px 0px #ccc;opacity:1;transition:all 0.2s ease;}.advgbbtn-1da38ce6-6cb9-407d-b88b-5e238b1ee093 > i {display: none !important;}.advgbbtn-17fb0f7d-d0aa-40a9-b376-2d10fdfe3df6{font-size:18px;color:#fff !important;background-color:#fe823c !important;margin:30px 0px 30px 0px !important;padding:10px 30px 10px 30px;border-width:1px !important;border-style:none;border-radius:50px !important;}.advgbbtn-17fb0f7d-d0aa-40a9-b376-2d10fdfe3df6:hover{box-shadow:1px 1px 12px 0px #ccc;opacity:1;transition:all 0.2s ease;}.advgbbtn-17fb0f7d-d0aa-40a9-b376-2d10fdfe3df6 > i {display: none !important;}.advgbbtn-4eee91d5-5d89-4d9a-8af2-dd5718bee513{font-size:18px;color:#fff !important;background-color:#fe823c !important;margin:30px 0px 30px 0px !important;padding:10px 30px 10px 30px;border-width:1px !important;border-style:none;border-radius:50px !important;}.advgbbtn-4eee91d5-5d89-4d9a-8af2-dd5718bee513:hover{box-shadow:1px 1px 12px 0px #ccc;opacity:1;transition:all 0.2s ease;}.advgbbtn-4eee91d5-5d89-4d9a-8af2-dd5718bee513 > i {display: none !important;}.advgbbtn-ffdf1cc9-9373-45e4-b8f0-5e7768cf2cdf{font-size:18px;color:#fff !important;background-color:#fe823c !important;margin:30px 0px 30px 0px !important;padding:10px 30px 10px 30px;border-width:1px !important;border-style:none;border-radius:50px !important;}.advgbbtn-ffdf1cc9-9373-45e4-b8f0-5e7768cf2cdf:hover{box-shadow:1px 1px 12px 0px #ccc;opacity:1;transition:all 0.2s ease;}.advgbbtn-ffdf1cc9-9373-45e4-b8f0-5e7768cf2cdf > i {display: none !important;}<\/style>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When parents separate, they must decide on child custody. In law, parenting time must be allocated in the child\u2019s interest, which always takes priority over the parents\u2019 interests. Whether it is a divorce or the separation of a couple that is or is not covered by the new parental union regime, all children have the<a class=\"excerpt-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verreaudufresneavocats.com\/en\/publications\/family-law\/shared-or-sole-custody\/\" title=\"ReadShared or Sole Custody: Understanding Your Options\">&#8230; Read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":5137,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[135],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19232","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-law"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.7 (Yoast SEO v28.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Shared or Sole Custody: Understanding Your Options &#8226; Verreau Dufresne Avocats<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Our family lawyers explain the custody options available to parents in Quebec, from sole custody with access rights to shared custody.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verreaudufresneavocats.com\/en\/publications\/family-law\/shared-or-sole-custody\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Shared or Sole Custody: Understanding Your Options\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"When parents separate, they must decide on child custody. 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