The Texas Standard Possession Order (SPO) Explained

The Texas Standard Possession Order (SPO) Explained: Your Guide to Collin County Custody Schedules

When you are going through a divorce or custody proceeding in North Texas, one of the most critical questions on your mind is: When will I actually get to see and spend time with my kids?

For many parents in McKinney, Frisco, and across Collin County, the answer is found in the Texas standard possession order (SPO).

Created by the Texas Legislature and outlined in Chapter 153 of the Texas Family Code, the SPO serves as the state’s default framework for parenting schedules. It is designed to ensure that a child maintains frequent and continuing contact with both parents when they do not reside together.

Whether you expect to be the primary custodial parent (managing conservator) or the possessory conservator, understanding how the standard schedule works—along with expanded options and holiday splits—is essential. Below, we break down how the Texas possession calendar operates, how 1st/3rd/5th weekends are calculated, and how local Collin County courts handle co-parenting schedules.

What is the Texas Standard Possession Order?

Under Texas law, if parents cannot reach a customized agreement on their own or through mediation, courts presume that the standard possession order is in the “best interest of the child” for children aged three and older.

The SPO establishes a structured schedule specifying exactly when the non-primary parent has the right to possession of the child for:

• Regular weekend periods
• Weekday evenings
• Holidays and school breaks
• Extended summer vacations

The schedule varies depending on the distance between the parents’ residences—specifically whether the parents live 100 miles or less apart or more than 100 miles apart. For most families residing within Collin County and neighboring North Texas communities, the “100 miles or less” guidelines apply.

The Core Routine: 1st, 3rd, and 5th Weekends

The hallmark of the standard possession order is the texas custody schedule 1st 3rd 5th weekend framework during the school year.

Under a traditional SPO, the non-primary parent has possession of the child on:

• The 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends of a month: Beginning at 6:00 PM on Friday and ending at 6:00 PM on Sunday.
• Thursday evenings during the school year: Beginning at 6:00 PM and ending at 8:00 PM every Thursday.

How to Count the “5th Weekend”

One common point of confusion for Collin County parents is how to identify the “5th weekend.” In Texas family law, a weekend is defined by the Friday on which it begins.

If a month has five Fridays, the non-primary parent receives the weekend beginning on that fifth Friday. Because the next weekend will be the first Friday of the following month, the non-primary parent will have possession two consecutive weekends in a row. Keeping a reliable co-parenting calendar prevents misunderstandings during five-weekend months.

The Expanded Standard Possession Order (ESPO)

In recent years, Texas law has shifted to favor greater parental involvement through the expanded standard possession order texas framework (Texas Family Code § 153.317).

Under current statutory guidelines, if the non-primary parent lives within 50 miles of the child and requests expanded possession, the court is generally required to grant it unless there is a specific finding that it is not in the child’s best interest.

How Expanded SPO Modifies the Schedule:

Instead of relying on evening curbside pickups and drop-offs, the Expanded SPO ties transitions directly to school hours:

• Weekends: Possession begins when the child’s school dismisses on Friday and ends when school resumes on the following Monday morning (the non-primary parent drops the child off at school).
• Thursdays: Possession begins when school dismisses on Thursday afternoon and continues overnight, ending when school resumes on Friday morning.

Why Many Collin County Parents Prefer Expanded SPO:

1. More Meaningful Time: Expanded SPO increases the non-primary parent’s total parenting time from roughly 20–25% up to approximately 35–40% of the year.
2. Fewer Direct Parental Interactions: Because exchanges happen at school or daycare (one parent drops off, the other picks up), it significantly reduces direct conflict and tension between parents.
3. Better Routine for Children: Children spend whole nights with their parent rather than being rushed through a two-hour Thursday dinner visit.

Holidays, School Breaks, and Summers: The Holiday Schedule

The regular weekend and weekday routine is superseded by the Texas holiday possession schedule. Texas law establishes an alternating holiday calendar based on whether the calendar year ends in an even or odd number.

Special Parental Days

• Mother’s Day Weekend: The mother always has possession of the children from Friday evening (or school dismissal) through Sunday evening, regardless of whose regular weekend it would be.
• Father’s Day Weekend: The father always has possession of the children for Father’s Day weekend under the same terms.
• Child’s Birthday: The parent who does not have scheduled possession on the child’s birthday is entitled to a brief visit (usually 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM) to celebrate with the child.

Extended Summer Possession

During the summer break, the non-primary parent is entitled to 30 days of extended summer possession (or 42 days if parents reside more than 100 miles apart).

By default, this period runs from July 1 to July 31. However, if the non-primary parent provides written notice to the primary parent by April 1, they can choose their own 30-day window (which can be taken in up to two separate blocks of at least seven days each).

Standard SPO vs. Custom Parenting Plans in McKinney

While the Texas Standard Possession Order is the default, it is not mandatory if both parents can agree on an alternative.

Many families in McKinney, Allen, and Plano find that non-traditional schedules work better for their careers and family dynamics. During mediation, parents frequently negotiate customized co-parenting schedules, such as:

• 50/50 Equal Possession Plans: Popular models include a 2-2-3 schedule, a 2-2-5-5 rotation, or alternating weeks (7-on / 7-off).
• Schedules for First Responders and Shift Workers: Custom rotations designed around non-standard medical or emergency service shifts.
• Modified Plans for Children Under 3: Step-up parenting plans designed for infants and toddlers that gradually increase overnight visits as the child develops.

As long as your customized schedule is clearly defined and serves the best interest of your child, Collin County judges will routinely approve agreed-upon parenting plans.

Practical Exchange Considerations in Collin County

To avoid unnecessary disputes, your final court order should specify clear exchange logistics:

• Surrender Locations: Designate whether exchanges take place at school, the child’s residence, or a neutral midway location (such as a public facility or designated McKinney exchange spot).
• Written Communication: Utilize court-approved co-parenting platforms (like OurFamilyWizard or TalkingParents) to document schedule notices, summer possession selections, and medical updates.
• Punctuality: Texas orders strictly enforce exchange times; repeated tardiness or missed visits can be documented and used in future enforcement actions.

Why You Need a McKinney Child Custody Lawyer

Possession and access orders dictate your day-to-day relationship with your children for years to come. Ambiguities in how holiday rotations, pick-up times, or geographic boundaries are drafted can lead to persistent co-parenting friction and expensive trips back to court.

An experienced McKinney divorce attorney from Housewright Law Group will help you evaluate whether the Standard Possession Order, Expanded SPO, or a custom 50/50 arrangement best protects your parental bond. We represent parents throughout Collin County in custody negotiations, mediation, and court proceedings with dedication and clarity.

Ready to create a workable, sustainable parenting schedule for your family? Contact Housewright Law Group today to schedule a confidential consultation at our McKinney office. Let us help you protect your time with the ones who matter most.