Your Rights as a Parent in Texas

In Texas, both parents have rights and responsibilities in regard to their children. Some of these rights apply to both parents, while other rights are granted based on the custody agreement. Texas Legal Attorney Stacy Dickson explains, “The ultimate goal for the courts is to provide what is best for the child.” Stacy Dickson spoke with Texas Legal Members about custody, parental rights, and child support.

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Right to Information

In a joint managing conservatorship, both parents hold the right to information. “At all times both parents have the right to certain types of information about their child,” said Dickson.

• School – How school is going, if there are any problems, and where the child goes to school
• Doctor/health – If there are any health concerns, who their doctor is

Primary Holder Rights

The primary parent is the parent that has majority custody. This parent has the right to make key decisions for the child. “If and when things turn bad, you want one person with the superior right to make a decision so things can move forward,” Dickson explained.

“Beds, Meds, and Eds”

The final decision on housing, healthcare, and education is made by the primary parent.

• Beds – Where they live the majority of the time
• Meds – What kind of invasive medical or psych treatments can they undergo
• Eds – What school will they go to

Child Support

The primary parent is entitled to child support payments from the other parent. Texas uses a formula to calculate these payments. “If someone is not paying their child support, the chances are greater of that child needing to use public assistance. Which is not in the best interest of Texas,” said Dickson. The online calculator can be found on the Texas Attorney General’s website.

Additionally, one parent is required to provide health and dental insurance for the child. “The State of Texas has a very strong desire that the children which live in the state are properly cared for and have sufficient resources, paid for by their parents,” Dickson explained.

Right to Involvement

Both parents have the right to be involved in their child’s life. When your child is in your custody or possession, you have the right to take them to the doctor and the right to take them to church. Ultimately, the courts want what is best for the child.

Family Law Benefits with Texas Legal

As a member of Texas Legal, your Family Law benefit includes representation* for custody agreements and/or modifications. This is in addition to divorce, protective orders, and adoptions that also fall under Family Law. The average rate of these services without a Texas Legal Membership is $279 per hour in Texas. Make sure you are getting the most out of your benefits with Texas Legal by reviewing your plan’s benefits!

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*The Family Law benefit under the Secure and Preferred Plan covers participating attorneys’ billable time (up to 15 hours if uncontested) for modification, enforcement, or establishment of Family Law orders (OR up to 20 hours if contested). Please reference plan documents for other Family Law benefits limits. NOTE: all divorce, custody, and modification benefits cover the primary policyholder only. For more details regarding your specific plan and available benefits, please contact Texas Legal at 1-800-252-9346 or members@texaslegal.org.