“Child custody” in Texas is conservatorship and possession. Here’s what influences the plan a judge will sign. At The Gulley Law Firm, LLC (www.gulleylawgroup.com), we sit down with Sugar Land parents every week who just want to know what’s realistic. The truth is, Texas has a clear framework—but judges still have leeway to shape the final order.
Managing vs possessory conservatorship explained
In most cases, judges appoint both parents as joint managing conservators, which means both share important rights like medical decisions and access to school records. Still, one parent usually has the right to determine the child’s primary residence. The other parent is typically named a possessory conservator, with clear visitation rights but fewer decision-making powers.
It doesn’t mean one parent is “less than.” Courts here in Fort Bend look for a balance that serves the child’s best interest, not a perfect 50/50 split of authority.
Standard vs Expanded Standard Possession Order
Texas recently broadened options for noncustodial parents who live within 50 miles of the child. The Standard Possession Order is still the default, with alternating weekends and a Thursday evening. But under the expanded election option, the noncustodial parent can pick up from school on Fridays and return on Mondays—giving longer, uninterrupted time.
In Sugar Land, parents often ask how this fits with Fort Bend ISD schedules. Judges pay close attention to school start times and traffic on Highway 6. A 3:00 p.m. pickup from Commonwealth Elementary is different from a 4:00 p.m. pickup at Austin High. The details matter.
School schedules, exchanges, and holiday rotations that work
Judges expect realistic exchanges. Orders often specify drop-offs at the child’s school instead of one parent’s house, to avoid conflict. Holidays rotate—Thanksgiving one year with one parent, the next with the other. Christmas usually splits into two parts.
We’ve found it helps to literally print out the school calendar and mark the handoff dates. In Sugar Land, that often means syncing around early-release Fridays or STAAR testing days. Judges like when parents show they’ve thought it through.
Modifying orders when life changes
Orders aren’t set in stone. If one parent moves, if work schedules shift, or if a child’s needs change, a modification may be possible. The legal test is whether there’s been a material and substantial change.
At The Gulley Law Firm, LLC (www.gulleylawgroup.com), we’ve handled modifications triggered by a parent’s new night-shift job, a move to a different school zone, or even a teenager requesting more time with one parent.
Co-parenting tools the courts like to see
Judges know conflict won’t vanish once the ink dries. That’s why they appreciate when parents use co-parenting apps or shared calendars. Tools like OurFamilyWizard or simple Google Calendars can reduce disputes over missed pickups or unclear holiday schedules.
In Fort Bend County, judges sometimes even write these apps into the final order. It signals you’re serious about making the plan work.
Local angle: Sugar Land realities
Custody in Sugar Land comes with its own quirks. Commutes from Riverstone or Telfair to downtown Houston can eat up hours. Judges take into account whether an exchange plan fits around real traffic patterns, not just what looks neat on paper. And since most orders tie into Fort Bend ISD calendars, having those printed out during a hearing can show you’re prepared.
Taking the next step
Custody cases aren’t about winning or losing—they’re about setting up a plan that actually works day to day. At The Gulley Law Firm, LLC (www.gulleylawgroup.com), we offer a custody plan workshop where parents can build a schedule that fits school, work, and real life. Sometimes, showing up with a practical plan is what persuades a judge most.