As we set our sights on the upcoming school year, we know that most families are juggling back to school shopping, schedule changes, and open house nights. But for families with divorced parents or those going through a separation, there’s a whole other layer of complexity: navigating back-to-school logistics from two different households.

Living between two households brings its own set of questions, like “Who chooses the school?” or “Who communicates with the teachers?”. These questions can feel big but often have simple answers depending on your legal custody arrangement. We’ve had the pleasure of working with families in Frisco, Plano, McKinney, and across the Dallas metro-plex to craft custody plans that work for them. This blog will serve as a resource for families who would like to understand custody arrangements more clearly.  

In Texas, “custody” is legally referred to as conservatorship, which lays out the rights and duties parents have concerning their children. Most parents are assigned either Joint Managing Conservatorship (JMC) or Sole Managing Conservatorship (SMC). These should not be viewed as rankings of parenting skills – they are legal terms with frameworks that establish how decisions are made and how parental responsibilities are shared.

Taking the time to understand the difference between these two types of conservatorships — and how they come into play during the busy school year — can provide stability and success for children, even across two homes. Clarity brings comfort in the form of a strong custody agreement that allows our children to focus on thriving during their school-age years.

What Do “Joint” and “Sole” Custody Really Mean in Texas?

The Texas Family Code §153.131, presumes that appointing both parents as Joint Managing Conservators is in the best interest of the child. Texas Courts usually aim to give both parents decision-making rights unless there’s substantial and compelling evidence to sway the Court from that path.

While both arrangements are put in place to serve the best interests of the child, they differ primarily in how much input each parent has in decision-making and potentially the time they spend with their children. Although both parents may not have the right to make certain decisions, with either of these, both parents can still play a vital role in the lives of their children, including their education.

Joint Managing Conservatorship (JMC)

In this arrangement, both parents share certain rights, responsibilities, and decision-making involved in raising the child. These include decisions related to education, medical care, and moral or religious upbringing. It does not necessarily mean equal parenting time, but it does mean some shared decision-making. As for possession time, the Texas Family Code sets out a default parenting schedule that is presumed to be in the child’s best interest, although parents can develop and agree their own schedule that may work better for their family. You can find a sample of a possession calendar here.  

Sole Managing Conservatorship (SMC)

In this case, one parent is given the exclusive right to make major decisions, including where the child lives, where they go to school, invasive medical decisions, educational decisions, decisions about psychiatric and psychological treatment for the child, etc. The other may have reduced visitation (as a Possessory Conservator), or in some cases supervised visitation. This usually applies in cases involving family violence, neglect, absence, substance abuse, or high conflict that makes cooperation problematic or impossible.

How School Decisions Are Handled in Joint vs. Sole Custody

During the child’s school year, several important decisions arise:

• Where will the child go to school? (Which district? Public versus private?)
• Who gets access to school records?
• Who attends parent-teacher conferences, school events?
• Can only one parent make decisions about special education services or tutoring?

In Joint Managing Conservatorship, both parents usually share the right to:

• Access education records (Texas Family Code §153.073(a)(1))
• Confer with school officials (TFC §153.073(a)(3))
• Be designated as emergency contacts (TFC §153.073(a)(2))

However, the Court is still able assign exclusive rights — such as the exclusive right to determine the child’s residence or make educational decisions — to one parent if it deems it necessary. These exceptions are spelled out in the parenting plan and final Court Order.

In Sole Managing Conservatorship, the sole managing conservator typically has the exclusive right to:

• Make all educational decisions
• Enroll the child in any school
• Approve interventions

This centralized authority can make school decisions simpler, but it also means the other parent may have limited or no involvement in decisions about academic life. This does not mean the non-decision-making parent is excluded from other duties and enjoyment surrounding their child’s academic life. Both parents can still have the opportunity to nurture their children into adulthood, holding different roles in that process.

Backpacks, Buses, and Bedtimes — The Day-to-Day Challenge of Two Homes

Beyond legal authority, parents must also juggle the daily logistics of co-parenting. Who handles drop-offs? Who enrolls the kid extracurriculars? What happens when the child forgets a textbook at the other parent’s house? Who buys the school supplies?

These types of details aren’t always spelled out in legal Orders. Real life happens, and having a good relationship with your co-parent can make the difference between peace and chaos. Being reasonable and flexible are the keys. Document any agreements regarding the details in writing so expectations are clear. And keep the child the center focus, ensuring both parents are making decisions that will minimize stress on the child and provide nurturing support. Check out our blog here for some helpful co-parenting tips!

In joint arrangements, cooperation is key. Many of our clients in Dallas, Frisco, and Plano use shared calendars (like OurFamilyWizard or Google Calendar) to track school schedules, extracurricular activities, and assignments. Some alternate the responsibilities weekly, some alternate pick up/drop off, others take care of everything during their possession time. At some point, you will need flexibility, so it’s a good idea to be flexible when the other parents asks for flexibility from you; don’t burn bridges you may need to cross later. The focus should remain on the child and their needs, ensuring they feel stable and supported, not stressed and pulled in two different directions.

In sole conservatorship, consistency can be easier — however the non-custodial parent still has the right to be informed and involved (unless restricted by the Court). Clear communication and respect for the child’s needs should be the focus, and can go a long way in creating a healthy home life for the child across the board.

In both conservatorships, agreements can be made between the parties that differ from the Court Order; just make sure it’s in writing, with both parties confirming. For instance, if swapping possession at 5:00 p.m. is easier than the 6:00 p.m. outlined in the Court Order, the parties can agree to that. If significant changes are desired, it’s best to ask the Court to enter a modified Order so everything is clear; in this case, presenting an agreed modified Order to the Court would be recommended.

What Texas Courts Consider When Awarding Custody

Texas Courts base conservatorship decisions on what’s in the best interest of the child — a principle outlined in Texas Family Code §153.002. Key considerations include:

• The child’s physical and emotional needs
• Each parent’s ability to provide consistent stability
• History of caregiving and involvement in the child’s activities and medical care
• Ability of parents to communicate and effectively co-parent
• Any history of physical or verbal abuse, neglect, or substance abuse

Texas Courts do not default to one parent based on gender or income. In our experience, often a parent who is willing to cooperate and put the child’s needs first can weigh more heavily than their earnings or work schedule.

When Joint Isn’t an Option — And What That Means

While joint conservatorship is presumed and preferred, it’s not always possible — or safe for the child.

Sole conservatorship may be deemed appropriate by the Court when:

• One parent has a history of family violence or substance abuse
• Communication between parents has been proven to be highly conflictual or harmful to the child’s welfare
• One parent has been absent or completely uninvolved in the child’s life

In these cases, the Court may decide to limit one parent’s decision-making rights, as well as parenting time, to protect the child’s overall welfare. However, even in sole conservatorship, Texas Courts encourage both parents to maintain a relationship with the child when safe and appropriate. Involvement from both parents can be a great contributor to the overall happiness of your children if both parents remain focused on what’s best for the child.

Building a Back-to-School Parenting Plan That Works for Everyone, Including Your Child

Whether you have a joint or sole conservatorship, having a clear, collaborative, and detailed parenting plan can make all the difference during the school year. Being on ethe same page, and the same calendar, can encourage collaboration and diminish conflict between both parents. A well-structured plan should outline:

• School night routines (including bedtimes)
• Who attends school events (ideally both parents if possible)
• Homework expectations (both parents should participate)
• Communication with teachers (both parents should be included if possible)
• Emergency protocols (both parents should be emergency contacts if possible)
• Transportation and extracurricular schedules (both parents should ideally share responsibilities)
• Ensuring the child attends school activities

When a solid parenting plan can outline shared expectations, it’s important to remember that one parent cannot dictate what the other parent should do on their own possession time. For example, while consistent bedtimes are important, at the end of the day its up to each parent what bedtime they will enforce. The same applies to diet, timing of homework, access to technology, etc. The phrase “choose your battles” is appropriate here; focus on what is truly needed for the child’s core development and care.

Collaborative divorce — an alternative to Court-based divorce — is often ideal for designing these types of cooperative family-specific plans. Both parents come to the table with the support of professionals to design crafted arrangements that actually work in real life. At Hargrave Family Law, our team of Dallas divorce lawyers strongly believe in the collaborative method, as it gives our clients more freedom to meet unique family needs, and can set the family up for long term success, and do so on their own terms.

School Success Starts at Home — Both Homes

Whether your family operates under joint or sole conservatorship, the ultimate goal for everyone should be the same: to raise confident, emotionally secure children who thrive, and children who feel supported by both parents. Although challenging, the busy back-to-school season is ripe with opportunity to let your child know both parents are there to provide love and support.

There’s no true one-size-fits-all custody solution, as each family is unique. The right fit depends on your child’s needs, your own family dynamic, and your ability to work as co-parents to support your child with peace and intention.

At Hargrave Family Law, we support parents in Dallas, McKinney, Frisco Plano and beyond, helping them navigate custody with clarity, compassion, and strategic legal insight. Our experienced team of Dallas divorce attorneys is here to help you craft parenting plans that support school-year success while protecting what matters most – your child’s ability to flourish.

Need Some Custody Clarity Before the School Year Heats Up?

Reach out to Hargrave Family Law at 214-416-9433 or visit hargravefamilylaw.com/ to schedule your confidential consultation with one of our trusted Dallas divorce and attorneys. Let’s work together to create a detailed plan that helps your kids thrive — no matter which home they are in.

Dallas Child Custody Attorney, Jennifer Hargrave

Related Blogs:

• Navigating Primary Custody in Texas
• Guide to Texas Child Custody Evaluations
• How to Prepare for a Custody Hearing
• Child Custody When One Parent Moves Out of State
• High-Conflict Co-Parenting: Tools to Lower the Temperature
• Texas Child Support: Navigating Complex Situations
• Children of Divorce: Attorney Advice for Parents
• 2025 Texas Standard Possession Calendar
• Find a Dallas Child Custody Lawyer