What is a 2-2-5-5 Custody Schedule?

Co-parenting can be challenging — and having a schedule in place that works for the whole family can make all the difference when raising your children in two households. A 2-2-5-5 custody schedule can allow each parent to spend quality time with their children and develop a meaningful relationship with them. With this arrangement, parents each get a set two-day time block on consecutive weekdays, followed by a five-day time block, resulting in a nearly equal split of parenting time.

How Does a 2-2-5-5 Custody Schedule Work?

A 2-2-5-5 custody schedule allows co-parents to each spend two days during the school week with their children, followed by five days that includes a full weekend each. For instance, the mother would have two days (for example, Monday and Tuesday), then the father would have the next two days (Wednesday and Thursday). After the father’s parenting time, the children would return to the mother for five days (the weekend, plus her next Monday and Tuesday) and then the next five days would be spent with the father (his Wednesday and Thursday and the following weekend). The schedule repeats on a two-week cycle.

Who is a 2-2-5-5 Custody Schedule Best For?

While it can offer many benefits, a 2-2-5-5 custody schedule isn’t ideal for every situation. There are several pros and cons that should be considered to determine whether this arrangement is right for your family — and meets the best interests of your children. Importantly, since this schedule involves multiple exchanges, co-parents should be able to maintain strong (and respectful) communication. It is also common for exchanges to occur at school, when one parent drops off the child or children when school starts, and the other parent picks the child or children up after school ends.

2-2-5-5 custody schedules work well in the following situations:

• Parents who live in close proximity to each other — Since there are frequent transitions, a 2-2-5-5 custody schedule tends to work best for co-parents who live close to each other and want to be heavily involved in their children’s lives.
• Parents who have flexible work schedules — It’s essential for parents to have work schedules that are flexible and can accommodate the involvement required by this custody arrangement.
• Children are younger and benefit from frequent contact with both parents — A 2-2-5-5 schedule can benefit younger children and toddlers who need shorter separation periods than those that come with an alternating week schedule.

The 2-2-5-5 schedule provides a solid and consistent routine for children. It also allows for a division of parenting time where each parent gets to spend time with the children during the week. However, it’s important to be aware that it may not be the best arrangement if parents are contentious or live a long distance from each other. This arrangement may also not work for teenagers who need more flexible schedules to accommodate their extracurricular activities, or for children who have special medical needs.

What Are Some Other Custody Schedules?

If the 2-2-5-5 custody schedule doesn’t work for your family, there are many other custody schedules that may be considered. Other alternating schedules that result in nearly equal parenting time can include a 2-2-3 or 3-4-4-3 arrangement. But if longer stretches of time with each parent are in the best interests of the child, co-parents may alternate weeks. Or, one parent might have the children during the week and the other on the weekends.

When deciding what custody arrangement works best, it’s crucial to ensure your child’s needs, developmental stage, and stability are the top priority. Co-parents should also consider their ability to cooperate and communicate effectively — as well as proximity. When co-parents live far apart, it’s vital to create a custody schedule that involves the children spending longer stretches of time with each parent to minimize frequent transitions.

Significantly, child custody schedules do not need to be decided by a judge. Co-parents can create their own arrangement outside the courtroom through negotiations, mediation, or the collaborative process. In fact, since parents know their children best, judges prefer that co-parents work together to develop a custody schedule that will meet their needs. Once parents reach an agreement, it can be submitted to the court to be signed by the judge and become a legally binding order.

Contact an Experienced Maryland Family Law Attorney

If you are facing a parenting time or custody issue, it’s critical to have a knowledgeable family law attorney by your side who can protect your rights and ensure the best interests of your children are met. At Strickler, Platnik & Hatfield, we are dedicated to assisting our clients with creating tailored custody schedules and achieving positive results in their cases. To learn more about how we can help, contact Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield to schedule a consultation.