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Custody Arrangements in a Texas Divorce
What if we agree about custody and visitation?
If you and the other parent have already
come to a fair agreement on the custody and visitation issue, you may want to
write your own "stipulation" and consent order. A
"stipulation" is a statement describing the agreement that you have
reached. A consent order is a draft for the judge to sign if s/he agrees to
accept your agreement. this means that the court can enforce the agreement in
the future.
If you choose to go this route, you and the other
parent should be as specific as you can to avoid future conflicts. You should
ask yourself, who has legal custody? Which holiday does the child spend with
you? What time and where may the other parent pick the child up? What time
should the child be returned home? What is the procedure to follow if either of
you are running late and won't be there on time? How much notice should you be
given if they are planning a vacation? How far away may the other spouse move?
What you might think you can figure out as you go along could actually blow up
into a full scale war later. The Stipulations should state everything
that you have agreed upon. You should not rely on any oral promises. If
you both agreed on it, write it down (no matter how trivial it may seem now).
Technology offers some innovative and creative
ways for parents separated from their children to connect. "Virtual"
visitation is coming to be recognized by the courts as a potentially
important way to supplement in-person visits.
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