The Texas Standard Possession Order is the most common possession order issued by the Courts. Almost every divorced or separated parent in Texas is operating under the Texas Standard Possession Order. People like to call it the “every-other-weekend” order but it is not because about three times per year it will call for back to back weekends for the non-primary parent or non-custodial parent. Under current Texas law, it is presumed that this order is in the best interest of the children. It calls for frequent contact between each parent and their child.
Notice that it has some options. For example, the non-primary or non-custodial parent at his or her choice can pick up the children from school at the beginning of their visitation and return the children to school at the end of their visitation. Or, they can pick up at 6:00 p.m. and return to school or the following Sunday at 6:00. Their option. The non-possessory or non-custodial parent can take two hours on every Thursday night during the school year (6:00 – 8:00 p.m) or pick up from School on Thursday and return to school on Friday, then pick up from school on Friday and return to school the following Monday morning. The school to school deal is really only workable if a parent is within “range” of the school. Leaving the house at 6:00 a.m. to drop off a child at school is a little unworkable and a Judge will tell you that. Notice, all the options are in the non-primary / non-custodial parent’s choice. They are the decision maker unless family violence or drug use is involved in the case.
Standard Possession Order
IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that the parties shall have possession of the child at any and all times mutually agreed to in advance by the parties and, in the absence of mutual agreement, shall have possession of the child under the specified terms set out in this Standard Possession Order. [See this language, this means the parties can agree to switch weekends or trade days, it means they can agree to do something that might work for them better than the standard order. Caveat, if you do enter into a permanent or semi-permanent change of the possession schedule, example you permanently switched weekends, then you might find yourself with a motion to modify to make that the permanent court order.]
A. PARENTS WHO RESIDE 100 MILES OR LESS APART
(a) If the nonprimary/possessory conservator resides 100 miles or less from the primary residence of the child, the nonprimary/possessory conservator shall have the right to possession of the child as follows:
(1) Weekends. On weekends beginning: (CHOOSE ONE)
______ At 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the first, third and fifth Friday of each month;
______ If the child is enrolled in school, at the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed on the first, third and fifth Friday of each month [This language is part of what is called the expanded Standard Possession Schedule, i.e., from the time school lets out to the time school resumes after the weekend];
________ If the child is enrolled in school, at_______ o’clock____.m. (specify time elected between the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed and 6:00 o’clock p.m.) on the first, third and fifth Friday of each month;
and ending: (CHOOSE ONE)
______ At 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the following Sunday.
______ If the child is enrolled in school, at the time the child’s school resumes after the weekend.
(2) Weekend Possession Extended By Holiday. If a weekend period of possession of the nonprimary/possessory conservator coincides with a school holiday during the regular school term, or with a federal, state or local holiday during the summer months in which school is not in session, the weekend possession shall begin: (CHECK ONE)
_______ At 6:00 o’clock p.m. Thursday for a Friday holiday or school holiday;
_______ At the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed for a Friday holiday or school holiday;
_______ If the child is enrolled in school, at_______ o’clock____.m. (specify time elected between the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed and 6:00 o’clock p.m.) on the day that the child’s school is regularly dismissed for a Friday holiday or school holiday;
and ending: (CHECK ONE)
_______ At 6:00 o’clock p.m. on a Monday holiday or school holiday
_______ If the child is enrolled in school, at the time the child’s school resumes after a Monday holiday or school holiday.
(3) Thursdays. On Thursdays of each week during the regular school term:
(CHECK ONE)
________ Beginning at 6:00 o’clock p.m. and ending at 8:00 o’clock p.m.;
________ At the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed; and ending at the time the child’s school resumes on Friday morning,
(unless the court finds that it is not in the child’s best interest)
(b) The following provisions govern possession of the child for vacations and certain holidays and supersede conflicting weekend or Thursday periods of possession. The nonprimary/possessory conservator and the managing conservator shall have rights of possession of the child as follows:
(1) Spring Vacation. The nonprimary/possessory conservator shall have possession of the child in even-numbered years beginning: (CHOOSE ONE)
________ At 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the day the child is dismissed from school for the school’s spring vacation;
_________ If the child is enrolled in school, at the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed for the school’s spring vacation;
________ If the child is enrolled in school, at _______ o’clock _____.m. (specify time elected between the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed and 6:00 o’clock p.m.) on the day the child is dismissed from school for the school’s spring vacation;
and ending: (CHOOSE ONE)
________ At 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the day before school resumes after that vacation.
________ If the child is enrolled in school, at the time the child’s school resumes after that vacation.
The managing conservator shall have possession for the same period in odd-numbered years.
(2) Summer.
(A) If the nonprimary/possessory conservator gives the managing conservator written notice by April 1 of each year specifying an extended period or periods of summer possession, the nonprimary/possessory conservator shall have possession of the child for thirty (30) days beginning not earlier than the day after the child’s school is dismissed for the summer vacation and ending not later than seven (7) days before school resumes at the end of the summer vacation, to be exercised in not more than two (2) separate periods of at least seven (7) consecutive days each.
(B) If the nonprimary/possessory conservator does not give the managing conservator written notice by April 1 of each year specifying an extended period or periods of summer possession, the nonprimary/possessory conservator shall have possession of the child for thirty (30) consecutive days beginning at 6:00 o’clock p.m. on July 1 and ending at 6:00 o’clock p.m. on July 31.
(C) If the managing conservator gives the nonprimary/possessory conservator written notice by June 1 of each year, the managing conservator shall have possession of the child on any one weekend beginning Friday at 6:00 o’clock p.m. and ending at 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the following Sunday during any one period of possession by the nonprimary/possessory conservator under Subdivisions (b)(1) or (b)(2), provided that the managing conservator picks up the child from the nonprimary/possessory conservator and returns the child to that same place.
(D) If the managing conservator gives the nonprimary/possessory conservator written notice by April 15 of each year or gives the nonprimary/possessory conservator 14 days’ written notice on or after April 16 of each year, the managing conservator may designate one weekend beginning not earlier than the day after the child’s school is dismissed for the summer vacation and ending not later than seven (7) days before school resumes at the end of the summer vacation, during which an otherwise scheduled weekend period of possession by the nonprimary/possessory conservator will not take place, provided that the weekend so designated does not interfere with the nonprimary/possessory conservator’s period or periods of extended summer possession or with Father’s Day weekend if the nonprimary/possessory conservator is the father of the child.
PARENTS WHO RESIDE OVER 100 MILES APART
If the nonprimary/possessory conservator resides more than 100 miles from the residence of the child, the nonprimary/possessory conservator shall have the right to possession of the child as follows:
Weekends. On weekends beginning: (CHOOSE ONE)
______ At 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the first, third, and fifth Friday of each month;
______ If the child is enrolled in school, at the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed on the first, third and fifth Friday of each month;
______ If the child is enrolled in school, at _______ o’clock____.m. (specify time elected between the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed and 6:00 o’clock p.m.) on the first, third and fifth Friday of each month;
and ending: (CHOOSE ONE)
_____ At 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the following Sunday.
______ If the child is enrolled in school, at the time the child’s school resumes after the weekend.
(b) Alternative Weekend Possession. In lieu of the foregoing, the nonprimary/possessory conservator shall have the right to possession of the child not more than one weekend per month of the nonprimary/possessory conservator’s choice beginning: (CHECK ONE)
_______ At 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the day school recesses for the weekend;
_______ If the child is enrolled in school, at the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed for the weekend;
_______ If the child is enrolled in school, at _______ o’clock _____.m. (specify time elected between the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed and 6:00 o’clock p.m.) on the day school recesses for the weekend; and ending: (CHECK ONE)
_______ At 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the day before school resumes after the weekend.
________ If the child is enrolled in school, at the time the child’s school resumes after the weekend. The nonprimary/possessory conservator may elect an option for this alternative period of possession by giving written notice to the managing conservator within ninety (90) days after the parties begin to reside more than 100 miles apart. If the nonprimary/possessory conservator makes this election, the nonprimary/possessory conservator shall give the managing conservator fourteen (14) days’ written or telephonic notice preceding a designated weekend.
(c) Weekend Possession Extended By Holiday. If a weekend period of possession of the nonprimary/possessory conservator coincides with a school holiday during the regular school term, or with a federal, state or local holiday during the summer months in which school is not in session, the weekend possession shall begin: (CHOOSE ONE)
_______ At 6:00 o’clock p.m. Thursday for a Friday holiday or school holiday;
_______ At the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed for a Friday holiday or school holiday;
_______ If the child is enrolled in school, at _______ o’clock _____.m. (specify time elected between the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed and 6:00 o’clock p.m.) on the day that the child’s school is regularly dismissed for a Friday holiday or school holiday;
and ending: (CHOOSE ONE)
_______ At 6:00 o’clock p.m. on a Monday holiday or school holiday;
_______ If the child is enrolled in school, at the time the child’s school resumes after a Monday holiday or school holiday.
(d) Spring Vacation. Each year beginning: (CHOOSE ONE)
________ At 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the day the child is dismissed from school for the school’s spring vacation;
_________ If the child is enrolled in school, at the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed for the school’s spring vacation;
________ If the child is enrolled in school, at _________ o’clock _____.m. (specify time elected between the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed and 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the day the child is dismissed from school for the school’s spring vacation;
and ending: (CH00SE ONE)
________ At 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the day before school resumes after that vacation.
________ If the child is enrolled in school, at the time the child’s school resumes after that vacation.
(e) Summer.
(1) If the nonprimary/possessory conservator gives the managing conservator written notice by April 1 of each year specifying an extended period or periods of summer possession, the nonprimary/possessory conservator shall have possession of the child for 42 days beginning not earlier than the day after the child’s school is dismissed for the summer vacation and ending not later than seven (7) days before school resumes at the end of the summer vacation, to be exercised in not more than two (2) separate periods of at least seven (7) consecutive days each.
(2) If the nonprimary/possessory conservator does not give the managing conservator written notice by April 1 of each year specifying an extended period or periods of summer possession, the nonprimary/possessory conservator shall have possession of the child for 42 consecutive days beginning at 6:00 o’clock p.m. on June 15 and ending at 6:00 o’clock p.m. on July 27.
(3) If the managing conservator gives the nonprimary/possessory conservator written notice by April 15 of each year, the managing conservator shall have possession of the child on any one weekend beginning Friday at 6:00 o’clock p.m. and ending at 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the following Sunday during any one period of possession by the nonprimary/possessory conservator under Subdivisions (5)(a) or (5)(b), provided that if a period of possession by the nonprimary/possessory conservator exceeds thirty (30) days, the managing conservator may have possession of the child under the terms of this subdivision on any two (2) nonconsecutive weekends during that time period, and further provided that the managing conservator picks up the child from the nonprimary/possessory conservator and returns the child to that same place.
If the managing conservator gives the nonprimary/possessory conservator written notice by April 15 of each year, the managing conservator may designate 21 days beginning not earlier than the day after the child’s school is dismissed for the summer vacation and ending not later than seven (7) days before school resumes at the end of the summer vacation, to be exercised in not more than two (2) separate periods of at least seven (7) consecutive days each, during which the nonprimary/possessory conservator may not have possession of the child, provided that the period or periods so designated do not interfere with the nonprimary/possessory conservator’s period or periods of extended summer possession or with Father’s Day weekend if the nonprimary/possessory conservator is the father of the child.
C. HOLIDAY POSSESSION
The following provisions govern possession of the child for certain specific holidays and supersede conflicting weekend or Wednesday periods of possession without regard to the instance the parents reside apart. The nonprimary/possessory conservator and managing conservator shall have rights of possession of the child as follows:
(a) Christmas.
(1) The nonprimary/possessory conservator shall have possession of the child in even-numbered years beginning at 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the day the child is dismissed from school for the Christmas vacation and ending at noon on December 26. The managing conservator shall have possession for the same period in odd-numbered years.
(2) The nonprimary/possessory conservator shall have possession of the child in odd-numbered years beginning at noon on December 26 and ending: (CHECK ONE)
________ At 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the day before school resumes after that vacation.
_________ If the child is enrolled in school, at the time the child’s school resumes after that vacation.
The managing conservator shall have possession for the same period in even-numbered years.
(b) Thanksgiving. The nonprimary/possessory conservator shall have possession of the child in odd-numbered years beginning: (CHECK ONE)
________ At 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the day the child is dismissed from school before Thanksgiving;
________ If the child is enrolled in school, at the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed for the Thanksgiving vacation;
________ If the child is enrolled in school, at _______ o’clock _____.m. (specify time elected between the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed and 6:00 o’clock p.m.) on the day the child is dismissed from school before Thanksgiving;
and ending: (CHECK ONE)
________ At 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the following Sunday.
_________ If the child is enrolled in school, at the time the child’s school resumes after that vacation.
The managing conservator shall have possession for the same period in even-numbered years.
(c) Child’s Birthday. The parent not otherwise entitled under this standard order to present possession of a child on the child’s birthday shall have possession of the child beginning at 6:00 o’clock p.m. and ending at 8:00 o’clock p.m. on that day, provided that said parent picks up the child from the residence of the conservator entitled to possession and returns the child to that same place.
(d) Father’s Day Weekend. If a conservator, the father shall have possession of the child beginning at 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the Friday preceding Father’s Day and ending on Father’s Day at 6:00 o’clock p.m., provided that, if he is not otherwise entitled under this standard order to present possession of the child, he picks up the child from the residence of the conservator entitled to possession and returns the child to that same place.
(e) Mother’s Day Weekend. If a conservator, the mother shall have possession of the child beginning at 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the Friday preceding Mother’s Day and ending on Mother’s Day at 6:00 o’clock p.m., provided that, if she is not otherwise entitled under this standard order to present possession of the child, she picks up the child from the residence of the conservator entitled to possession and returns the child to that same place.
D. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Without regard to the distance between the residence of the parent and the child:
(a) The managing conservator shall surrender the child to the nonprimary/possessory conservator at the beginning of each period of the nonprimary/possessory conservator’s possession at the residence of the managing conservator.
(b) If the nonprimary/possessory conservator elects to begin a period of possession at the time the child’s school is regularly dismissed, the managing conservator shall surrender the child to the nonprimary/possessory conservator at the beginning of each such period of possession at the school in which the child is enrolled.
(c) The nonprimary/possessory conservator shall: (CHECK ONE)
_______ Surrender the child to the managing conservator at the end of each period of possession at the residence of the nonprimary/possessory conservator.
________ Return the child to the residence of the managing conservator at the end of each period of possession. The nonprimary/possessory conservator shall surrender the child to the managing conservator at the end of each period of possession at the residence of the nonprimary/possessory conservator if (1) the nonprimary/possessory conservator’s county of residence remains the same after the rendition of this order, and the managing conservator’s county of residence changes, effective on the date of the change of domicile by the managing conservator, or (2) the nonprimary/possessory conservator and managing conservator lived in the same residence at any time during a six-month period preceding the date on which a suit for dissolution of the marriage was filed and the nonprimary/possessory conservator’s county of residence remains the same and the managing conservator’s county of residence changes after they no longer live in the same residence, effective on the date the order is rendered.
(d) If the nonprimary/possessory conservator elects to end a period of possession at the time the child’s school resumes, the nonprimary/possessory conservator shall surrender the child to the managing conservator at the end of each such period of possession at the school in which the child is enrolled.
(e) Each conservator shall return with the child the personal effects that the child brought at the beginning of the period of possession.
(f) Either parent may designate any competent adult to pick up and return the child, as applicable. A parent or a designated competent adult shall be present when the child is picked up or returned.
(g) A parent shall give notice to the person in possession of the child on each occasion that the parent will be unable to exercise that parent’s right of possession for any specified period. Repeated failure of a parent to give notice of an inability to exercise nonprimary/possessory rights may be considered as a factor in a modification of those nonprimary/possessory rights.
(h) Written notice shall be deemed to have been timely made if received or postmarked before or at the time that notice is due.
(i) If a conservator’s time of possession of a child ends at the time school resumes and for any reason the child is not or will not be returned to school, the conservator in possession of the child shall immediately notify the school and the other conservator that the child will not be or has not been returned to school.
This is the end of the Standard possession order.