Parenting Time vs. Decision-Making Responsibility in Alberta Family Law

When parents separate, one of the most important questions is how they will share the care of their children. In Alberta, two key terms often cause confusion: parenting time and decision-making responsibility.

While these concepts are related, they mean very different things under the Divorce Act and Alberta’s Family Law Act. Understanding the difference can help parents build clear, workable parenting arrangements that put their children’s best interests first.

What Is Parenting Time?

Parenting time refers to the time a child spends in the care of each parent. It covers the day-to-day aspects of raising a child, including:

• Where the child lives.
• Daily routines, meals, and activities.
• Immediate caregiving decisions, such as bedtime, homework, and discipline.

Parenting time can be:

• Shared: Where the child spends significant time with both parents.
• Primary residence: Where the child lives mostly with one parent, while the other has scheduled visits.
• Supervised: In some cases, visits may be supervised if there are safety concerns.

The schedule for parenting time is usually set out in a parenting plan or court order, based on the best interests of the child.

Learn more: Child Custody and Support in Edmonton

What Is Decision-Making Responsibility?

Decision-making responsibility (formerly called “custody” in older legislation) refers to the authority to make important long-term decisions about a child’s life. This includes:

• Education (school choice, tutoring, special programs).
• Health care (medical treatment, therapy, dental care).
• Religion and cultural upbringing.
• Extracurricular activities.

Decision-making responsibility can be:

• Sole: One parent makes the major decisions.
• Joint/shared: Both parents must consult and agree.
• Divided: Each parent is responsible for certain areas (e.g., one handles education, the other health care).

How the Courts Decide

When determining parenting time and decision-making responsibility, Alberta courts always focus on the best interests of the child. Factors include:

• The child’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
• The ability of each parent to provide stability and care.
• The child’s relationship with each parent.
• Any history of family violence.

Every family situation is different. The goal is to create an arrangement that supports the child’s healthy development and maintains meaningful relationships with both parents where possible.

Parenting Time and Decision-Making Are Separate

One of the most common misunderstandings is assuming that the parent with more parenting time automatically has decision-making power. In fact, these are two separate issues.

• A parent may have limited parenting time but still share joint decision-making responsibility.
• A parent may have the majority of parenting time but not exclusive authority over major decisions.

This distinction is important because it affects both daily life and long-term planning for the child.

Resolving Disputes

Parents can agree on parenting time and decision-making responsibility through:

• Negotiation or mediation with the help of lawyers.
• Collaborative family law processes.
• Court orders if no agreement can be reached.

Learn more: Collaborative Family Law in Edmonton

Final Thoughts

Separating parenting time from decision-making responsibility helps create parenting arrangements that are clearer and more balanced. For parents, understanding the difference is the first step toward building a plan that works for everyone — especially the children.

Contact Cambria Law for Parenting Arrangements in Alberta

If you are separating or divorcing and need guidance on parenting time and decision-making responsibility, Cambria Law can help. Noori Sidhu and Renn Spence provide practical advice and tailored solutions that prioritize your children’s best interests.