There are many ways to split possession of the kids between their parents. In fact, parents can agree to any possession schedule they like. Here are just some of the many options available to you:
1. Standard Possession Order
The Texas Family Code sets out a “Standard Possession Order.” Under this order, one parent has primary custody, and the other parent has the first and third weekends of the month. This is generally a good option when parents live far away from each other.
2. Alternating Weeks
Some families choose to have possession in alternating weeks. This option often gives children more stability during the school week.
3. Alternating Days
Some parents may choose to have possession on alternating days. This option is typically used when the child is still in daycare or preschool.
4. “2-2-3 Schedule”
Another option is to utilize a 2-2-3 Schedule. How does this work? I’ll tell you. In a typical week, Parent A has possession for two days, then Parent B has possession for two days, and then Parent A has possession for three days. The next week, Parent B has possession for two days, then Parent A has possession for two days, and finally, Parent B has possession for three days.
5. “3-3-4-4 Schedule”
A 3-3-4-4 Schedule also splits custody evenly. This schedule is laid out similarly to the 2-2-3 Schedule, but parents trade off every three or four days. In week one, Parent A will have the child for three days, then Parent B will have the child for three days, then Parent A will have the child for four days, and finally Parent B will also have the child for four days. After that, the schedule repeats itself.
6. “2-2-5-5 Schedule”
Some parents have even chosen to utilize a 2-2-5-5 Schedule. You guessed it, this is another method similar to those previously mentioned. First, Parent A will have possession for two days, Parent B will have possession for two days, Parent A will have possession for five days, and Parent B will have possession for five days. The schedule then repeats.
7. Transitioning Between Possession Periods
Typically, parents will choose to use school or daycare drop off and pick up as markers for changing custody. It is important to specifically lay out when possession starts and when possession ends. This can prevent major headaches later on.
8.Holiday Possession
When planning your regular possession schedule, it is also important to take holidays into consideration. By planning holiday possession now, you can save yourself the grief of fighting over possession during the holiday seasons. In addition, don’t forget to determine if the standard possession schedule is “paused” during the holiday schedule, or if the possession schedule starts at the beginning after the holiday schedule is concluded.
Typically, parents will divide up holiday possession in even and odd years. For example, in even years, one parent might have Halloween and Christmas, but, in odd years, have Thanksgiving and Spring Break.
There are a variety of holidays to consideration. These holidays might include Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, New Year’s Eve, MLK Day, Spring Break, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day.
It’s also important to consider how to handle your children’s birthdays as well as your own. And don’t forget about any religious holidays your family celebrates.
Once last holiday consideration is extended summer possession. Each parent might want to have an extra week or two of possession during the summer. This way, they can plan vacations and other major events with the kids.
Erinakes Law, PLLC
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