A 60/40 joint physical custody agreement means that your child will spend 60 percent of his time with one parent and 40 percent of his time with the other. This is a great schedule because it gives both parents a significant amount of time with the child, but one parent has a little more time.
Parents and / or the courts may choose to have this as part of their parenting plan due to work schedules, the child’s personality, or because they do not want to divide the child equally.
There are a few things to know if you or the other parent are seeking 60/40 physical custody.
First, with a 60/40 plan there can be more problems paying for child custody. Some states require you to pay child support based on how long you have or do not have with the child. In this situation, you will have to pay more than if you had 50/50 physical custody. The only way to find out what your state requires is to consult with an attorney or research the laws in your state.
Second, look at the motivation for a 60/40 plan. Many parents try to push for 60 percent because they believe it will give them a step ahead of the other parent. This is not always the case, but you want to make sure that the custody schedule chosen is based on what is best for the child. You can also consult your attorney if you are concerned.
Finally, be grateful for the time they have given you. Some parents are upset if 60/40 is awarded and feel that it should have been 50/50. Look on the bright side of being able to have your child as much as you do. There are many people who would love to have a 60/40 custody.
4-3 Schedule
The 4-3 schedule is probably one of the most popular options in joint 60/40 physical custody. This schedule works by having your child spend 4 nights a week with one parent and three nights a week with the other.
This schedule is very simple and can be adapted to your needs. For example, each parent can have the same nights each week, or they can change the nights to fit work, school, or weekend hours. This schedule is also known as an all-weekend schedule if a parent has the child on three weekend nights.
The benefit of this plan is that your child frequently spends time with both parents. They know that they both love them and are committed to being their parents.
There are some requirements to effectively implement this plan. You and the other parent will need to live in close proximity to each other and the child’s school. They will also need to be able to communicate well to update each other about school and other activities.
If you follow this plan, make sure your child is old enough to come and go from house to house each week. Some kids really struggle with frequent changes. You may want to consider other scheduling options if this is the case.
conclusion
60/40 physical custody with a 4-3 schedule is a great option for you, the other parent, and your child. The most important thing to think about when choosing a custody schedule is determining what is best for your child. No one knows a child and its needs better than parents. Good luck!
