On April 16, 2026, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and ex-fiancée Sarah Jane Ramos reached an informal temporary custody settlement over daughters MJ (age 2) and Aurora (11 months) before a scheduled hearing in Collin County, Texas, after Prescott filed a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) requesting joint managing conservator status, as reported by TMZ. The case illustrates how Texas parents — even high-profile unmarried couples — can resolve conservatorship without a contested trial.
Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| What happened | Informal temporary custody settlement reached before hearing |
| When | Filed early April 2026; settled April 16, 2026 |
| Where | Collin County District Court, Texas |
| Who's affected | Dak Prescott, Sarah Jane Ramos, daughters MJ (2) and Aurora (11 months) |
| Filing type | Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) |
| Key statute | Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131 (Joint Managing Conservatorship) |
| Practical impact | Both parents share rights, duties, and decision-making authority |
Why This Matters Legally
The Prescott-Ramos resolution confirms that Texas courts strongly favor joint managing conservatorship (JMC) for fit parents, even when the parents were never married. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131(b), there is a rebuttable presumption that appointing both parents as joint managing conservators is in the child's best interest. That presumption applies to unmarried parents in a SAPCR the same way it applies to married couples in a divorce.
Because Prescott and Ramos never married, this case proceeded as a SAPCR rather than a divorce, filed under Tex. Fam. Code § 102.003. Texas does not recognize common-law marriage automatically — it requires agreement to be married, cohabitation, and representation to others as married under Tex. Fam. Code § 2.401. By filing a SAPCR, Prescott signaled the couple was not asserting informal marriage, which keeps property division separate from the conservatorship dispute.
The informal settlement matters because Texas courts routinely approve negotiated agreements when parents reach them voluntarily. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.007, a written agreed parenting plan is binding on the court unless the judge finds it is not in the child's best interest. This saves time, legal fees, and — critically for a public figure — keeps sensitive details out of a contested evidentiary hearing.
How Texas Law Handles Joint Managing Conservatorship
Joint managing conservatorship in Texas is not a 50/50 possession schedule — it is shared decision-making. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.071, joint managing conservators share rights and duties such as consenting to medical, dental, and psychiatric treatment, making educational decisions, and receiving information about the child. The court still designates one parent with the exclusive right to determine the child's primary residence, usually with a geographic restriction (often Collin County and contiguous counties).
Possession and access — the actual time each parent has the children — is governed separately by the Standard Possession Order under Tex. Fam. Code §§ 153.311–153.317. For children under 3 years old, which applies to both MJ and Aurora, courts apply Tex. Fam. Code § 153.254, which allows a custom schedule considering the caregiving history, the child's need for continuity, and the minimization of disruption. Standard Possession does not automatically apply to children under 3.
Temporary orders, like the one Prescott and Ramos just negotiated, are governed by Tex. Fam. Code § 105.001. These orders stay in effect until final orders are entered, which in a SAPCR can take 6 to 12 months depending on the county docket. Collin County, where this case sits, typically schedules final hearings 4 to 8 months after filing when both parties cooperate.
Child support will be calculated under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125 using statutory guidelines — 20% of net monthly resources for one child, 25% for two — though the cap on net resources (currently $9,200/month as of the September 2025 adjustment) means high earners like Prescott negotiate above-guideline support separately. His 2024 four-year, $240 million contract with the Cowboys places him far above the cap.
Practical Takeaways for Texas Parents
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File the right case type. Unmarried parents need a SAPCR under Tex. Fam. Code Chapter 102, not a divorce. Filing the wrong petition wastes weeks and filing fees ($300–$400 in most Texas counties).
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Negotiate temporary orders early. Most Texas counties require mediation before a contested temporary orders hearing. Reaching an informal agreement — as Prescott and Ramos did on April 16, 2026 — avoids a 2–4 hour evidentiary hearing.
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Customize schedules for children under 3. Do not default to the Standard Possession Order for infants and toddlers. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.254, the court expects a graduated schedule that expands as the child matures.
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Lock in a geographic restriction. Without one, the primary conservator can move anywhere in Texas (or potentially further). Collin County plus contiguous counties (Dallas, Denton, Rockwall, Grayson, Hunt, Fannin) is the standard North Texas restriction.
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Address above-guideline support in writing. If either parent earns above $9,200/month in net resources, put the negotiated amount into the final order — courts will enforce above-guideline support if it is agreed and documented.
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Keep co-parenting amicable on the record. Judges read filings. Parties who document cooperation (as Prescott and Ramos have) are treated more favorably at final trial than those who litigate every temporary issue.
FAQs
Is a SAPCR different from a divorce in Texas?
Yes. A Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) under Tex. Fam. Code Chapter 102 addresses conservatorship, possession, and child support for unmarried parents. A divorce under Chapter 6 handles marital dissolution and property. Prescott and Ramos used a SAPCR because they were engaged but never married.
What does joint managing conservator actually mean in Texas?
Joint managing conservator means both parents share decision-making rights under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.071 — medical, educational, and psychological. It does not mean equal possession time. One parent typically receives the exclusive right to designate the child's primary residence, often within a specified geographic area like Collin County.
How long does a Texas SAPCR take from filing to final order?
Most Texas SAPCR cases resolve in 6 to 12 months. Texas imposes a 60-day minimum waiting period for divorce but no statutory waiting period for a SAPCR. Collin County final hearings typically occur 4 to 8 months after filing when parents cooperate and reach agreed temporary orders early.
Does Texas apply the Standard Possession Order to infants?
No. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.254, the Standard Possession Order does not automatically apply to children under age 3. Courts craft custom schedules considering caregiving history, nursing needs, and the child's need for continuity, then transition to Standard Possession as the child matures.
How is child support calculated for high earners like Dak Prescott?
Texas child support guidelines under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125 cap net monthly resources at $9,200 as of September 2025. For two children, the guideline is 25% — so the maximum guideline amount is approximately $2,300/month. Courts can order above-guideline support based on the children's proven needs or by agreement.
Looking for Texas Family Law Guidance?
If you are navigating a SAPCR, custody dispute, or conservatorship modification in Texas, connecting with a family law attorney licensed in your county can help you understand your rights and options. Our directory lists one exclusive family law firm per Texas county, including Collin 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.