Welcome to the April 2025 review of the Texas Standard Possession Order (SPO) for parents living less than 100 miles apart. While April is generally a routine month for visitation, it holds a major deadline that can significantly affect your summer plans—so it’s crucial to pay attention.
Let’s walk through the standard visitation schedule, Easter weekend provisions, summer possession deadlines, and how to give proper written notice. Whether you’re a custodial or non-custodial parent, this guide will help you stay compliant and in control of your parenting time.
📅 April 2025 Standard Possession Schedule
For parents operating under the Texas SPO, April follows the usual pattern:
Non-Custodial Parent:
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Thursdays: April 3, 10, 17, and 24
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Weekends:
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1st weekend: Friday, April 4
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3rd weekend: Friday, April 18
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Custodial Parent:
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Weekends:
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2nd weekend: Friday, April 11
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4th weekend: Friday, April 25
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🐣 Easter Holiday 2025
Easter may or may not be included in your custody order. If your order does not specifically designate Easter, then it defaults to a standard weekend—most likely falling on the non-custodial parent’s scheduled weekend. It’s uncommon for Easter to be addressed in SPOs, so check your order carefully.
☀️ Summer Possession: Why April Is So Important
April is the month when extended summer possession begins to take shape for both custodial and non-custodial parents.
🔔 Deadline: April 1st (Non-Custodial Parent)
You must give written notice by April 1st if you wish to designate custom summer possession dates. If you miss this deadline, you’ll default to the standard dates: July 1 to July 31.
Custom Date Rules:
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You may split your 30 days into two separate periods.
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Each period must be at least 7 consecutive days.
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You cannot break up your time into short chunks (e.g., 3 days here, 4 days there).
Example:
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Option 1: One 30-day period: July 1–July 30
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Option 2: Two periods, e.g., July 7–July 14 (7 days) and July 21–August 13 (23 days)
How to Count Your Days:
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Start counting on the first day you designate.
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Day 1 is the day possession begins.
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Day 7 ends at 6 p.m. on the 7th day.
📩 Deadline: April 15th (Custodial Parent)
Regardless of whether the non-custodial parent selects custom dates or defaults to July 1–31, the custodial parent has the right to select one weekend during that 30-day summer period to “steal back.”
Rules for Custodial Parent:
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Must give written notice by April 15th.
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The weekend must fall within the extended summer possession period.
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Starts Friday at 6 p.m. and ends Sunday at 6 p.m.
Example:
If the non-custodial parent selects:
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July 7–14 (7 days)
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July 21–August 13 (23 days)
The custodial parent could choose:
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July 11–13
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July 25–27
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Or any other available weekend within the two blocks.
If the non-custodial parent defaults to July 1–31, custodial parent can choose any weekend in that month with proper notice.
✍️ What Counts as “Written Notice”?
“Written notice” is not a verbal conversation. It must be documented and provable. Here are your options:
Acceptable Forms:
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Text message (with a reply confirming receipt)
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Email (with a reply or read receipt)
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Certified mail + first-class mail (with return receipt requested)
Important Tip:
Always keep proof that you sent it and that the other parent received it. Courts need to see evidence of delivery and acknowledgement, especially if disputes arise.
⚖️ Final Reminders
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Non-Custodial Parents: Submit your summer date notice by April 1 to avoid defaulting to July 1–31.
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Custodial Parents: Submit your weekend selection by April 15—this applies whether or not the other parent chooses custom dates.
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Keep records. Always use written communication that can be saved or printed for court.