3-4-4-3 Custody Schedule with Examples
Michael J. Peterson, Attorney
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3-4-4-3 Custody Schedule is a shared 50/50 custody schedule that allows co-parents to spend an equal number of days with their children. The name 3-4-4-3 states the division of days itself.
With this two weeks schedule, children stay with the first parent for three days, then live with the second parent for the next four days, then live with the first parent for four days, and then live with the second parent for three days. Then the whole 2-week cycle is repeated.
Example of a 3-4-4-3 Custody Schedule
The image above represents a month of the custody schedule for co-parents Joe and Emma. In this example, during with the week starting on Monday children stay with Joe on the following days:
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - First Week
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - Second Week
Children stay with Emma on the following days:
- Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday - First Week
- Friday, Saturday, Sunday - Second Week
Starting from the 3rd week, the whole cycle repeats again.
This example of 3-4-4-3 Custody Schedule was built using the Google Calendar but you can use Outlook or any other calendaring application or a paper calendar to do the same. You can also use a spreadsheet such as Excel or Google Sheets.
Can you change the start day?
Yes, if both parents mutually agree or if a court orders, then they can change the start day of their 3-4-4-3 custody schedule. For example, if the co-parents want the week to start on Sunday, not Monday they can move up all the assigned days by one day.
Can you change the pickup and drop-off time?
With mutual consent, co-parents can alter the pickup and drop time. Ideally, it is the in the afternoon at 3pm or 4pm to accomodate children's school schedule.
How to account for the third-party time?
If children are not going to be with either parent because of their routine schedules, such as daycare or school, then there is no real need to mark those times on your calendar.
What are the pros and cons of the 3-4-4-3 schedule?
Pros:
- Children can spend time with both parents each week without being away for long.
- The schedule is easy to understand.
- It can work well with professions with unusual schedules, such as gig workers and healthcare.
- Both parents get to spend an equal amount of time with their children.
- Both parents are the active caretakers of their children.
- It works perfectly with children of all ages.
Cons:
- The upfront planning can be confusing for co-parents.
- The frequent exchange of children requires an additional time commitment from both parents.
- It can easily become a source of conflict. A good communication plan should be in place.
- The children may feel overwhelmed with frequent switching of homes.
- The children may have trouble planning their playdates and other activities because of the frequent changes.
- Parents must live nearby for easy exchange of children.
In conclusion, a 3-4-4-3 custody schedule is a good variation of a 50/50 joint custody schedule. If documented properly in a parenting plan it can be a good schedule for parents with younger children. It is also a good alternative to the 2-2-5-5 schedule, the Alternating Weeks schedule, the Extended Weekends, and the 2-2 Custody schedule. You can also consider 2 Weeks Each Custody Schedule.
Fact Check and Resources
In crafting this post, we conducted thorough fact-checking and research, consulting the following sources:
- AAML New Jersey Chapter
- Planning for Parenting Time - Supreme Court of Ohio
- Oregon Judicial Department
- Office of the Attorney General Texas
- Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court
Other Custody Schedules
Typical 50/50 Custody Schedules
Popular Summer Custody Schedules
- Full time entire summer, alternate weekends and one overnight per week during fall, spring and winter - 39%
- Entire summer, alternate weekends, and one evening per week - 30%
- Every other weekend, one overnight per week, one month during the summer, and half the holidays - 29%
- Every other weekend, one evening/week, four summer weeks and half the holidays - 28%
- Every other weekend, one month during summer and half of the holidays - 23%
- First, third and fith extended weekend - 24
- Every other weekend and half the holidays and summer - 22%
- Every other weekend, four weeks of summer and half the holidays - 21%
- Every other weekend, two weeks during the summer and half the holidays - 19%
- Every other weekend and two weeks during the summer - 18%
- 2 Weeks only during the summer break - 4%
Popular Weekend Parenting Arrangements
Warning:
This post is neither financial, health, legal, or personal advice nor a substitute for the advice offered by a professional. These are serious matters, and the help of a professional is recommended as it can impact your future.