What is the Standard Child Custody Agreement? 

In the event that you are separating from a spouse, it is a good idea to take note of what is the standard child custody agreement for your area. This will help you decide what is the best custody plan for your child. If you are unsure, consult a skilled family law attorney. 

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The standard child custody agreement is a court order that is designed to protect the best interests of a child. It is a legal document that sets out the schedule for weekdays, weekends, and holidays. These provisions can be modified or changed to meet individual needs. 

One example is a 3-4-4-3 schedule. In this case, the child will spend three days with one parent, four days with the other, and then three days with the custodial parent. Although this may seem like a lot, it is a reasonable amount of time. 

Another example is a 2-2-5 plan. Under this arrangement, the child will spend two weeks with each parent in the summer. Both parents will be involved in the decision making process. However, the child is not guaranteed to be present during the entire visitation. 

For parents who have a long-distance relationship, they can also opt for a broader range of visitation. Many families make arrangements to have longer vacations during the summer, which will extend the period of time that the child spends with each parent. 

One of the most popular types of child custody agreements is joint custody. Usually, joint custody involves the child living between the two parents’ homes. Each parent has some authority to make important decisions for the child, such as deciding whether the child should attend school or participate in extracurricular activities. 

A similar type of child custody arrangement is joint physical custody. Unlike joint legal custody, which requires the child to live with both parents, this type of custody involves the child living between the homes of the parents. 

Another type of child custody arrangement is a joint managing conservatorship. Joint managing conservatorship allows both parents to make some of the major life decisions for the child, including deciding which doctor to use for medical care. Moreover, both parents have the right to participate in the child’s after-school and extracurricular activities. 

As you can see, there are many ways to create the ideal child custody plan. When discussing the details of the parenting plan with your ex, be sure to keep it a conversation. Be honest about what you have and what you are willing to compromise. Similarly, be honest about the other parent’s strengths and weaknesses. 

Although it may be tempting to ignore the standard child custody agreement in favor of a more personalized arrangement, it is important to remember that the court has the final say. This means that the child’s safety must be paramount. Therefore, parents must take steps to ensure the child’s well-being. 

You can find more detailed information on the standard child custody agreement in Texas Family Code SS 153.