Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and fiancée Sarah Jane Ramos canceled their April 10, 2026 Lake Como wedding after a reported altercation at their joint bachelor-bachelorette party in the Bahamas. The couple shares two daughters, Margaret (2) and Aurora (9 months), and now faces custody arrangements under Texas law as unmarried parents, a legal posture that differs significantly from divorce proceedings.
Key Facts
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| What happened | Dak Prescott and Sarah Jane Ramos called off their wedding one month before the ceremony |
| When | Breakup reported March 7, 2026; wedding was scheduled April 10, 2026 |
| Where | Couple resides in Texas (Prescott plays for Dallas Cowboys) |
| Children | Two daughters: Margaret (age 2) and Aurora (9 months) |
| Key legal issue | Custody and support for children of unmarried parents under Texas Family Code |
| Current status | Sarah Jane Ramos appeared publicly with both children on March 18, 2026, stating both parents are committed to co-parenting |
Unmarried Parents Face a Different Legal Framework in Texas
Texas law treats custody between unmarried parents differently than custody in a divorce. When married parents split, both are presumed legal parents from the start. When unmarried parents separate, the father must first establish paternity before any custody order can be entered. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 160.201, paternity can be established voluntarily through an Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) signed at the hospital or later through a court proceeding.
Once paternity is established, Texas courts apply the same "best interest of the child" standard found in Tex. Fam. Code § 153.002 that governs all custody disputes. The court considers factors including each parent's physical and emotional needs of the child, the stability of each home, and each parent's willingness to foster a positive relationship with the other parent.
For a public figure like Prescott, who signed a 4-year, $240 million contract extension with the Cowboys in September 2024, the financial disparity between households becomes one of many factors a court weighs, though Texas courts have consistently held that wealth alone does not determine custody outcomes.
How Texas Handles Custody for Unmarried Couples
Texas uses the term "conservatorship" rather than custody. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131, Texas courts presume that appointing both parents as Joint Managing Conservators (JMC) serves the child's best interest. This presumption applies equally to married and unmarried parents once paternity is established.
Joint Managing Conservatorship in Texas does not mean equal parenting time. One parent is typically designated as the conservator with the exclusive right to determine the children's primary residence. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.134, courts consider the "best interest" factors, including which parent has been the primary caregiver.
With a 9-month-old and a 2-year-old, Texas courts often factor in the young age of children when crafting possession schedules. The Standard Possession Order (SPO) outlined in Tex. Fam. Code § 153.312 is the default for children over 3, but courts routinely modify schedules for infants and toddlers to account for feeding schedules, attachment needs, and developmental stages.
Texas child support follows statutory guidelines under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125. For two children, the guideline amount is 25% of the obligor's net monthly resources, capped at a net resource ceiling of $9,200 per month as of 2024. That means the statutory guideline maximum for two children is approximately $2,300 per month. However, under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.126, courts can order above-guideline support when the obligor's income exceeds the cap, which would apply in the case of a quarterback earning $60 million annually.
The Prenup Question Is Now Irrelevant
Both Prescott and Ramos reportedly denied that prenuptial agreement disputes caused the split. From a legal standpoint, the prenup discussion is now moot. Because the couple never married, there is no marital estate to divide under Texas community property law. Tex. Fam. Code § 3.002 defines community property as property acquired during marriage, which never began here.
Unmarried partners in Texas have no statutory right to property division upon separation. Any real estate, bank accounts, or other assets titled in one partner's name remain that partner's separate property. Joint purchases would be governed by general contract or partnership law rather than the Texas Family Code. This is a critical distinction that affects thousands of Texas couples who separate without marrying.
Practical Takeaways for Texas Parents
-
Establish paternity formally. Texas fathers who are not married to the mother should sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity at the hospital or file a paternity suit under Tex. Fam. Code § 160.201. Without this step, an unmarried father has no legal right to custody or visitation.
-
Request a formal custody order early. Verbal co-parenting agreements are unenforceable in Texas courts. Filing a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) under Tex. Fam. Code § 102.003 creates a binding court order that protects both parents' rights.
-
Expect modified schedules for young children. Texas courts regularly deviate from the Standard Possession Order for children under 3. Parents of infants should propose graduated possession schedules that increase parenting time as the child grows.
-
Understand that high income changes support calculations. The Texas child support guidelines cap at $9,200 per month in net resources (2024 figure). When income exceeds this threshold, courts have discretion to order additional support based on the children's proven needs under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.126.
-
Protect your property interests before marriage. Unmarried partners in Texas have no community property rights. If you share property with a partner, document ownership through written agreements before any separation occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do unmarried fathers in Texas have automatic custody rights?
No. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 160.201, an unmarried father in Texas must establish paternity before gaining any custodial rights. This can be done voluntarily through an Acknowledgment of Paternity or through a court-ordered DNA test, which takes approximately 4 to 8 weeks to complete.
How much child support would a high-earning parent pay in Texas for two children?
Texas guidelines set support at 25% of net resources for two children under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125, with a statutory cap at $9,200 monthly net resources (approximately $2,300/month). For parents earning above this cap, courts can order additional support under Section 154.126 based on the children's actual needs and lifestyle.
Can an unmarried mother move out of Texas with the children?
Texas courts can restrict a child's residence to a specific geographic area once a custody order is in place. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.001, the court's primary concern is the best interest of the child. Without a court order, either unmarried parent can technically relocate, which is why establishing a formal custody order quickly is essential.
Does calling off a wedding affect property rights in Texas?
Calling off a wedding has no impact on property rights under Texas law because community property protections under Tex. Fam. Code § 3.002 only apply to married couples. Unmarried partners retain ownership of assets titled in their individual names, regardless of the length of the relationship.
How long does a Texas custody case take for unmarried parents?
A Texas SAPCR case for unmarried parents typically takes 3 to 9 months to resolve if uncontested. Contested cases with significant assets or parenting disputes can extend 12 to 18 months. Courts prioritize cases involving children under 3, and temporary orders under Tex. Fam. Code § 105.001 can be entered within 2 to 4 weeks of filing.
The Prescott-Ramos situation highlights a legal reality that applies to approximately 40% of U.S. births occurring outside marriage (CDC, 2023). Unmarried parents in Texas who separate face the same custody questions as divorcing couples but start from a different legal baseline. Formalizing paternity and custody arrangements through the courts protects both parents and, most importantly, their children.
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.