In divorces with children, the court issues a Standard Possession Order (SPO) that provides terms for visitation. The SPO is presumed to be in the child’s best interest. This sets default periods of possession, but the parties may agree to different periods of possession.
The SPO provides that the non-custodial parent (NCP) is entitled to Thursday evening possession during the school year. The NCP is also entitled to visitation on weekends throughout the year that starts on the first, third, and fifth Friday of the month. This is normally from 6 pm on Friday until 6 pm on Sunday. School holidays that begin on weekends of visitation give the extra day to the NCP for visitation.
In even-numbered years, the NCP is entitled to visitation for the duration of Spring break and the first half of Christmas break. In odd-numbered years, the NCP gets the second half of Christmas break. During the Summer vacations, the NCP is entitled to 30 days of possession, to be taken in one or two periods of at least seven days.
Cindy Diggs, Board Certified in Family Law and Civil Trial Law, Diggs & Sadler 5300 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77056, 713-766-5355. www.houstondivorceoffice.com