3-4-4-3 Custody Schedule
A 50/50 custody arrangement with fixed weekday assignments and alternating weekends, providing consistency while maintaining equal parenting time.
What is the 3-4-4-3 Schedule?
The 3-4-4-3 schedule assigns specific weekdays to each parent while alternating weekends. For example, Parent A might always have Monday-Wednesday, Parent B always has Thursday-Friday, and weekends alternate. This creates predictability for school and activities while maintaining a 50/50 split.
How It Works
Here's what a typical two-week cycle looks like:
Parent A has Mon-Wed consistently. Parent B has Thu-Fri consistently. Weekends alternate.
Overnight Breakdown
| Parent | Overnights/Year | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Parent A | 182-183 | 50% |
| Parent B | 182-183 | 50% |
Key Advantage: Consistent Weekdays
The 3-4-4-3 schedule's biggest advantage is weekday consistency:
- School drop-offs are always the same parent on the same days
- Extracurricular activities can be assigned to specific parents
- Children know which house they'll be at on any given school night
- Teachers and coaches have consistent parent contacts
Pros
- True 50/50 split — both parents have equal time
- Consistent weekday routine reduces confusion
- Only 2 exchanges per week (fewer than 2-2-3)
- Each parent gets regular weekends
- Qualifies as shared custody in all states
- Great for school-age children with set schedules
Cons
- One parent may miss certain recurring activities
- Less flexibility than rotating schedules
- Children may go 4-5 days without seeing one parent
- Requires parents to live near school
Best For
- School-age children with structured schedules
- Parents who want predictable weekday responsibilities
- Families with recurring weekday activities
- Situations where fewer transitions are preferred
Frequently Asked Questions
How many overnights is a 3-4-4-3 custody schedule?
A 3-4-4-3 schedule results in 182-183 overnights per parent per year, which is a true 50/50 split.
How does 3-4-4-3 compare to 2-2-3?
Both achieve 50/50, but 3-4-4-3 has consistent weekday assignments with only 2 transitions per week, while 2-2-3 rotates weekdays with 5 transitions per week. 3-4-4-3 is better for school routines; 2-2-3 is better for younger children.
Can we modify which days each parent has?
Yes! The specific days can be customized to fit work schedules and activities. The key is keeping weekdays consistent and alternating weekends.
What age is 3-4-4-3 appropriate for?
The 3-4-4-3 schedule works best for school-age children (typically 5+) who benefit from weekday consistency. Younger children may do better with more frequent transitions like the 2-2-3 schedule.
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