Custody time shouldn’t feel like a puzzle with missing pieces. Hunt Law Firm attorneys, Alex Hunt and Margaret Tucker, pull the Texas Standard Possession Order apart and rebuild it in plain language—when the expanded, school-to-school version applies, how first/third/fifth weekends actually work, and why the summer election window (and those April deadlines) matters more than you think. From odd/even holiday rotations to birthday time guarantees, we map the details so you can plan without second-guessing.

We also get practical about distance. If you’re 50–100 miles apart, you can choose expanded or basic SPO; past 100 miles, the presumption shifts and summertime expands to 42 days. Work schedules complicate the picture—offshore rotations, firefighter shifts, and on-call duties rarely fit cleanly into Thursdays and weekends—so we share custom options that courts accept when you show the default is unworkable and your plan preserves consistent contact.

Thinking about 50–50? We compare week-on/week-off with 2-2-3 splits, explaining what families love—and why many judges hesitate. Stability, a “home base,” and frequent contact drive court decisions, especially for kids under three. We walk through Texas Family Code 153.254 factors, common under-three approaches like frequent short visits and limited overnights, and how to step up time as a child grows and routines settle.

If you’re negotiating or heading to mediation, start with what a court is likely to do, then tailor for school, travel, and your child’s needs. Agreements add flexibility, while the SPO provides a reliable safety net if cooperation falters.

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This podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. The information in this podcast is not intended to and does not create an attorney-client relationship.