Standard Possession Order

Standard Possession Order

Standard Possession Order

Standard Divorce Decree Texas

When you are going through a divorce the things that you worry about the most is money and time. Apart from how much it will cost to get a divorce, you worry about visitation schedules and how much it will cost for child support and spousal support. One Pearland Divorce Lawyer asserts that periods of possession will be spelled out within the Final Decree of Divorce irrespective of what type of conservator you are. For instance, a parent that has primary possession of the child can have the possession of the child during the time that is not accounted for in the Final Decree of Divorce. A parent that does not have a primary possession has to stick with the periods spelled out by the Final Decree of Divorce. 

What Is The Standard Possession Order

The standard possession order states that every parent has a right to spend time with the child. A judge can refer to the order when creating possession times for both parents involved in a divorce. The Standard Possession Order also allows the parents to negotiate a visitation or possession schedule that they favour. If they do not agree on possessions then they will have to stick with the terms in the standard possession order. According to the Standard Possession Order the non primary parent can possess the child:

  • In the First, third and fifth weekend of each month and 
  • Thursday evenings during the school year
  • Alternating holidays and 
  • An extended period of 30 days during the summer vacation

However, if the parents lives more than 100 miles apart, the non custodial parent stays with the child in an extended period of 42 days during the summer vacation. In addition, the weekend schedule may be reduced to one weekend a month and there will be no mid-week visit. You can always negotiate with your spouse if you feel that you do not get to see your child enough every week. 

Understanding Child Support

Standard Possession OrderThe non-custodial parent is often ordered to pay child support to help the primary parent care for the child. The amount you pay for child support will depend on your monthly income and several other factors. The monthly payments go through the State Disbursement Unit for the Texas Attorney General’s Child Support Division, and you can pay once or twice a month.

The court determines what you have to pay every month depending on your monthly net resources. This amount is often multiplied by percentage depending on the number of children you have. These percentages include:

  • 20 percent for one child 
  • 25 percent for two children
  • 30 percent for three children
  • 40 percent for four children

So if your monthly net resources is $2,000 and you have one child, you will pay $400 every month for child support. However, these percentages will be reduced if the non primary parent has other children outside the marriage or from a different relationship.  Your divorce attorney can help you calculate the child support amount you will have to pay in your unique situation.

You may also be interested in…

  1. Uncontested Divorce In Texas
  2. The Divorce Procedure
  3. Alternative Dispute Resolution In Texas