Custody schedule guides
Every Custody Schedule, Explained
Calendar visuals, pros and cons, age recommendations, and comparison tables. Find the schedule that fits your family.
Detailed guides by schedule type
50/50 Custody Schedules
Equal time, four different patterns
Ages 2–14 depending on type
Equal parenting time is the starting point for most custody negotiations. Four main schedule types achieve the same 50/50 split with different transition frequencies, weekday patterns, and block lengths. Choose based on your child's age and your conflict level.
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2-2-3 Schedule
Most popular for young children
Ages 2–8
Parent A has Monday and Tuesday, Parent B has Wednesday and Thursday, and the long weekend alternates each week. Six transitions per fortnight — more than any other 50/50 arrangement — but no stretch longer than three nights.
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5-2-2-5 Schedule
Fixed weekdays, alternating weekends
Ages 6–14
Mondays and Tuesdays are always with Parent A. Wednesdays and Thursdays are always with Parent B. The long weekend rotates. A child always knows which home they are going to after school, which makes school-year routines more stable.
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Quick comparison
| Schedule | Split | Transitions/fortnight | Longest stretch | Best age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-2-3 | 50/50 | 6 | 3 nights | 2–8 |
| 5-2-2-5 | 50/50 | 4 | 5 nights | 6–14 |
| 3-4-4-3 | 50/50 | 4 | 4 nights | 4–12 |
| Week-on/week-off | 50/50 | 2 | 7 nights | 11+ |
| Every other weekend | ~80/20 | 2 | 9 nights | All ages |
How to choose a custody schedule
Your child's age
Young children (under 6) do best with frequent contact with both parents and short stretches away from either. School-age children need weekday consistency. Teens need longer blocks and fewer transitions.
Distance between homes
Schedules with frequent transitions require parents to live close enough that transitions do not mean long car rides or school changes. If homes are far apart, longer blocks with fewer transitions are more practical.
Your conflict level
High-conflict situations favor fewer transitions (5-2-2-5 over 2-2-3, week-on/week-off for teens) because every handoff is an opportunity for escalation. Parallel parenting structures work best here.
Work schedules
Fixed weekday assignments (like 5-2-2-5) work well when one parent always has the same off days. More flexible arrangements may suit shift workers or parents with irregular schedules.
The child's preferences
Courts give increasing weight to a child's stated preferences as they get older. Teens especially may have strong views about transitions during school activities or social events.
Two Paths app
Track any custody schedule in Two Paths
Shared custody calendar, co-parent messaging, expense splitting, GPS check-ins, and court documentation. Premium starts at $14.99/month.