Custody

In Texas, custody is called “conservatorship.” Conservatorship is used to describe the legal rights and responsibilities of a parent. A judge may give conservatorship to one or both parents. A judge can grant:

• sole managing conservatorship
• joint managing conservatorship
• possessory conservatorship.¹

Generally, conservatorship (custody) includes the right to:

• get information from the other parent or another conservator of the child about the health, education, and welfare of the child;
• confer with the other parent, if possible, before making a decision concerning the health, education, and welfare of the child;
• have access to medical, dental, psychological, and educational records of the child;
• talk to a physician, dentist, or psychologist about the child;
• attend school activities, including school lunches, performances, and field trips;
• talk to school officials concerning the child’s welfare and educational status, including school activities;
• be listed on the child’s records as a person to be notified in case of an emergency;
• consent to medical, dental, and surgical treatment during an emergency involving an immediate danger to the health and safety of the child; and
• manage the estate of the child.²

¹ Tex. Fam. Code § 153.005(a)
² Tex. Fam. Code § 153.073(a)