Understanding Your Possession Schedule in Texas
In Texas, both parents typically have joint custody (known as conservatorship) of children after divorce. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that each parent will spend an equal amount of time with the children. In most divorce cases, one parent will have primary residential custody while the other has visitation according to a schedule approved by the court.
I am Sharon Merrick, a family law attorney in Richardson, Texas. I help my clients develop creative visitation schedules that enable them to preserve their relationships with their children.
What is the Standard Texas Visitation Schedule?
The standard visitation schedule (also known as a possession schedule) typically includes overnight visits on the first, third and fifth weekends of every month, alternate holidays, and an extended period of time in the summer.
However, the standard visitation schedule is only a starting point. As your lawyer, I will use a creative approach to help you continue to be an effective parent. For example, if you have school night visits one day a week, you can be involved in homework and your child's school life.
Can Visitation Be Restricted?
Texas courts want both parents to be as active in possible in their children's lives, absent a strong reason why visitation should be restricted. Reasons why visitation may be restricted include domestic violence, drug use and child endangerment.
In cases of spousal abuse, the abusive parent may be restricted to seeing kids in a locked facility. Other visitation orders can allow weekend visits only, or require drug or alcohol screenings.
Learn about modifications to child custody and visitation.
Free attorney consultation: To discuss visitation with me, lawyer Sharon Merrick, call 972-591-2323 or fill out the contact form on this Web site.
