Understanding the 2022 Standard Possession Order Calendar

As part of their divorce and child custody agreement, parents need to create a parenting time schedule using a yearly calendar.

In Texas, the court offers standard possession options and provides an annual standard possession order calendar that parents can modify to suit their needs.

What a Possession Order Calendar Decides

This calendar addresses “exchange times, weekday and weekend visits, holidays, your child’s birthday, spring and summer break, and many other important events in your child’s life,” and it can change based on your family’s unique situation.

According to the Attorney General of Texas, the noncustodial parent will get to choose from the standard possession order options unless the court decides an election is not in the child’s best interest. If the noncustodial parent does not make a choice (known as an “election”), the order will revert to the “default.”

The 2022 Standard Possession Order Calendar details overnights every other weekend with the noncustodial parent and days for pickup and drop-off. Under the default noncustodial parent calendar, the child spends spring break (March 14 through 19) with the noncustodial parent, along with the month of July, and the week of Christmas (December 16 through 27).

Choosing the Right Calendar

If the above child visitation calendar will not fulfill you and your co-parent’s needs, you can choose another standard custody agreement accepted in Texas. You may also create a custom one.

The most important component of a possession order calendar is that you and your ex agree on how you will share parenting time, and the order is approved by the court.

Your attorney can help you create a possession order calendar inside or outside of court and get it approved by the family law court. Once the court approves your calendar, the possession order calendar is enforceable. This means that if one parent fails to honor the court order, the other parent can take them to court to enforce it.

Failure to follow a court order—whether it’s a standard possession order, extended possession order, etc.—could put you in “contempt of court.” If convicted, this could lead to fines and jail time.

The Standard Possession Order Calendar Does Not Apply to Every Family

Please note that the state of Texas’ standard possession order does not apply to every family. To determine what is best for you and your family, you should not only reference the 2022 Standard Possession Order Calendar but also speak to a local attorney.

G.J. Chavez & Associates, P.C. is dedicated to serving our clients, and we can create a tailor-made solution for you and your loved ones. We have more than 20 years of legal experience and have handled thousands of cases for clients like you.

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