Does joint decision-making mean my child has to live with both parents equally?
No. Joint decision-making responsibility and equal parenting time are two entirely separate concepts in Ontario family law, and they do not go together automatically.
Joint decision-making means both parents share authority over major decisions — schooling, healthcare, religion, significant extracurricular activities. It says nothing about how much time the child spends with each parent. A family can have joint decision-making with an 80/20 parenting time split, or with a 50/50 schedule, or anything in between.
Courts design the parenting time schedule and the decision-making arrangement separately, each based on what serves the child's best interests. A parent who works demanding shifts may have less parenting time but still share in major decisions. A parent who lives nearby may have a lot of day-to-day time but no decision-making authority if there are specific concerns.
If you are reading a proposed separation agreement or parenting plan, look at both the decision-making section and the parenting schedule section independently to understand what you are agreeing to.
Key takeaways
- Joint decision-making and equal parenting time are separate issues.
- You can have joint decision-making with any parenting time split.
- Courts tailor each arrangement to the child's and family's specific circumstances.
- Read parenting agreements carefully — the two sections govern different things.