The State of Texas encourages people to share joint legal custody of children if possible. Having joint custody doesn't necessary mean that child support will not be paid, it just simply means that both parents would take part in the responsibilities for raising the child(ren). In a joint custody matter one of the parent is named the 'primary' joint custodian and the other parent is granted visitation at the times in which the parents agree on. The primary joint custodian retains the decision making authority that determines the child's primary residence and where the child(ren) go to school and other things like who the child(ren) physician should be.

If there is no agreement on visitation by the parents, the Standard Visitation Schedule provides both parents a good way to spend quality time with their child(ren). The Standard Visitation Schedule includes visitations for the non-custodial parent to visit with their child(ren) every other weekend, summer visitation (which last from 4-6 weeks) and alternating holidays.

If you and your spouse are agreeing to the terms of your divorce, but feel the Texas Standard Visitation Schedule is unworkable. You and your spouse can set your own agreed Visitation Schedule that works for both parents, but Please Note: We do not provide documents for individuals seeking sole custody of the child(ren).