For many families, summer is a season filled with outdoor adventures, family gatherings, and cherished memories. But for divorced or separated parents, this time of year can bring unique challenges and questions regarding the summer visitation schedule and the Standard Possession Order in Texas.
At C.E. Borman, our dedicated family law attorneys understand the importance of clear and effective co-parenting during the summer months, and we’re here to provide guidance and insight into how to make the most of your summer visitation while complying with the legal requirements of the Standard Possession Order.
In this blog, we’ll explore the key considerations and strategies that Texas parents should keep in mind when planning their summer visitation arrangements.
(Please note that the following information only applies to the standard possession order in Texas. Check your order for exact times for pick up and drop off, as they may differ.)
Standard Possession Orders in Texas
In Texas, a Standard Possession Order provides visitation information for the summer period (from the day after school lets out for the summer to the week before school begins again) for both the custodial and non-custodial parent.
Non-Custodial Parent Summer Visitation
For the parent with visitation, summer visitation is referred to Extended Summer Possession if you have standard visitation orders in Texas. This is the thirty days that the parent with visitation or non-custodial parent (NCP) has during the summer in addition to their standard weekends throughout the other summer months.
Remember, in the summer the NCP gets normal first, third and fifth Friday weekend possessions in addition to the 30-day extended summer possession. The weekend begins at 6 p.m. on Friday and ends at 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Dates to remember:
- April 1st is the deadline for the parent with visitation to designate the 30 days of visitation in the summer if your standard possession order is out of the state of Texas. If the non-custodial parent designated the days, then there is no problem. However, if the NCP did not designate a visitation schedule by the first of April then it defaults to July 1 through July 31st beginning and ending at 6 p.m.
- July 1-31st is the summer visitation schedule if the parent with visitation does not designate their visitation times by April 1
- April 15th is the deadline for the custodial parent to designate one weekend in the 30-day period of possession to have the children. The weekend begins at 6 p.m. on Friday and ends at 6 p.m. on Sunday, and the custodial parent must do all the driving to pick up and drop off. The custodial parent will lose that weekend if it’s not designated by the April 15th
Custodial Parent Summer Visitation
During the summer, the custodial parent (CP) gets to choose two weekends – one weekend within the 30-day period of extended summer possession with the NCP, and the other weekend takes place outside the 30-day visitation period on a weekend that would otherwise belong to the NCP.
Contact C.E. Borman Family Lawyers Today
Navigating the intricacies of summer visitation and the Standard Possession Order in Texas requires careful consideration and can be greatly enhanced by a cooperative mindset from both custodial and non-custodial parents. If you have further questions or need assistance regarding your summer arrangement for your children, don’t hesitate to reach out to our dedicated team of Texas family lawyers at C.E. Borman. We are here to support you through this challenging time, ensuring the best possible outcome for your family.
