How to Get More Parenting Time as a Father: Your Guide

Winning equal time with your kids can feel like an uphill battle for dads. California law says you’ve got the same rights as Mom, but biases, tough exes, and legal hurdles can shrink your share. At Reel Fathers Rights, we push for 50/50 custody, better schedules, and fair mods.

What’s Parenting Time in California?

Parenting time (aka physical custody) decides where your kid lives and how much time you get. Courts love joint setups when both parents step up. Stuck with skimpy visitation or a raw deal? You can fight to fix it.

Why Dads Hit Walls

Fathers often face:

  • Unfair orders from old-school thinking.
  • Exes who won’t budge.
  • Work or distance screwing up schedules.
  • No lawyer when the first order dropped.

If that’s you, prove more time serves your kid—not just you.

How to Boost Your Parenting Time

Get strategic to win more kid time:

  1. File for a Custody Mod
    Got a court order? File a Request for Order (Form FL-300) to tweak it. Courts bite if:
  • Your ex breaks the rules.
  • Your kid’s needs shift—school, health, emotions.
  • You’re more involved now.
  • The current plan’s failing your child.
    Explain why more time helps your kid.
  1. Show It’s Best for Your Kid
    Courts care about the child’s best interests. Bring:
  • School reports tying your role to their success.
  • Medical proof you’re on it.
  • Teachers, coaches, or kin vouching for you.
  • Logs of visits, games, daily dad stuff.
  1. Dodge Case-Killers
    Don’t tank your shot with:
  • Skipping visits or showing up late.
  • Fighting with your ex.
  • Slacking on child support.
  • Ranting online about the mess.
  1. Aim for 50/50
    Start small, build to equal time. Top schedules:
  • Week-on, week-off: Swap every seven days.
  • 2-2-3: Two days you, two days her, alternate weekends.
  • 3-4-4-3: Rotate weekdays for balance.
    Lawyer up to make it stick.

Can a Mother Block More Time?

Nope. If a court order’s in play, she can’t stop you. If she tries:

  • Log It: Track missed visits, dodged texts.
  • Enforce It: File a motion to force her hand.
  • Mod It: Push for more time if she keeps it up.

Why You Need a Lawyer

More time means legal moves. A fathers’ rights pro:

  • Files your mod request.
  • Gathers killer evidence.
  • Proves your kid wins with you.
  • Shields you from lies or alienation.

Reel Fathers Rights fights for your full dad role.

Contact Reel Fathers Rights Today

Want more time with your kid? Act fast. We’re in Corona, Irvine, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Riverside, covering Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties.

Click the link HERE to schedule your Consultation or call us 24/7 at 951-800-3390