As a Dallas divorce and child custody attorney at The Blacknall Firm, I often get asked the question of how far apart two people can live and still have a 50/50 custody arrangement. The truth is, the answer is not clear cut.

The law does not have a specific distance that parents must live in order to have a 50/50 custody arrangement. This is completely at the discretion of the court. However, there is a point at which 50/50 custody doesn’t make sense because the parents live too far apart.

When determining custody arrangements, it’s important to keep in mind that the parent with possession of the children during their time will have to transport them to school, extracurricular activities, and other appointments. If the distance between the parents is too far, it can make it difficult for the children to maintain their daily routine.

In my experience, I suggest that parents live no more than 10 miles apart in order to make a 50/50 custody arrangement work. This is about a 15-20 minute drive in an urban area. It’s important to keep in mind that this is just a suggestion and the final decision will be up to the court.

If you have a specific situation that you would like to discuss with someone on our team, please visit our website to schedule a call. We understand that child custody arrangements can be a difficult and emotional process, and we are here to guide you through it. If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to us.