When parents live 50 miles apart or less, the noncustodial parent is provided with options when completing a standard possession order as outlined below. The noncustodial parent has the opportunity to choose between the “default” or “election” option when the terms of your order are being settled.

If your parenting time schedule has already been established by a court, the Child Support Division is unable to modify this portion of your order. However, if the court ordered a standard possession order in your case, the parents can work towards a mutual agreement that works best for your family. (TFC § 153.311) For information about modifying your parenting time schedule, visit Texas Access (txaccess.org).

TFC §§ 153.3171, 153.317, 153.316, 153.315, 153.314, 153.312

Here are some additional parenting time schedules.

51 to 100 Miles Apart 100 Miles Apart

Weekends – 1st, 3rd and 5th of Fridays each month

Default:

Pickup at the time school is dismissed for the weekend and drop-off at the time school resumes after the weekend during the school term. When school is not in session, pickup on Friday at 6 p.m. and drop-off Sunday at 6 p.m.

Election:

Pickup on Friday at 6 p.m. and drop-off Sunday at 6 p.m.

Drop-off schedule on a parenting time weekend that is extended by a school holiday or teacher in-service day that falls on a Monday

Default:

Drop-off at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

Election:

Drop-off at 6 p.m. on Monday.

Pickup schedule on a parenting time weekend that is extended by a school holiday or teacher in-service day that falls on a Friday

Default:

Pickup at the time school is dismissed on Thursday.

Election:

Pickup at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Thursdays each week during the school term

Default:

Pickup at the time school is dismissed on Thursday and drop-off at the time school resumes on Friday.

Election:

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 schedule in even numbered years:

Default:

Pickup at the time school is dismissed for spring vacation and drop-off at 6 p.m. the day before school resumes.

Election:

Pickup at 6 p.m. the day school is dismissed for spring vacation and drop-off at 6 p.m. the day before school resumes.

Christmas break (Even Numbered Years)

The noncustodial parent has this parenting time schedule in even numbered years:

Default:

Pickup at the time school is dismissed for the holiday and drop-off at noon on December 28.

Election:

Pickup at 6 p.m. the day school is dismissed for the holiday and drop-off at noon on December 28.

 

Christmas break (Odd Number Years)

The noncustodial parent has this parenting time schedule in odd numbered years:

Pickup at noon on December 28 and drop-off at 6 p.m. on the day before school resumes from the holiday.        

Thanksgiving

The noncustodial parent has this parenting time 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.

Election:

Pickup at 6 p.m. on the day 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 following 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.

Election:

Pickup at 6 p.m. on the 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:

Default:

Pickup at the time school is dismissed on the Friday before Mother’s Day and drop-off at the time school resumes after Mother’s Day.

Election:

Pickup at 6 p.m. on the Friday before Mother’s Day and drop-off at 6 p.m. on Mother’s Day.

Summer Vacation

The noncustodial parent can have 30 days of extended parenting time as follows:

Default:

Pickup at 6 p.m. on July 1 and drop-off at 6 p.m. on July 31.

Election:

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 1st. The time period may begin no earlier than the day after the child’s school is dismissed for the summer vacation and ending no later than seven days before school resumes at the end of the summer vacation. The extended summer parenting time must be exercised in no more than two separate periods of at least seven consecutive days each, as specified in the written notice. The extended summer parenting time must not interfere with Father’s Day parenting time. These periods of possession shall begin and end at 6 p.m. on each applicable day.

Under either of the above options, the custodial parent may pick one weekend for parenting time during these 30 days but must send written notice to the noncustodial parent by April 15th with the dates. Pickup is at 6 p.m. on Friday and drop-off is at 6 p.m. on Sunday. The custodial parent is responsible for picking the child up from the noncustodial parent and returning the child. The weekend cannot interfere with Father’s Day parenting time if the noncustodial parent is the father.

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