When parents live far apart, raising a child together presents challenges, including arranging visits, managing communication, and coordinating child support. A well-prepared long-distance parenting plan Texas families can use should address everything from travel arrangements and school breaks to virtual visitation, phone calls, and weekend visits.
The parenting schedule must also consider the child’s school schedule, school year, and summer vacation, while supporting the child’s well-being and maintaining a healthy bond with the noncustodial parent. Whether you’re the custodial parent or non-custodial parent, clear custody arrangements and a reliable long-distance custody schedule can make a lasting difference.
If you’re dealing with long-distance custody or preparing to move, call the Law Office of Katy M. Lovett at 512-956-5356 or contact us online to discuss your parenting plan options with our experienced Round Rock family law attorney.
What Is a Long-Distance Parenting Plan in Texas?
A long-distance parenting plan in Texas is a type of parenting plan created when the custodial parent and noncustodial parent live a significant distance apart, typically more than 100 miles. These plans outline how parenting time, visitation schedules, travel arrangements, and communication will work to support the child’s well-being despite the geographical separation.
Like all parenting plans in Texas, long-distance plans are governed by state law, specifically Texas Family Code Section 153.313, which addresses long-distance visitation schedules and outlines default options for parenting time when one parent lives more than 100 miles away. The law allows parents to agree on a custom custody schedule or follow the standard version provided by the court. These plans are meant to support the parent-child relationship, even when regular in-person contact isn’t possible.
Why Long-Distance Parenting Plans Are Necessary
Long-distance parenting plans are necessary when a geographical separation makes frequent visits difficult and creates challenges for both parents and children. As work schedules, school demands, and travel logistics become harder to manage, having a reliable plan in place helps avoid confusion and arguments.
A well-structured parenting time schedule takes into account the child’s age, allowing for different approaches based on whether you have very young children, younger children, or teenagers. These plans also make it easier to coordinate holidays, school breaks, and communication between visits, giving both the custodial parent and noncustodial parent the structure they need to support the child’s well-being across the distance.
At the Law Office of Katy M. Lovett, our Round Rock child relocation lawyer can help create a plan that fits your family’s needs while supporting the parent-child relationship across the miles.
Building a Long-Distance Custody Schedule That Works
Creating a long-distance custody schedule that works for both parents and supports the child’s well-being can be challenging without clear guidelines. A well-thought-out plan must balance the child’s school schedule, school breaks, and parenting time in a way that maintains the parent-child relationship, even with a significant distance between homes.
If you’re in the process of creating a long-distance parenting plan, our experienced Round Rock child custody attorney, Katy M. Lovett, can help.
Long Distance Visitation Schedules
When parents live more than 100 miles apart, standard visitation schedules may not be possible. Instead, long-distance custody arrangements will include extended summer break visits, alternating major holidays, and longer stays during spring break and school breaks.
Many parents opt for a week-long visit during the school term or one weekend each month, when feasible. The goal is to allow the noncustodial parent meaningful parenting time without disrupting the child’s school or routine.
Child’s Birthday, Holidays, and Special Occasions
A strong parenting plan should outline how the child will spend birthdays, Christmas vacation, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and other significant dates. These occasions often rotate by odd-numbered years or alternate so both parents get to participate in the child’s life. When travel makes sharing the day difficult, parents might agree to celebrate on the nearest applicable day or connect through video calls.
School and Extracurricular Activities
Even with long-distance custody arrangements, both parents should stay involved in the child’s school life and activities throughout the school year. A strong parenting plan should explain how each parent will receive updates on report cards, school events, and extracurricular activities, especially after summer vacation ends and school resumes. It may also include when the non-custodial parent can attend special events, depending on distance parenting logistics, work schedules, and how far the parents live from one another.
Long Distance Travel Expenses and Arrangements
A good long-distance custody schedule must also outline who pays for travel expenses, how the child’s travel arrangements will be made, and where the drop-off and pickup points will be. This helps reduce last-minute disagreements and keeps things fair. Some parenting plans split travel costs evenly, while others assign costs based on who moved.
Virtual Visitation and Communications with the Other Parent
For long-distance parents, staying in touch between visits is key to maintaining a strong parent-child relationship. A good long-distance parenting plan should include regular phone calls, video calls, and other forms of virtual visitation. This is especially important for very young children, who benefit from frequent contact to stay connected. Setting a schedule for virtual check-ins, whether daily, weekly, or tied to specific events, gives the noncustodial parent consistent involvement in the child’s life.
Decision-Making and Legal Conservatorship
Long-distance parenting plans should also define decision-making authority for issues involving the child’s school, healthcare, and extracurricular activities. Typically, the primary parent holds daily decision-making power, but the noncustodial parent should still be notified about significant developments.
The plan should outline how each parent will be updated through phone calls, emails, or shared documents, and address emergency communication protocols. When the child lives primarily with one parent, clear terms in the visitation schedule and court order help both sides stay informed and involved in the child’s life.
Planning for One Weekend a Month and Week-Long Visits
When parents live more than 100 miles apart, regular weekend visits can be hard to maintain. Many long-distance visitation schedules include one weekend per month for the noncustodial parent, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the child’s school schedule. Some parents may agree to rotate visits so the child spends time with the other parent on the same weekend each month. Flexibility is crucial, especially when considering travel time, work schedules, and the child’s age.
To make up for less frequent contact during the school year, most plans also include longer periods of parenting time, such as week-long visits during spring break or extended time over summer break. These longer visits help maintain a strong parent-child relationship and give the noncustodial parent quality time with their child.
What Texas Courts Consider in Long-Distance Custody Plans
When reviewing long-distance custody arrangements, Texas courts determine which arrangement supports the child’s well-being. Judges look at several factors, including the child’s age, emotional and physical needs, the strength of the parent-child relationship, and how the custody arrangements will affect the child’s school, home life, and extracurricular activities. Courts also consider how parents communicate, the ability to follow a consistent parenting time schedule, and whether the long-distance travel is reasonable.
One of the most common reasons a judge will deny relocation is if the move appears to be motivated by an attempt to limit one parent’s access or if it would harm the child’s ability to maintain regular contact with both parents.
Modifying a Long-Distance Parenting Plan in Texas
Life doesn’t stay the same, and even a carefully drafted long-distance parenting plan may need to change. Whether it’s due to new work schedules, the child’s age and changing needs, or unexpected moves, plans should be flexible enough to adapt to these changes.
In Texas, altering a court-ordered plan requires filing a request for modification of a family law order. Our Round Rock family law order modifications lawyer can help present clear reasons for change, such as a change in school schedule or child support needs, and work through the legal process efficiently.
Tips for Long-Distance Parents to Stay Connected
Staying connected as a long-distance parent requires planning, consistency, and creativity, especially during the school year when in-person time is limited. Regular phone calls, video calls, and shared routines, such as reading bedtime stories or checking in after school, help maintain a strong parent-child relationship. Many parents use shared calendars to track school breaks, activities, and their parenting schedule.
Sending care packages, notes, or celebrating achievements, even from afar, reminds the child that both parents are present in their life. These small efforts can make a big difference in how the child spends their time between visits, especially when the noncustodial parent lives a significant distance away.
Resolving Conflicts With the Other Parent
Conflict can be more difficult to manage when parents live far apart, especially if the long-distance parenting plan doesn’t include clear procedures for communication and changes. One way to reduce confusion is by requiring written notice for any changes to the visitation schedule, including long-distance travel dates, drop-off times, or special events. This keeps both the custodial parent and noncustodial parent informed and helps prevent last-minute disputes.
When disagreements arise, maintaining a focus on the child’s well-being and adhering to the agreed-upon parenting schedule can help parents resolve issues respectfully. If problems continue, the court may allow for a formal review or modification to protect the child’s stability and maintain healthy co-parenting.
How a Round Rock Child Custody Attorney Can Help with Long-Distance Schedules
A successful long-distance parenting plan in Texas often requires a formal, enforceable court order. At the Law Office of Katy M. Lovett, our Round Rock child custody attorney can help you create or revise a plan that clearly outlines the visitation schedule, long-distance travel arrangements, and how each parent’s time is spent with the child.
Whether you’re the custodial parent or the noncustodial parent, Katy M. Lovett can help protect your rights, address concerns about child support, and make sure the parenting plan supports your child’s well-being throughout the school year, summer vacation, and beyond.
Make Long-Distance Parenting Easier With the Law Office of Katy M. Lovett
Parenting from a distance can be emotionally and logistically challenging, but the right long-distance parenting plan can make a meaningful difference for you, the other parent, and your child. Whether you’re preparing for a move or responding to changes in the custody schedule, it’s important to have a clear plan.
If you’re ready to start planning for long-distance child custody arrangements, call the Law Office of Katy M. Lovett at 512-956-5356 or complete our online form to schedule a consultation today.
