Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott filed a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) in Collin County, Texas, in April 2026, seeking joint managing conservatorship of his two daughters, two-year-old MJ and 11-month-old Aurora, after ending his engagement to Sarah Jane Ramos. The filing, which includes a provision prohibiting either parent from removing the children from Texas without written consent, highlights how unmarried parents with substantial assets — Prescott signed a $240 million contract in 2024 — must use the courts to establish parental rights in Texas.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| What happened | Dak Prescott filed a SAPCR seeking joint managing conservatorship of two daughters |
| When | April 2026 |
| Where | Collin County, Texas |
| Who is affected | Unmarried parents in Texas seeking to formalize custody |
| Key statute | Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131 (Joint Managing Conservatorship) |
| Financial context | Prescott's $240 million contract makes child support calculation a major factor |
Unmarried Fathers in Texas Must File to Establish Custody Rights
Texas law treats unmarried fathers differently from married ones. When a married couple has a child, the father is presumed to be the legal parent under Tex. Fam. Code § 160.204. When parents are not married, the father has no automatic right to custody or visitation until paternity is legally established and a court order is in place.
That is exactly why Prescott filed a SAPCR rather than a divorce petition. A SAPCR, governed by Tex. Fam. Code Chapter 153, is the mechanism Texas provides for establishing conservatorship (custody), possession and access (visitation), and child support when the parents are not married. Without this filing, Prescott would have no court-enforceable right to time with MJ and Aurora, regardless of how involved he has been as a father.
The filing was reported by Sports Illustrated and TMZ, confirming that Prescott and Ramos called off their wedding before pursuing formal custody arrangements. Prescott released a statement emphasizing that the couple would co-parent cooperatively.
How Texas Courts Handle Joint Managing Conservatorship
Prescott's filing requests joint managing conservatorship, which is the arrangement Texas courts prefer and presume to be in the best interest of the child under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131. Joint managing conservatorship does not mean equal 50/50 time. It means both parents share decision-making authority over major issues like education, medical care, and religious upbringing.
The actual possession schedule — how many overnights each parent gets — is a separate determination. Texas has a Standard Possession Order (SPO) outlined in Tex. Fam. Code § 153.312, which gives the non-primary parent the first, third, and fifth weekends of each month, Thursday evenings, and extended summer possession totaling roughly 43% of overnights per year. Parents can agree to a modified schedule, and in high-profile cases like this one, custom arrangements are common.
One notable detail in the Prescott filing is the geographic restriction. The court filing reportedly prohibits either parent from moving the children outside Texas without written permission from the other parent. Geographic restrictions are standard in Texas SAPCR orders under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.001, and they serve a specific purpose: preventing one parent from relocating with the children in a way that undermines the other parent's possession schedule. For a professional athlete who splits time between Dallas and offseason locations, this provision carries real practical weight.
Child Support at the $240 Million Level
Texas child support guidelines under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125 cap the calculation at the first $9,200 per month in net resources (as of 2024). For two children, the guideline amount is 25% of net resources up to that cap, producing a baseline of approximately $2,300 per month.
That number is almost certainly not where a Collin County court will land in this case. When a parent's income substantially exceeds the statutory cap, Texas courts have discretion under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.126 to deviate upward based on the proven needs of the children. Courts consider the lifestyle the children would have enjoyed had the family remained intact, the cost of health insurance, educational expenses, extracurricular activities, and housing.
In high-net-worth cases involving professional athletes, child support orders of $15,000 to $50,000 or more per month are not unusual when the obligor earns tens of millions annually. Prescott's $240 million contract, which reportedly includes $231 million in guaranteed money, places this squarely in the category where guideline support is a floor, not a ceiling.
Practical Takeaways for Texas Parents
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Unmarried fathers must take affirmative legal steps to secure custody rights in Texas. Being named on the birth certificate establishes paternity but does not create an enforceable custody order. A SAPCR filing is required to obtain court-ordered conservatorship and possession.
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Joint managing conservatorship is the presumed standard in Texas, but it does not guarantee equal parenting time. The possession schedule is determined separately based on the best interest of the child under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.002.
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Geographic restrictions protect both parents' access to the children. If you anticipate a potential relocation — whether for work, family, or a new relationship — address it in the initial filing rather than trying to modify the order later.
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High-income parents should expect child support calculations that go beyond the statutory cap. Texas courts will look at the children's actual needs and the standard of living both parents can provide when net resources exceed $9,200 per month.
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Filing first is not about gaining an advantage — it is about establishing structure. Prescott's proactive filing signals to the court that he is engaged, organized, and focused on the children's stability. Texas courts notice when a parent takes the initiative to formalize arrangements cooperatively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a SAPCR in Texas?
A Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) is a Texas court filing under Tex. Fam. Code Chapter 153 that establishes conservatorship, possession schedules, and child support for parents who are not married. Approximately 35% of Texas children are born to unmarried parents, making SAPCR filings one of the most common family law actions in the state.
Does joint managing conservatorship mean 50/50 custody in Texas?
No. Joint managing conservatorship under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131 means both parents share decision-making rights, but it does not require equal possession time. The Standard Possession Order gives the non-primary parent roughly 43% of overnights annually, though parents can negotiate expanded or customized schedules.
How is child support calculated when a parent earns millions?
Texas caps guideline child support at 25% of the first $9,200 per month in net resources for two children under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125. When income exceeds that cap, courts use Tex. Fam. Code § 154.126 to order additional support based on the children's proven needs and the family's established lifestyle.
Can a parent move out of Texas with the children after a SAPCR?
Generally no, not without court approval or the other parent's written consent. Texas SAPCR orders routinely include geographic restrictions under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.001 that limit where the children can reside. Violating a geographic restriction can result in contempt of court and modification of the custody order.
Do unmarried fathers have equal custody rights in Texas?
Unmarried fathers in Texas have the same potential custody rights as mothers, but only after establishing paternity and obtaining a court order through a SAPCR filing. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 160.204, paternity can be established through an acknowledgment of paternity or genetic testing. Once paternity is confirmed, Texas courts apply the same best-interest standard to both parents.
If you are navigating a custody matter in Texas, whether as an unmarried parent or through a divorce, having the right attorney matters. Use our Texas attorney directory to find an exclusive family law attorney in your county.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.