Expanded Standard Possession Orders in Texas

The expanded standard possession schedule is a version of the Texas Standard Possession Order that gives the non-primary parent more overnights by moving pickup and return times to the start and end of the school day. For New Braunfels parents, it is now the starting point in many cases. Since September 1, 2021, Texas law makes the expanded times the default when parents live within 50 miles of each other, which describes most families who split time between homes in Comal County, Guadalupe County or nearby San Antonio suburbs. Here is how it works and how to decide whether it fits your family.

What “Expanded” Changes

The expanded schedule uses the same skeleton as the Standard Possession Order: first, third and fifth weekends, a weekly Thursday period during school, rotating holidays and summer time. What changes is when each period starts and ends.

Your order controls the exact times, so treat this table as a general guide.

The practical effect

Look at a typical school week. Under the basic schedule, a child might see the non-primary parent for two hours on Thursday and then go back to the primary parent. Under the expanded schedule, that parent picks the child up from school Thursday, helps with homework, does bedtime and drops the child off at school Friday morning. On first, third and fifth weekends, the child stays Sunday night too, with drop-off at school on Monday.

The non-primary parent gains real parenting time: school mornings, homework nights and teacher contact. The child also has fewer face-to-face exchanges between parents, because school becomes the handoff point.

The 50-Mile Default Since 2021

Before September 1, 2021, the non-primary parent had to elect expanded possession, and the court could deny it. The 2021 change made the expanded times the default for parents living 50 miles or less apart. Under the current rule, the expanded schedule applies unless:

• the non-primary parent elects the basic standard times instead, or
• the court finds the expanded schedule is not in the child’s best interest.

For parents living more than 50 but not more than 100 miles apart, the law still allows the non-primary parent to choose expanded times in many situations, subject to the court’s best-interest review. The election rules and deadlines are technical, so ask about your specific distance and order.

Is Expanded Possession Right for Your Family?

Expanded time works best when:

• both homes are close enough to school for an easy morning drop-off
• the non-primary parent’s job allows school pickups and morning drop-offs
• the child handles transitions better at school than at a parent’s door
• both parents can share school information, homework and supplies

It may work poorly when:

• one parent lives far from the child’s school, such as across Hays County or on the far side of Canyon Lake, making mornings long
• the non-primary parent cannot be available at school dismissal
• the child has needs that require a consistent morning routine
• there are safety concerns that call for more structure or supervision

Distance is measured between the parents’ residences, but the drive that matters most is often from the non-primary parent’s house to school. A family living 30 miles apart along I-35 can face a long morning in traffic.

How Expanded Possession Plays Out in Comal County

School as the exchange point

Most families in New Braunfels and Comal County will notice school becomes the main exchange spot. That makes it important to give the school a copy of the custody order and to keep both parents listed as contacts. Expanded orders usually say that if school is not in session, the exchange happens at a set time instead, and sometimes at a specified location.

Summer and holidays

The expanded schedule usually affects holidays as well. Thanksgiving and Christmas periods may begin when school lets out rather than at 6:00 p.m. that evening. Summer is generally unchanged because there is no school day to anchor to. See our holiday schedule page.

Child support

Expanded possession does not automatically lower guideline child support. Texas guidelines are based on the paying parent’s net resources and the number of children. A court can deviate from guidelines when the evidence supports it, but more overnights alone do not trigger a reduction.

Electing In or Out

If you are negotiating a new order, the election is usually made in your pleadings, at trial or in the agreed order itself. If you already have an order, switching usually requires a new agreed order or a modification.

Before making a choice, ask yourself:

1. Can I reliably be at school pickup by dismissal on Thursdays and possession Fridays?
2. Can I get the children to school on time Friday and Monday mornings, every time?
3. Will the children have what they need at both homes, including uniforms, instruments and medication?
4. How will we handle a sick day when the child is due to be returned at school?

Honest answers help avoid a schedule that looks good on paper but fails in practice.

Alternatives Beyond Expanded Standard

Some parents want even more balance. Equal schedules such as week-on/week-off or 2-2-5-5 are common in agreed orders. A judge may also order one when the evidence supports it. Our conservatorship page explains how the time-sharing schedule relates to the parents’ decision-making rights.

Talk With a New Braunfels Family Law Attorney

Whether you want to keep the expanded default, elect out, or negotiate something different, the decision affects your child’s school year in a very concrete way. Our family law team helps New Braunfels and Comal County parents choose schedules that hold up. Call (830) 302-4071 for a free consultation. We also speak Spanish.

Last reviewed November 13, 2026. General information only, not legal advice.