Quick answer: Montana decides the parenting plan on the child’s best interest and names no presumption of equal time, though frequent and continuing contact with both parents is considered to be in the child’s best interests. For child support, the guidelines draw a line at 110 days: each parent above it gets a per-day credit.
This Montana parenting time calculator turns a schedule into days a year, checks the 110-day line in the child support guidelines and shows the credit that follows, under MCA 40-4-212 and 40-4-234. Enter the overnights in a 14-day cycle and any extra days: the result is arithmetic, and the court decides the parenting plan and support.
Montana parenting time and custody rules at a glance
| Rule | What Montana says |
|---|---|
| Best interest | The court determines the parenting plan on the child’s best interest, considering all relevant parenting factors (MCA 40-4-212(1)) |
| Contact with both parents | Frequent and continuing contact with both parents is considered in the child’s best interests unless the court finds after a hearing that contact with a parent would be detrimental (40-4-212(1)(l)) |
| Equal time | No presumption of equal time in the sections we read |
| Final parenting plan | Each parent submits a proposed plan; the plan includes a residential schedule with holidays, birthdays and vacations (40-4-234) |
| Child support days | Each parent above 110 days: a credit of 0.69% per day over 110 per child (ARM 37.62) |
| Moving | Written notice to the other parent; a move that significantly affects contact needs a motion served at least 30 days ahead (40-4-217) |
How do custody and parenting time work in Montana?
- Joint or sole custody. See joint versus sole custody in Montana.
- Schedules. See parenting time schedules in Montana.
- Moving with a child. See moving away with a child in Montana.
What does this parenting time calculator check?
You enter the overnights the other parent has in a typical 14-day cycle and any extra days a year, such as summer and holidays. The calculator scales the cycle to 365 days, adds the extras, finds the parent with fewer days and shows whether that parent is above 110 days and the credit at 0.69% for each day over 110. It does not calculate child support, which also needs both parents’ incomes: use the Montana child support calculator for that, and the Montana divorce timeline calculator for the dates of the case.
Frequently asked questions
Does Montana presume joint custody or equal time?
No presumption of equal time appears in the sections we read; the court decides the parenting plan on the child’s best interest.
How many days is the Montana child support line?
More than 110 days a year with each parent; above that line a credit of 0.69% a day over 110 applies.
Does shared time change Montana child support?
Yes. At 110 days or fewer the fewer-days parent pays his or her obligation; above 110 each child’s obligation is reduced by the per-day credit and the parents’ amounts are offset.
Does domestic abuse affect Montana custody?
Yes. Physical abuse or threat of physical abuse is a best-interest factor, and the court considers certain convictions in a parent’s household.
Does this Montana calculator set child support?
No. It counts days and shows the 110-day credit; the Montana child support calculator estimates the guideline amount.