4 Common Examples of 50/50 Child Custody Schedules

Do you want a custody schedule that gives each parent equal time with the children? Here are some 50/50 child custody schedule examples to consider.

Alternating weeks

With the alternating weeks schedule, parents simply alternate weeks of custody with the child. Parents can choose what day to exchange — this picture shows an exchange on Friday afternoon.

This type of schedule works best if parents live close to each other and close to the child's school or other activities. The advantage is that the child has a very stable schedule with few exchanges during the week. However, the child has to adjust weekly to a new living situation, and not all children are able to do this.

Parents can add mid-week, evening or overnight visits with the other parent if a week feels like too long of a stretch to not see the child. Parents can also choose to alternate custody every two weeks if that works better for them.

Splitting the week in half

In this schedule, the parents split the week in half and each parent has the child for half of the week. The parents can adjust the days and times to get the schedule they want.

With this schedule, both parents need to live close to the child's school or other activities (if the child is old enough to go to school). Parents can add an evening or afternoon visit for the other parent during any of the days.

2-2-5-5 custody schedule

The 2-2-5-5 custody schedule gives one parent 2 days with the children and then the other parent 2 days with the children. Then, each parent has 5 days with the children. This is a lot of switching back and forth for the child — so it is helpful if the parents live close to each other and the child adapts well to each home.

Parents can adjust the days and times of exchanges so that they alternate weekends. They can also add afternoon or evening visits as they feel they are necessary.

3-4-4-3 custody schedule

With the 3-4-4-3 custody schedule, one parent has the child for 3 days of the week, then the other parent has the child for 4 days. The next week it switches; the first parent has the child for 4 days, and the other parent has the child for 3.

Some parents find great success with switching so often, and other parents find that it is too complicated for their children. You should base your custody schedule on what works best for your child.

Again, parents can switch the exchange days so that they have different days with the children — this schedule can be arranged so the parents alternate weekends.

The easiest way to make a 50/50 schedule

Creating a schedule on your own can feel overwhelming. You have to be sure to use airtight legal language and can't omit any required information.

The Custody X Change app takes the guesswork out of the equation by helping you build a schedule piece by piece.

As a result, you get a written schedule and a visual calendar. They meet your family's needs, as well as the court's standards.

For quick, reliable and affordable help making a custody schedule, turn to Custody X Change.