Frequently Asked Questions About Joint Managing Conservatorship in Texas

In a Texas child custody or divorce case, conservators are the adults who make decisions about a child's life and upbringing. Both parents may act as managing conservators, or one parent may have full decision-making authority. In other situations, there may be one managing conservator and one possessory conservator who does not have decision-making authority but does have the right to spend time with the child.

If you are in the midst of a child custody case, it is important to know your options and understand the benefits of each. Joint managing conservatorship is an arrangement in which both parents, or both parties, share decision-making responsibilities. This arrangement can be very beneficial for both the parents and the child, but it is not appropriate in every situation.

How Does Joint Managing Conservatorship Work?

In a joint managing conservatorship, parents discuss child-related concerns and determine together what is in the best interests of their child. This arrangement may be appropriate for you if you and the child's other parent are able to cooperate and work together to handle child-related concerns. It is also useful if you and the other parent live within a reasonably close distance from one another and have similar parenting styles and beliefs.

When Does the Court Order Joint Managing Conservators?

Texas courts typically presume that both parents are capable of making sound decisions about their child's upbringing. However, there are some situations in which a judge will not make a parent a joint managing conservator. In some cases, one parent acts as the sole managing conservator and has full decision-making authority.

When determining issues related to conservatorship, Texas courts consider factors such as:

• The child’s unique needs

• Each parent’s past involvement in the child’s life

• The parents’ ability to make decisions together that are in the child’s best interests

• The parents’ ability to encourage a good relationship between the child and the other parent

• The child’s preferences regarding custody matters

• How close the parents live to each other

• Whether joint managing conservatorship will benefit the child emotionally and psychologically

Contact Our Houston Child Custody Lawyer

Joint managing conservators make decisions about a child's education, medical care, and other significant matters jointly. This custody arrangement may be right for you if you and the child's other parent are on good terms with each other and can communicate about child-related matters effectively.

If you run into disputes or problems regarding conservatorship or other child custody matters, our Houston family law attorneys can help. Call The Foray Firm at 832-919-6400 for a confidential consultation.

Source:

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.101.htm