Creating a residential schedule is one of the most important parts of any Washington parenting plan. Parents want to know where their child will live during the school year, how holidays will work, and how to balance summer freedom with predictable structure. These schedules shape the rhythm of a child’s life, and they set expectations for both households.
A good residential schedule gives children stability and gives parents clarity. It helps everyone understand school routines, transportation responsibilities, transitions, and how to manage weekends, holidays, and vacations. When a schedule is built around the child’s developmental needs and the practical realities of each home, families settle into patterns that reduce conflict instead of creating it.
Washington law focuses on what helps children thrive during the school year while still supporting meaningful time with both parents. Some families choose a schedule with one primary home base. Others use shared schedules like 2-2-5-5 or alternating weeks when they live close and communicate well. Summer and holiday schedules layer on top of the school-year plan so parents can plan vacations, traditions, and extended time with confidence.
This page explains the most common Washington schedules, how courts choose between them, and what parents should consider when building a plan that truly supports their child.
Myths & Misconceptions About Residential Schedules in Washington
Myth: “Washington is a 50/50 custody state.”
Not true. Washington does not presume equal time. Courts focus on past caregiving, proximity to school, communication patterns, and what schedule best supports the child’s stability.
Myth: “A primary residential schedule means one parent has full custody.”
Incorrect. “Primary residence” only identifies the home where the child spends more than half of overnights. It does not limit either parent’s rights or access to information.
Myth: “If both parents are good, the court must order 50/50.”
Courts approve 50/50 only when the parents live close enough, communicate effectively, and the schedule supports the child’s school and developmental needs.
Myth: “Week-on/week-off is always best for school-aged kids.”
Alternating weeks can work well, but not for every family. Some children struggle with long separations, and some parents cannot manage the logistical demands. Washington courts choose schedules based on each child’s needs, not a one-size-fits-all template.
Myth: “Parents can refuse exchanges if the child doesn’t want to go.”
A child’s reluctance does not excuse either parent from following the parenting plan. Judges expect parents to support court-ordered residential exchanges unless there is a genuine safety concern.
Myth: “Summer schedules always have to match the school-year schedule.”
No. Summer schedules can be very different. Courts often approve longer blocks or alternating weeks to give both parents meaningful time.
Myth: “Holiday schedules do not override the regular residential schedule.”
Holiday time always supersedes the normal school-year or summer schedule unless the plan states otherwise.
Myth: “Long-distance moves automatically change the parenting plan.”
They do not. Relocation triggers notice requirements, possible objections, and a legal review — but no changes happen automatically.
Myth: “Summer automatically becomes 50/50.”
No. Summer schedules depend on what the parenting plan says. Some families share summer equally, others use long blocks, and others keep a similar pattern to the school year. Nothing changes automatically.
Myth: “My ex can forbid travel during my residential time.”
Not unless the parenting plan says so. A parent may travel with the child during their own residential time as long as travel does not interfere with the other parent’s time or violate a specific restriction.
Myth: “If the child prefers one home, the schedule must change.”
Children are not treated as decision makers in Washington State because doing so would subject them to undue pressure and unfair influence. A child’s preference is rarely considered when establishing a final parenting plan and, once a parenting plan is established, a child’s preference is irrelevant. A parenting plan can only change if there is a substantial change of circumstances.
Myth: “Child support ends automatically in a 50/50 schedule.”
Incorrect. Support is based on income, not just overnights. Many 50/50 plans still involve child support.
School-Year Residential Schedules
What are the most common school-year residential schedules in Washington?
The most common schedule has been for a child to live with one parent during the week and the other parent on alternating weekends and one night a week. But we’ve seen a shift to more shared time for parents who can coparent and 50/50 parenting plans are more common (though still not the normal plan).
How does the school-year residential schedule work in a Washington parenting plan?
The school-year schedule sets where the child lives during the school week and weekends. It is one part of the parenting plan’s larger “residential schedule” section, which also includes summer and holiday time so parents know when the child will be with each parent throughout the year.
What is the best parenting schedule for a toddler?
Toddlers usually do best with shorter, frequent contact with each parent to support attachment and emotional security. Families often use shorter rotations or a primary-home schedule with frequent visits, depending on cooperation and distance.
What is the best parenting schedule for older children or teenagers?
Older children often handle longer blocks of time well. Alternating weeks or 2-2-5-5 schedules may fit their school, social, and activity routines better, especially when transitions become more disruptive.
How do Washington courts decide exchange times and locations during the school year?
Courts select exchange terms that reduce conflict and avoid disrupting school or bedtime. Distance, traffic, work schedules, and the child’s needs all influence exchange times (RCW 26.09.187(3)(e)).
Can parents reduce transitions during the school week to help the child?
Yes. Parents can agree to fewer transitions or longer blocks of time if it helps the child stay organized and reduces stress. Courts often approve these agreements when they support stability.
How does the school-year schedule change if parents live far apart?
When parents live far apart, the school-year schedule usually centers around one home so school routines stay predictable. The other parent often receives longer breaks, long weekends, or virtual contact.
➡ [link: Long Distance Parenting Plans]
50/50 Child Custody
Is Washington a 50/50 custody state?
Washington law does not require equal time. Courts order schedules based on the child’s best interests, which may support equal time or may support a primary home base depending on age, distance, stability, and each parent’s ability to meet daily needs (RCW 26.09.187). Even so, 50/50 plans have become more common when parents can cooperate and live close enough for the child to thrive.
What are the most common 50/50 schedules in Washington?
Common shared-time schedules include 2-2-5-5, 3-3-4-4, alternating weeks, and short rotations for very young children. These work best when parents live close together and communicate reliably about school, homework, and activities.
How do courts choose between a school-year schedule with a primary home and a 50/50 plan?
Courts look at each parent’s past involvement, proximity to the school, communication patterns, and the child’s developmental needs. The goal is to reduce conflict and keep the child’s school routine stable (RCW 26.09.187(3)).
How do different school districts affect the residential schedule?
When parents live in different school districts, the child must be enrolled in one district, and that often makes 50/50 schedules harder to maintain. But this will depend on the travel needs in order to get the child to school. Courts usually rely on the primary residential parent’s address for school enrollment unless parents agree otherwise.
Can a 50/50 schedule work if parents live in different school districts?
It can, but it is challenging. Parents must still choose one school district, and long commutes can cause stress and affect attendance. Courts rarely approve equal-time schedules when the distance makes transportation unreasonable for a school-age child.
Does a 50/50 child custody order mean there is no child support?
Not necessarily. The amount of time a child spends with each parent can influence child support, but support is calculated primarily from the parents’ incomes and financial circumstances. Child support can still be ordered even when parents have a 50/50 residential schedule.
➡ [link: Child Support in Washington State]
Summer Residential Schedules
How do summer residential schedules typically differ from school-year schedules?
Summer schedules often give parents longer blocks of uninterrupted time because school routines do not limit transitions. Many families switch to alternating weeks or extended time with the parent that didn’t have as much time during the school year.
Can a parent receive extended summer time if they live far away?
Yes. Courts often provide longer summer blocks for the parent who lives farther away so the child can maintain meaningful contact without interrupting school.
Should summer be divided equally between parents?
It depends on the family’s needs. Equal division works well in many cases, especially when parents have similar schedules, but some families use longer blocks or alternating summers as a trade off for the school year schedule.
How do Washington courts handle long blocks of summer vacation for long-distance parents?
Courts often give long-distance parents two to six consecutive weeks, depending on age, travel demands, and the child’s comfort. Longer blocks reduce travel stress.
What notice is required for summer vacations or out-of-state travel?
To coparent well, it is always best to let the other parent know about travel plans and vacations. But there is no notice requirement unless the parenting plan requires one. Each parent controls vacation plans during their residential time, but you must still respect the other parent’s time and ensure your trip does not violate the schedule.
Does the summer schedule override the school-year schedule?
The summer schedule begins when the school year ends, and the school-year schedule resumes when school begins again. These are distinct schedules. While they replace each other during their designated time periods, any additional school days added to the school calendar must be honored as part of the school-year schedule.
How does the summer schedule affect child support?
Child support remains the same whether the school-year or summer schedule is in effect. Support is ordered for the entire year. However, the total number of overnights each parent has during the full year may influence the monthly calculation.
➡ [link: Child Support in Washington State]
Holiday and Special Occasion Schedules
How do Washington parenting plans divide holidays and breaks?
Holidays and school breaks are usually divided through alternating years, equal sharing, or a fixed split depending on family traditions. Holiday time overrides the regular schedule.
What is an odd/even holiday rotation?
Parents alternate major holidays by year. For example, Mom may have Thanksgiving in even years and Dad in odd years.
Do holidays override the regular residential schedule?
Yes. Holiday and special-event time takes priority. Once the holiday ends, the regular schedule resumes.
How are birthdays, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day handled?
Parenting plans usually give each parent their designated holiday regardless of the school-year schedule. Children’s birthdays may rotate, be shared, or be split, but many parents choose not to include the child’s birthday in the plan. Celebrating during your time works well for most families because children enjoy multiple celebrations. You can also include enforceable orders for calls or video chats on birthdays or other special days.
How can parents include religious or cultural holidays in the plan?
Parents may list specific holidays, traditions, and the associated dates. Courts approve these as long as they support the child’s routine and well-being.
What happens if parents disagree about which holidays matter most?
Parents may customize the plan based on family values. If they cannot agree, courts divide holidays in a standard alternating pattern to reduce conflict.
Can long-distance parents still have meaningful holiday time?
Yes. Courts often give long-distance parents extended winter break or alternate major holidays. Travel responsibilities are assigned to reduce stress for the child.
Building Stability Through Thoughtful Scheduling
A clear residential schedule is one of the best ways to reduce conflict and give children a sense of security. Whether parents use a primary home schedule, a 50/50 rotation, or a long-distance structure, the best plans anticipate school routines, transitions, holidays, and summer breaks. When parents understand how these schedules fit together, they can make choices that support consistency and emotional stability for their child.
Washington courts look closely at distance, communication, developmental needs, and each parent’s ability to support school routines. With the right structure, families can avoid unnecessary disputes and focus on giving their children a predictable, healthy rhythm throughout the year.
Reviewed by Attorney Zachary C Ashby, Pacific Northwest Family Law, November 2025.