Courts make decisions all the time that affect children. These decisions are often related to things like child custody, child support, any future modifications to custody and support, and termination of parental rights. These decisions are made in light of the best interests of the child. Typically in a divorce, a standard possession order for visitation is issued and must be followed exactly as its written.
At Jessica McDonald & Associates, our family law lawyer in TX provides guidance to our clients and helps them understand what the standard possession order means, and helps clients navigate the process.
Contact us online or at 9034589108 to schedule a Consultation.
A standard possession order is generally the order the court issues for parents to follow with specific instructions.
Standard Possession Order
Taken from the Attorney General of Texas' website
50 miles apart or less
Weekends: 1st, 3rd, 5th Fridays of each month. The default time for pickup is when school dismissed for the weekend and drop-off when school resumes after the weekend. Or, the parents may elect to change pickup times to Friday at 6:00 p.m. and drop-off Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
Drop-off schedule on a weekend that is extended by a holiday or teacher in-service that falls on a Monday: Drop-off at 8 a.m. Tuesday or the parents may elect for drop-off at 6 p.m. Monday
Pickup schedule on a weekend that is extended by a school holiday or teacher in-service day that falls on a Friday: Pickup at time school is dismissed on a Thursday or the parents may elect to pickup at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Thursdays: each week during the school. Pickup at time school is dismissed on Thursday and dropoff at the time school starts on Friday or parents may elect to pickup at 6 p.m. on Thursday and drop-off at 8 p.m. on Thursday.
Spring Vacation: The noncustodial parent has this parenting time in even numbered years and the default pickup is at the time school is dismissed for spring vacation and drop-off at 6 p.m. the day before school resumes. The parents may elect to different times.
Christmas Break: (even numbered years) The noncustodial parent has this period of visit in even numbered years. Pickup is at the time school is dismissed for the holiday and drop-off is at noon on December 28. Parents may elect for pickup at 6 p.m. the day school is dismissed for the holiday and drop-off at noon on December 28.
Christmas Break: (odd numbered years) The noncustodial parent has this period of visit in odd numbered years. Pickup is at noon on December 28 and drop-off on the day before school resumes from the vacation. Parents may elect to change times to pickup at noon on December 28 and drop-off on the day before school resmues from the vacation.
Thanksgiving: The noncustodial parent has the following schedule in odd numbered years. Default: Pickup at the time school is dismissed for the holiday and drop-off at 6 p.m. on the following Sunday.
Father's Day: If the father is not otherwise entitled to possession of the child on Father's Day, he should have the folowing parenting time: Default: Pickup at 6 p.m. on the Friday before Father's Day and drop-off at 8 a.m. on the Monday after Father's Day, parents may elect to pickup at 6 p.m. on Friday before Father's Day and drop-off at 6 p.m. on Father's Day.
Mother's Day: If the mother is not otherwise entitled to possession of the child on Mother's Day, she should have the following parenting time: Pickup when school dismisses on the Friday before Mother's day and drop-off when school resumes after Mother's Day. Parents may elect to pickup at 6 p.m on Mother's Day.
Summer Vacation: The noncustodial parent can have 30 days of extended parenting time during the summer vacation as follows: Pickup at 6 p.m. on July 1 and drop off at 6 p.m. on July 31. Parents may elect to: the noncustodial parent can pick when this 30 day extended summer parenting time will occur but must send notice to the custodial parent by April 1. There are other restrictions involved in the election, visit the Attorney General of Texas' website for a complete written explanation.
Child's Birthday: The parent not in possession of the child on the child's birthday can pick up the child for two hours as follows: Pickup at 6 p.m. on the child's birthday and drop-off at 8 p.m. on the child's birthday.
Contact a Family Law Lawyer in TX Today
The standard possession order is a basic guideline of how you and your co-parent will divide time between the two. It is the court's goal to keep the time equitable and fair.
If you have questions, or need advice, contact Jessica McDonald & Associates online or call us at 9034589108 today. We will schedule a Consultation with our family law attorney and help you understand and make informed decisions about your visitation schedule.