Custody Schedules: 50/50, 60/40, Nesting & More
Common custody-schedule patterns explained — how each one works, who it fits, and the practical trade-offs to consider before choosing.
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The 2-2-3 Custody Schedule
A two-week pattern where each parent gets the children for short, predictable blocks. No more than 3 days apart from either parent.
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The 2-2-5-5 Custody Schedule
Each parent gets the same two weekdays every week, then alternating 5-day blocks that include the weekend.
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Week On / Week Off Custody Schedule
Children spend a full week with each parent, alternating. One exchange per week. The simplest 50/50 arrangement.
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Every Other Weekend Custody Schedule
One parent has primary custody. The other parent takes every other weekend, typically Friday after school through Sunday evening.
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The 3-4-4-3 Custody Schedule
Children are with Parent A for 3 days, Parent B for 4 days; the next week Parent A gets 4, Parent B gets 3. Even over two weeks.
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Alternating Weeks Custody Schedule
Week on / week off, with a mid-week dinner visit with the off-parent so neither parent goes more than a few days without seeing the children.
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Every Weekend Custody Schedule
One parent has the children every weekend, Friday through Sunday. Uncommon but useful when work or travel patterns demand it.
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The 2-5-5-2 Custody Schedule
Each parent keeps a fixed 2-day block every week, and the remaining 5 days alternate. A 50/50 variant with stable weekdays.
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The 4-3-4-3 Custody Schedule
Two-week cycle where Parent A always gets 4 days and Parent B always gets 3 days per half-week. Consistent, slightly unequal.
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Every Other Week Plus Mid-Week Dinner
A 50/50 schedule with weekly exchanges plus a mid-week dinner so neither parent disappears for seven days straight.
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The Long Weekend Custody Schedule
Extended every-other-weekend: secondary parent takes Thursday or Friday through Monday morning. Roughly 70/30 split.
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The 60/40 Custody Split
Primary parent has ~60% of overnights, secondary parent has ~40%. Common middle-ground arrangement.
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The 70/30 Custody Split
Primary parent has ~70% of overnights, secondary parent has ~30%. Typical when one parent's work or distance limits weekday involvement.
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Nesting (Birdnesting) Custody Schedule
Children stay in one 'nest' home. Parents take turns living there during their custody time. Typically a transitional arrangement, not long-term.
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Split Custody Schedule
Siblings are split between households — one child lives primarily with Parent A, another primarily with Parent B. With regular reunions.
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