Common Parenting Schedules

Many courts have standard parenting plans they use when parents litigate custody.

These plans differ depending on the time the child spends with each parent and the distance between them.

50-50 5/2 Plan

When both parents live locally, the most common arrangement allows for one parent to have visitation every Monday/Tuesday or Wednesday/Thursday with the child, and alternating weekends.

50-50 Alternating Weeks

A second option when parents both live in the local area is alternating weeks. The benefit of this option relative to the 5/2 plan is that there is less back-and-forth.

75/25 Plan

This is a more traditional parenting arrangement, where one parent has the child every other weekend; optionally a fixed weeknight (usually Wednesday); split holidays; and a block of summer parenting time. Note that in some states, this is the default parenting schedule.

Long-Distance Plan

When parents live a significant distance apart, it can be very difficult for both parents to spend equal time with the child due to transportation. Most of the time, a schedule is built around the major holidays and school breaks to allow one significant block of parenting time each month, with significant breaks during the child's winter vacation and summer break. Children who are not yet school age allow for some additional flexibility with these arrangements.