Texas Primary Custody: What Does That Really Mean?

In Texas, courts typically appoint both parents as “joint managing conservators” or “JMCs” for their children.  What does this really mean though?

“Conservatorship” simply means the parent’s right to make certain decisions for the child, including decisions about medical care, mental health care, and educational decisions.  The presumption is that both parents should share these rights so that each has a say in important decisions concerning their child, in the absence of an emergency or other factors (which will be a topic of future blog entries here).  See Tex. Family Code § 153.131.

So, if the parents are joint managing conservators, how do we determine which parent has “primary custody?” 

Although that term is used by many parents to describe their status, it is not an actual legal term recognized in Texas.  The closest standard for determining which parent is “primary” relates to the court’s decision (or the parties’ agreement) to grant one parent the exclusive right to designate the child’s “primary residence.”  That parent is also generally the parent who has the exclusive right to receive child support. 

So, in Texas, the term “primary custody” is somewhat misleading.  Parents who are appointed as JMCs are usually under a Standard Possession Order or “SPO” where the child spends only a little more time with one parent than the other, once all the days and hours are added up.  It is even common for parents to agree to a possession order in which the children reside an equal amount of time with each parent.  In these circumstances, neither has “primary custody,” but one parent will still have the exclusive right to determine the child’s primary residence. 

Article by Austin Lawyer Cynthia W. Veidt 

How Does the Texas Standard Possession Schedule Handle Summer Vacations?

Under the Texas Standard Possession Schedule, distance affects the number of days of each parent’s possession during the child’s summer vacations. 

When the parents reside within 100 miles of each other, the possessory conservator (the one with whom the child does not primarily reside) has up to 30 days of possession during the summer months.  Under the default rule, the possessory conservator will have possession of the child beginning at 6:00 p.m. on July 1st until 6:00 p.m. on July 31st. 

If the parents live more than 100 miles apart, however, the possessory conservator is entitled to have possession for up to 42 days during the summer months.  Unless otherwise provided, the possessory conservator will have possession of the child beginning at 6:00 p.m. on June 14th until 6:00 p.m. on July 27th. 

By:  Cynthia W. Veidt and Erin Zeiss

What is the Texas Standard “Weekend Possession” Schedule in Texas?

Texas has adopted statutes which set out guidelines for a “Standard Possession Schedule” of a child by each parent.  A typical possession order determines which parent has the right to possess the child on a particular weekend.

In general, under Texas guidelines, a possessory conservator who resides 100 miles or less from the other conservator (with whom the child primarily resides) can do the following:

- have possession on weekends throughout the year beginning at 6:00 p.m. on the first, third, and fifth Friday of each month and ending at 6:00 p.m. on the following Sunday; and

- have possession on Thursdays of each week during the regular school term beginning at 6:00 p.m. and ending at 8:00 p.m., as long as the court finds that visitation in the best interest of the child.

In cases where the parents reside over 100 miles apart, the possessory conservator can either:

- have the same weekend possession schedule as a parent who lives within 100 miles, or

- can designate one weekend (which could begin on the second or fourth Friday) per month, so long as s/he does so at least 14 days in advance.  This provides the possessory parent a little more flexibility, but somewhat less possession time. 

Also, when residing more than 100 miles apart, the possessory parent no longer receives an overnight visit during the week (usually on Thursdays), but instead is entitled to have possession of the child during every spring break vacation.

By:  Cynthia W. Veidt and Erin Zeiss.

What is the Texas Standard Possession Schedule?

Texas has enacted a set of statutory guidelines called the “Standard Possession Schedule” to determine the possession schedule of a child by a parent who is either a possessory conservator or a joint managing conservator.

The Standard Possession Schedule gives each parent designated periods of weekend possession, summer possession, and possession during certain holidays (such as Thanksgiving and spring break).

In general, possession schedules are dictated by the parents’ proximity to each other.  Parents who reside within 100 miles of each usually have a slightly different possession schedule than parents who reside 100 or more miles apart from each other. 

You should always look at the particular order or divorce decree in your specific case to determine whether the court has used the Texas Standard Possession Schedule.  Once set by the court, that Possession Schedule becomes the “default;” however, both parents can agree to change the Possession Schedule in order to best meet their needs and the child’s needs. 

Parents should communicate with each other about their Possession Schedule, especially if something has occurred or will occur which would affect either parent’s ability to exercise any period of possession. 

By:  Cynthia W.Veidt and Erin Zeiss.

Can I Seek Custody of Someone Else’s Children?

Blended or complex households may involve raising step-children or even the children of friends and other non-relatives, often for a variety of practical economic and social reasons. But typically a non-relative does not have the legal right (called “standing”) to seek a court order for custody or to be appointed as that child’s conservator.

However, the Texas Legislature has recognized that, under certain circumstances, a non-relative can have enough involvement in a child’s life to be entitled to seek rights typically reserved for that child’s parents or other relatives.

Specifically, a person who has “actual care, control and possession” of a child for at least six months can file a petition to seek to be appointed as that child’s conservator, even when the child is not related by blood or marriage. The petition must be filed within 90 days of the child leaving the applicant’s actual care, control and possession. In this situation, “actual control” means that the applicant had power or authority to guide and manage the child.

So, for example, if the child of a friend has lived with you during the past year while attending school with your own children, and that friend is unable to return to care for the child (due to death, illness, financial misfortune, or other circumstances), you would have standing to file a petition asking the court to appoint you as the child’s managing conservator. Often, this arrangement can be temporary and does not involve terminating the rights of the child’s actual parents, but provides you with legal rights and authority (as described in the court’s order) related to the child’s care, possession and upbringing.

Article by Cindy Veidt.