Couples preparing for divorce in Texas have a lot of issues to address. When they share children, the pressure to resolve matters quickly and effectively increases. Parents naturally want to preserve their connections with their children, and they may have to work together to negotiate arrangements that function effectively for the entire family after a divorce.
Establishing shared custody is a challenge for most parents, and it can be hard to keep a focus on the big picture when addressing such a personal and emotional issue. Parents either arrange their own settlement as they prepare for divorce or they ask a judge to help.
Every parenting plan is a unique collection of terms based on family circumstances, but most families in Texas need to address the three basic concerns below to effectively share parental rights and responsibilities.
1. Parenting time
One of the first issues parents have to address is the need to divide parenting time. They need to establish an overall breakdown of overnight stays with the children. They also need plans for how to handle special events, including holidays, dance performances, athletic competitions and other special moments in their children’s lives.
Some parents try to secure a 50/50 split of parenting time, but such arrangements are not always practical. Parents need to be realistic about the division of time with their children based on family schedules and other factors.
2. Decision-making authority
Parents typically have to make important decisions on behalf of their minor children. Parents decide where children attend school and what medical care they receive. Divorcing and separating parents typically need to establish terms for sharing decision-making authority or legal custody.
Typically, parents share legal custody by having authority to make minor decisions during their parenting time and agreeing to cooperate on major decisions. In some cases, parents may decide to grant one adult final decision-making authority in certain matters.
3. Parental communication
Parenting plans typically have standards for communication. There may be rules for how the parents communicate with one another, such as requirements that they share information via a parenting app.
The parents may also have rules for communicating with the children when they are with the other parent. Doing so helps ensure that the parents remain up to date about their children’s lives.
Understanding the basic issues that parents need to address in a custody order can help guide initial discussions and may make it easier for people to settle custody matters without going to court. Parents who address their concerns through direct negotiation can establish a custody order through mutual consent instead of litigation.
