The 60/40 Custody Split
Primary parent has ~60% of overnights, secondary parent has ~40%. Common middle-ground arrangement.
by The CoreParent Co-Founders · Last updated
Mon
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B
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Parent A
Parent B
Week 1 (top) · Week 2 (bottom)
How it works
A common 60/40 pattern: Parent A has Monday-Wednesday every week (3 nights), Parent B has Thursday-Sunday every other week (4 nights), Parent A has Thursday-Sunday on alternating weeks. Parent A ends up with ~8-9 overnights per 14-day cycle.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Gives secondary parent real weekday presence — school drop-offs, homework, dinners
- Less demanding than 50/50 when one parent's schedule is tighter
- Can qualify for shared-custody tax benefits in many states (check state rules)
Cons
- Still unequal — secondary parent misses some key weekday moments
- Exact day assignments vary by family; less standardized than 50/50 schedules
Best for
Parents with unequal work schedules where one can handle more weekday caregiving but both want real involvement.