Understanding PPR and PAR: Why Child Custody Labels Matter in Shared Parenting
When parents separate or divorce, determining child custody and support can get complicated. You may have heard the terms "Parent of Primary Residence" (PPR) and "Parent of Alternate Residence" (PAR). Understanding what these mean—and why they matter—can help you navigate the process with more confidence.
What Are PPR and PAR?
The terms PPR and PAR come into play when deciding where a child primarily lives. The PPR is the parent with whom the child spends most of their overnight time—more than 50% of the year. The PAR is the other parent. These labels are important because they can affect the amount of child support one parent has to pay, even if both parents share custody equally.
Why Do Parents Dispute These Labels?
You might assume that in a 50-50 custody situation, where the child spends an equal amount of time with each parent, these designations wouldn’t matter. However, that's not always the case. Even with shared custody, the parent labeled as the PPR might receive more child support. This is because the child support guidelines consider the parent with the majority of overnight stays as having more "controlled expenses" (costs directly tied to the child, like housing, food, and clothing).
How Can It Affect Child Support?
Let’s say a couple agrees to share custody equally but can’t agree on child support payments. The court has to calculate support based on the guidelines, which can vary depending on which parent is designated as the PPR. In some cases, even a small difference in overnight stays could lead to significant changes in the amount of support owed.
For instance, if a judge runs two calculations—one where the mother is the PPR and another where the father is the PPR—the results could show two different payment amounts. Choosing one over the other could unfairly increase or decrease a parent's financial obligation. This was evident in a recent case where a court mistakenly assigned the PPR label, leading to an unfair child support ruling.
What If the Income Is Above Child Support Guidelines?
When both parents earn a combined income that goes beyond the child support guidelines, additional analysis is needed to determine a fair arrangement. In these cases, courts should consider how the parents share expenses related to the child. If the judge skips this analysis, it can result in an inaccurate support amount, as shown by recent rulings that were overturned on appeal.
The Bottom Line: Why the PPR Label Matters
Designating a PPR isn't just about who has the kids more often; it can have real financial consequences. In a shared custody situation, failing to correctly apply these terms can lead to unfair child support decisions, impacting both parents' finances.
