When parents share 50/50 custody, the child spends equal time with both parents. This type of custody arrangement promotes strong relationships with both parents, but it requires careful planning to create a schedule that works for everyone involved—especially the child.
The best 50/50 custody schedule depends on various factors, such as:
✅ The child’s age and needs (younger kids may need frequent exchanges)
✅ School and extracurricular activities (avoiding disruptions to education)
✅ Parent work schedules (accommodating different shift times)
✅ Distance between homes (minimizing long travel times)
✅ Communication between parents (coordinating schedules smoothly)
In this guide, we’ll explore 50+ examples of different types of 50/50 custody schedules, categorized by frequency and structure.
📌 1. Week-On, Week-Off Custody Schedules
These schedules involve alternating full weeks between parents. They work best for older children who can handle longer stretches away from each parent.
| Schedule Name | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Week-On, Week-Off | The child spends 7 days with one parent, then 7 days with the other. | Mon-Sun: Parent A → Next Mon-Sun: Parent B |
| Week-On, Week-Off with Midweek Visit | The non-custodial parent gets a midweek dinner visit. | Mon-Sun: Parent A, Wed: Parent B (Dinner), Next Mon-Sun: Parent B |
| Week-On, Week-Off with Overnight Midweek | A midweek overnight visit allows more frequent contact. | Mon-Sun: Parent A, Wed Overnight: Parent B, Next Mon-Sun: Parent B |
| Week-On, Week-Off (Exchange on Fridays) | Exchanges happen every Friday instead of Monday. | Fri-Thu: Parent A → Next Fri-Thu: Parent B |
| Biweekly Swap (Two Weeks On, Two Weeks Off) | The child spends two weeks with each parent before switching. | Week 1-2: Parent A → Week 3-4: Parent B |
✅ Pros: Fewer transitions, easier for teens.
❌ Cons: Long separation from each parent.
📌 2. 2-2-3 Custody Schedules
This rotating schedule ensures that the child never spends more than 3 days away from either parent. It works well for young children who need frequent contact with both parents.
| Schedule Name | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 2-2-3 | Child spends 2 days with one parent, 2 days with the other, then 3 days with the first parent. The next week it flips. | Mon-Tue: Parent A, Wed-Thu: Parent B, Fri-Sun: Parent A → Next week flips |
| 2-2-3 with Fixed Weekends | One parent always gets weekends for consistency. | Mon-Tue: Parent A, Wed-Thu: Parent B, Fri-Sun: Parent A (next week, Parent B always gets Fri-Sun) |
| 2-2-3 with Midweek Dinner | The non-custodial parent gets a midweek dinner visit. | Mon-Tue: Parent A, Wed-Thu: Parent B, Fri-Sun: Parent A + Midweek visit |
✅ Pros: Frequent contact with both parents.
❌ Cons: Frequent exchanges, harder for school-aged kids.
📌 3. 3-4-4-3 Custody Schedules
This schedule provides more stability while still allowing frequent transitions.
| Schedule Name | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 3-4-4-3 | One parent has the child for 3 days, then the other gets 4 days. The schedule flips the next week. | Mon-Wed: Parent A, Thu-Sun: Parent B → Next week flips |
| 3-4-4-3 with Fixed Weekends | One parent always has weekends for consistency. | Mon-Wed: Parent A, Thu-Sun: Parent B (next week, Parent A always gets Fri-Sun) |
| 3-4-4-3 with Midweek Dinner | The parent with only 3 days gets a dinner visit on their off days. | Mon-Wed: Parent A, Thu-Sun: Parent B + Midweek dinner visit |
✅ Pros: More stability than 2-2-3.
❌ Cons: Can be hard to track for younger children.
📌 4. 5-2-2-5 Custody Schedules
This schedule allows for consistent weekday routines, making it ideal for school-aged children.
| Schedule Name | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 5-2-2-5 | One parent always has Mon-Tue, the other always has Wed-Thu, and weekends alternate. | Mon-Tue: Parent A, Wed-Thu: Parent B, Fri-Sun: Alternates |
| 5-2-2-5 with Midweek Visit | One parent gets a midweek dinner visit. | Mon-Tue: Parent A, Wed-Thu: Parent B + Midweek dinner visit |
✅ Pros: Consistent school-week routine.
❌ Cons: Every other weekend shift can be tricky.
📌 5. Alternating Every 2 Days
Parents switch every 2 days, ensuring frequent contact.
| Schedule Name | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Every 2 Days Standard | The child switches every 2 days, year-round. | Mon-Tue: Parent A, Wed-Thu: Parent B → Repeats |
| Every 2 Days with Weekend Shift | One parent gets every other weekend. | Mon-Tue: Parent A, Wed-Thu: Parent B, Fri-Sun: Alternates |
✅ Pros: Frequent contact with both parents.
❌ Cons: Too many transitions for some kids.
📌 6. Customized 50/50 Custody Schedules
These schedules work for unique family situations.
| Schedule Name | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| One Month Each | Parents swap every month. | January: Parent A, February: Parent B, March: Parent A… |
| School Year Split | One parent has school year, the other gets summers. | Sept-May: Parent A, June-Aug: Parent B |
| Long Weekend Swap | Parents alternate long weekends. | Fri-Mon: Parent A, Tue-Thu: Parent B → Next week flips |
✅ Pros: Flexible for special needs.
❌ Cons: Requires strong co-parenting communication.
🏆 Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best 50/50 Custody Schedule
There is no perfect schedule that fits every family. The best one depends on:
✔️ Child’s age – Young kids may need more frequent exchanges.
✔️ School and activities – Some schedules work better for school-aged kids.
✔️ Parental work schedules – Choose a schedule that fits work shifts.
✔️ Communication level – Frequent exchanges require cooperation.