Duohem4-3 Custody Schedule (57/43): How It Works
The 4-3 custody schedule, often called a 60/40 schedule, repeats every 7 days. Home 1 has 4 nights and home 2 has 3 nights per cycle, creating a 57/43 split with 2 handovers each week.
The first four weeks
Home 1Home 2
How it works
Starting on a Monday, the child spends Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights in home 1. The first handover takes place after the fourth night, so the child moves to home 2 on Friday.
The child spends Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights in home 2. The second handover takes place on the following Monday, beginning the next 7-day cycle in home 1.
Your calendar
Change the start date to match your family. Days in each home are coloured.
Home 1Home 2
What parents like
- The child has a regular weekly rhythm that is easy to remember.
- Each home has a clear, uninterrupted block of time together.
- There are only 2 handovers in each 7-day cycle.
- Home 1 has slightly more overnight time, which may suit the family's routines.
What to think about
- The parent with 3 nights may have less weekday time in some arrangements.
- A 3-night block can feel short if travel or activities take up part of it.
- The handover days may need careful planning around school, work, and activities.
Works best for
This schedule may suit families who want a simple weekly pattern with fewer handovers and a modest difference in overnight time. It can work well when both homes are close enough to support school, activities, and reliable transitions.
Tips
- Agree in advance where each handover will happen and who handles transport.
- Use the same weekly pattern in calendars, school plans, and childcare arrangements.
- Keep school items, medication, and comfort items available in both homes where possible.
- Review how the schedule is working as the child's age, activities, or needs change.
Questions and answers
What is a 4-3 custody schedule?
It is a repeating 7-day schedule in which the child spends 4 nights in home 1 and 3 nights in home 2. The pattern includes 2 handovers per cycle.
What does a 4-3 schedule look like starting on Monday?
The child spends Monday through Thursday nights in home 1, then Friday through Sunday nights in home 2. The next Monday begins a new cycle in home 1.
Is a 4-3 schedule really 60/40?
It is commonly described as a 60/40 schedule, but 4 nights out of 7 is more precisely a 57/43 split.
How many handovers are there in a 4-3 schedule?
There are 2 handovers in each 7-day cycle: one when the child moves from home 1 to home 2, and one when the child returns to home 1.
General information, not legal advice. What is best depends on your children and your situation.