Parenting decisions Texas couples face before a divorce is finalized
Divorce parenting decisions couples have to face before a divorce is finalized are deciding who handles day-to-day parenting and choosing a temporary possession and visitation schedule. They also have to make decisions about school, healthcare, and activities, and create a parenting plan that works long-term.
According to Bowling Green State University (BGSU), in the last decade, the share of recently divorced adults with minor children in the household was around 40%. It’s evident that adults aren’t the only ones affected by their separations, and they must take care to ensure that divorce parenting goes smoothly.
These are the steps that Texas parents have to take before the divorce is finalized.
Deciding Who Handles Day-to-Day Parenting
The first step to Texas divorce guidance is figuring out parenting strategies, and to do this, you have to establish how everyday responsibilities will be handled. This can include:
- Where the child stays
- Who handles school drop-offs
- Who attends medical appointments
- How parents communicate about important decisions
Couples should try to create practical arrangements that maintain consistency for the child rather than treat temporary schedules as leverage in the divorce.
Do They Have to Choose a Temporary Possession and Visitation Schedule?
Considering that half of Texas divorces involve children, temporary possession and visitation schedules matter immensely for co-parenting in Texas. Texas law generally emphasizes frequent and continuing contact with parents who can act in the child’s best interest, while also prioritizing a safe, stable, and non-violent environment.
A temporary schedule might address:
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Holidays
- Transportation
- Exchanges
Parents should consider the child’s age, as well as their school commitments, extracurricular activities, and the distance between households when developing a schedule. If they can’t agree, then the court can establish temporary arrangements.
Making Decisions About School, Healthcare, and Activities
In the divorce settlement, parents may also need to decide how they’ll share responsibility for major choices affecting their children. Couples may need to establish how they’ll communicate about:
- Medical treatment
- School enrollment
- Extracurricular activities
- Counseling
Creating clear communication expectations before the divorce is finalized can reduce misunderstandings. Parents should also keep their children’s needs at the center of these decisions instead of allowing disagreements from the marriage to dictate parenting choices.
How Can They Create a Parenting Plan That Works Long-Term?
A final Texas order generally must include a parenting plan, and this can address:
- Conservatorship
- Possession and access
- Child support
Couples who can reach an agreement may develop their own written parenting plan, as long as the court determines that it serves the child’s best interest. They can also seek family law advice to write such a document.
Parents need to think beyond the immediate divorce, too. They should consider how the arrangement will work as their children grow and circumstances change. Texas courts may later modify conservatorship or possession orders when statutory requirements are met.
Divorce Parenting Can Go Smoothly
When couples can sit down and discuss things amicably, divorce parenting can go smoothly. The important thing is to keep the children’s best interests in mind and to keep personal disputes out of the discussions.
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