Brief overview
The present text version is a draft and is based exclusively on the permitted source snapshot S196:C1 (Index of newly included decisions of the Federal Supreme Court). This index contains no substantive case analysis or decisions regarding alternating custody. Therefore, the following is a concise, generic outline of the topic; specific legal issues and court decisions must be supported by supplementary research in case law and specialist literature.
1. Term
Alternating custody (shared parenting arrangement) is understood to mean that the child regularly and systematically alternates between the residences of both parents while joint custody remains in place. The time allocation can range from alternating weeks to shorter periods or more complex schedules.
2. Typical requirements (overview)
3. Possible advantages
4. Practical and legal-dogmatic notes
Whether the alternating residence model is in the child’s best interests in the specific case is determined by the competent authority based on the individual circumstances. Decisive criteria there are usually the parents’ ability to cooperate, the child’s resilience, reliable framework conditions and possible burdens caused by frequent transitions. Case law can provide guidance in borderline cases; these are not cited here because the present source contains no decisions.
5. Further steps for a more detailed presentation
For a publishable, source-faithful presentation, at least the following additional sources are required:
Source note (only existing source for this draft): S196:C1 – Bundesgericht, Liste der neu aufgenommenen Entscheide (Index). This source contains no substantive content on the subject.