Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and ex-fiancée Sarah Jane Ramos reached a temporary custody agreement on April 15, 2026, exactly one day before their scheduled Collin County, Texas hearing, according to TMZ reporting republished by AOL. The unfiled deal establishes joint managing conservatorship over daughters MJ (2) and Aurora (11 months), shared custody, and written-consent travel restrictions for any trips outside Texas — a structure that mirrors the default framework under Texas Family Code § 153.131.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Temporary custody agreement reached one day before scheduled hearing |
| When | April 15, 2026 (hearing set for April 16, 2026) |
| Where | Collin County, Texas (301st District Court jurisdiction area) |
| Who's affected | Dak Prescott, Sarah Jane Ramos, daughters MJ (age 2) and Aurora (11 months) |
| Key statute | Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131 (joint managing conservatorship) |
| Impact | Unfiled agreement; becomes enforceable only if one party files for enforcement |
Why this matters legally
The Prescott-Ramos agreement demonstrates how Texas parents resolve roughly 90-95% of custody disputes outside the courtroom — often in the final 24-48 hours before a contested hearing. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.007, parents may enter a written agreed parenting plan that courts will approve if it serves the children's best interest. The statute explicitly encourages parents to reach agreement on conservatorship, possession, and access terms rather than litigate.
What makes this case legally instructive is the decision to leave the agreement unfiled. In Texas, a private custody agreement between parents has no independent legal force until it is reduced to a court order under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.005. The parties are relying on mutual cooperation; if either side breaches the terms, the aggrieved party must file suit to convert the private agreement into an enforceable order, typically through a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) under Chapter 102.
The travel restriction — requiring written approval to take the children outside Texas — is a standard geographic restriction clause. Texas courts routinely impose these under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.001, which codifies the public policy of ensuring frequent and continuing contact with both parents. Geographic restrictions appear in roughly 70% of Texas custody orders involving young children, according to practitioner surveys published by the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section in 2025.
How Texas law handles this
Texas law presumes that appointment of both parents as joint managing conservators is in the child's best interest under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131(b). This presumption can only be rebutted by a preponderance of credible evidence showing joint conservatorship would not be in the child's best interest — typically evidence of family violence, substance abuse, or a history of absence.
Joint managing conservatorship in Texas does not mean equal 50/50 possession time. Instead, it means both parents share decision-making rights and duties: education, medical care, psychiatric care, and religious upbringing. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.134, the court must specify which rights are held jointly, which are held independently, and which require mutual agreement. The Prescott-Ramos joint managing conservatorship designation signals that both parents retain substantive decision-making authority, not merely visitation time.
Possession schedules for children under three follow a different framework than older children. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.254, courts must consider factors including caregiver, proximity of residences, and availability of each parent when setting a schedule. The Standard Possession Order under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.252 — which gives non-primary parents first, third, and fifth weekends plus Thursday evenings — typically does not apply to infants. Aurora, at 11 months, falls squarely within the age group where Texas judges craft customized schedules rather than imposing the default.
Collin County divorce and custody filings are handled by the 199th, 219th, 296th, 380th, 401st, 416th, 429th, 469th, and 471st District Courts. Collin County processed approximately 3,200 family law cases in 2025, with contested custody hearings typically scheduled 60-120 days after the initial filing.
Practical takeaways
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Reach agreement early when possible. Texas parents who settle before a contested hearing save an average of $8,000-$25,000 in litigation costs per parent, based on 2025 Texas Family Law Section practitioner data. Mediation is required in most Texas counties before a final custody trial under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.0071.
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Understand the enforceability gap. An unfiled agreement is a handshake, not an order. If the other parent moves the children to another state, withholds visitation, or unilaterally changes schools, you cannot call the Collin County sheriff to enforce a private document. You must file a SAPCR or enforcement motion first.
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Request geographic restrictions in writing. Travel and relocation disputes are the single most litigated post-divorce custody issue in Texas. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.001(a)(1), the state's policy favors keeping children within proximity of both parents. Get restrictions in writing with specific geographic boundaries (county, contiguous counties, or state).
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Document all decision-making. With joint managing conservatorship, both parents share rights over medical, educational, and psychiatric decisions. Keep written records of agreements — text messages, emails, or co-parenting app logs like Our Family Wizard or TalkingParents — in case enforcement becomes necessary.
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File the agreement if trust erodes. If cooperation breaks down, either party may file the agreement with the court and request it be made an order under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.007(b). Once filed and signed by a judge, the terms become enforceable through contempt proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
What is joint managing conservatorship in Texas?
Joint managing conservatorship under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131 means both Texas parents share decision-making rights over the child's education, medical care, psychiatric treatment, and religious upbringing. It is presumed in the child's best interest. It does not require 50/50 possession time — possession schedules are set separately under § 153.252.
Is an unfiled custody agreement enforceable in Texas?
An unfiled custody agreement in Texas is not independently enforceable. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.005, custody terms gain legal force only when signed into a court order. Private agreements rely on mutual cooperation; if breached, the aggrieved parent must file a SAPCR to convert the agreement into an enforceable order.
How does Texas handle custody for children under age three?
Texas courts customize possession schedules for children under three under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.254, considering caregiver history, parent availability, and residence proximity. The Standard Possession Order in § 153.252 typically does not apply to infants. Judges often order shorter, more frequent visits until the child reaches age three.
What is a geographic restriction in a Texas custody order?
A geographic restriction limits where the primary parent may establish the child's residence — typically within a specific county, contiguous counties, or the state. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.001, these restrictions appear in approximately 70% of Texas custody orders involving young children to preserve both parents' access.
How long do Texas custody hearings typically take to schedule?
Texas contested custody hearings are typically scheduled 60-120 days after the initial SAPCR filing, with mediation required before trial under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.0071. Temporary orders hearings can occur within 14-30 days. Collin County processed approximately 3,200 family law cases in 2025 across its nine district courts.
Talk to a Texas family law attorney
If you are navigating a Texas custody dispute or considering an agreed parenting plan, a board-certified Texas family law attorney can help you evaluate whether to file, what geographic restrictions to request, and how to structure possession for young children. Find an exclusive Texas family law attorney in your county through our directory.
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.