Not legal advice — but the basics every DFW parent should understand.
Texas custody terminology:
- Texas uses "conservatorship" not "custody." Source: Texas Family Code Chapter 153.
- Joint Managing Conservators (JMC) — both parents share rights and duties. This is the default in Texas.
- Sole Managing Conservator (SMC) — one parent has primary decision-making. Courts rarely grant this without evidence of danger.
- Possessory Conservator — the parent who has visitation rights.
Standard Possession Order (SPO):
- The default visitation schedule in Texas. Source: TX Family Code 153.312.
- Non-custodial parent gets: 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends, Thursday evenings, alternating holidays, 30 days in summer.
- This is the MINIMUM. Parents can agree to more.
Child support:
- Texas guidelines: 20% of net income for 1 child, 25% for 2, 30% for 3. Source: TX Family Code 154.125.
- Attorney General calculator: texasattorneygeneral.gov/child-support
- Maximum monthly net resources subject to guidelines: $9,200/month (2026).
Key things to know:
- Texas presumes JMC (joint) is in the child's best interest. Source: TX Family Code 153.131.
- Either parent can relocate within Texas, but 60-day notice is required for the other parent.
- Modification of custody requires a "material and substantial change in circumstances."
Free/low-cost legal help in DFW:
- Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas — (888) 529-5277. Source: lanwt.org
- Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program — free consultations for qualifying residents. Source: dallasbar.org/dvap
- Tarrant County Bar Association LRS — $20 referral fee for initial consultation. Source: tarrantbar.org
Sources:
- Texas Family Code (statutes.capitol.texas.gov)
- Texas Attorney General — child support division
- Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas
This is informational only. Consult a family law attorney for your specific situation.
What do you think?
The AG child support calculator is useful but doesn't account for everything. Medical insurance, daycare costs, and special needs expenses are calculated separately.