Texas Standard Possession Order (SPO): Complete Guide with Calendar
Quick Answer
The Texas Standard Possession Order (SPO) gives the non-custodial parent the 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends of each month, Thursday evenings during the school year, alternating holidays, and 30 days each summer. Under the Expanded SPO (the default since 2018 if the non-custodial parent lives within 50 miles), weekends extend Friday after school through Monday morning, and Thursday becomes an overnight. The child's home county determines exact times.
If you're divorcing in Texas with kids, the Standard Possession Order (SPO) is the default schedule your court will apply unless both parents agree to something else. It's codified in Texas Family Code §153.312–.317 and is presumed to be in the child's best interest for kids 3 and older. This guide explains exactly how it works, including the Expanded SPO that became the default in 2018.
Quick overview
The SPO splits the year into the school term and summer/holidays. The "custodial" parent (called the parent with the exclusive right to designate primary residence) has the child the majority of the time. The "non-custodial" parent (often abbreviated NCP) gets predictable possession on this rotation:
- 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends of every month
- Thursday evenings during the school year
- 30 days each summer
- Alternating major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break)
Standard vs. Expanded SPO
Since September 1, 2018, the Expanded SPO is the default when the NCP lives within 50 miles of the child's primary residence, unless the NCP opts out or the court finds it isn't in the child's best interest. The difference is meaningful:
| Period | Standard SPO | Expanded SPO |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend pickup | Friday 6pm | Friday when school is dismissed |
| Weekend dropoff | Sunday 6pm | Monday morning at school |
| Thursday | 6pm – 8pm | School dismissal Thursday – school start Friday |
The Expanded SPO is roughly a 45/55 split versus the Standard SPO's roughly 33/67.
School year: a typical month
Here's a sample October showing the NCP's possession in bold. Weeks start Sunday.
| Week | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CP | CP | CP | CP | NCP eve | NCP | NCP |
| 2 | NCP→CP | CP | CP | CP | NCP eve | CP | CP |
| 3 | CP | CP | CP | CP | NCP eve | NCP | NCP |
| 4 | NCP→CP | CP | CP | CP | NCP eve | CP | CP |
| 5 | CP | CP | CP | CP | NCP eve | NCP | NCP |
Months without a 5th weekend simply skip it; there is no makeup time.
Summer possession (30 days)
- The NCP gets 30 days of extended summer possession.
- If the NCP gives written notice by April 1, they choose the dates (must be in up to two blocks, each at least 7 days, ending at least 7 days before school starts).
- If no notice is given by April 1, the NCP defaults to July 1 – July 31.
- The CP gets one weekend during the NCP's 30 days and may designate one weekend in June or July to override the NCP's regular weekend (notice by April 15).
Holidays
| Holiday | Odd years | Even years |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving (Wed dismissal – Sun 6pm / Mon AM) | NCP | CP |
| Christmas first half (dismissal – Dec 28 noon) | NCP | CP |
| Christmas second half (Dec 28 noon – school resumes) | CP | NCP |
| Spring Break | NCP | CP |
| Child's birthday | NCP gets 6pm – 8pm if not already in their possession | |
| Mother's Day weekend | Always with mother | |
| Father's Day weekend | Always with father | |
Holiday possession always overrides the regular weekday/weekend schedule.
What about kids under 3?
The SPO doesn't automatically apply to children under 3. Texas Family Code §153.254 lets the court craft a developmentally appropriate schedule, usually shorter and more frequent visits to support attachment, often stepping up toward the standard schedule as the child approaches 3.
NCP lives 50–100 miles away
The Standard SPO still applies, but the NCP can elect Friday-to-Monday weekends and Thursday overnights.
NCP lives 100+ miles away
The schedule shifts to one weekend per month (NCP's choice with 14 days' notice), every Spring Break, and 42 days each summer.
Can we modify the SPO?
Yes — parents can agree to any schedule that serves the child. A common alternative is a true 50/50 like 2-2-5-5 or week-on/week-off. To replace the court-ordered SPO you need either a signed Agreed Order or a court modification showing a material change in circumstances.
Build your Texas SPO calendar
SharedCustody.app generates a year-round SPO calendar (Standard or Expanded), applies Texas holidays, and exports to Google, Apple, or Outlook — free.
Common questions
Is the SPO always 1st/3rd/5th weekends?
Yes — never 2nd/4th. That's so the NCP has a regular weekend at the start of every month.
Who pays for transportation?
By default the receiving parent picks up. Long-distance orders often split travel costs differently.
Does the SPO give roughly equal time?
No. Standard SPO is about 33% to the NCP; Expanded SPO is about 45%. Truly equal time requires a different schedule.