Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and ex-fiancée Sarah Jane Ramos reached an informal temporary custody agreement on April 16, 2026, one day before a scheduled Collin County, Texas hearing involving their daughters MJ (2) and Aurora (11 months), according to Sports Illustrated. The pre-hearing resolution illustrates how Texas Family Code § 153.007 encourages parents to negotiate parenting plans before judicial intervention.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Informal temporary custody agreement reached between Dak Prescott and Sarah Jane Ramos |
| When | April 16, 2026 (one day before scheduled hearing) |
| Where | Collin County, Texas (300th District Court jurisdiction) |
| Who's affected | Two minor children: MJ (age 2) and Aurora (age 11 months) |
| Key statute | Tex. Fam. Code § 153.007 (Agreed Parenting Plans) |
| Prior filing | Prescott filed for joint managing conservatorship |
| Wedding status | April 10, 2026 Lake Como wedding called off |
| Impact | Temporary orders hearing pushed back pending continued negotiations |
Why This Matters Legally
Informal custody agreements between unmarried parents become binding only once a Texas court signs them into a temporary or final order. Until the Collin County court enters written temporary orders, either parent retains equal legal rights to the children under Tex. Fam. Code § 151.001, which grants both biological parents the right to physical possession, direction of moral and religious training, and decision-making authority.
The Prescott-Ramos situation involves two unmarried parents with paternity presumably established — a threshold requirement before Texas courts can issue conservatorship, possession, or support orders. Because the couple never married, the case proceeds as a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) rather than a divorce. Prescott's reported filing for joint managing conservatorship signals he is seeking shared decision-making authority over education, medical care, and religious upbringing, which is the statutory presumption in Texas under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131.
The delayed hearing does not eliminate the legal risk. Informal agreements in Texas carry no enforcement power — a parent who violates an unwritten arrangement cannot be held in contempt. For that reason, Texas family law attorneys typically convert negotiated deals into Agreed Temporary Orders within 30 to 60 days of reaching consensus.
How Texas Law Handles Custody Between Unmarried Parents
Texas courts determine conservatorship, possession, and child support using the "best interest of the child" standard codified in Tex. Fam. Code § 153.002. Unlike many states, Texas does not use the word "custody" in its statutes. Instead, parents are designated as either managing conservators (with legal decision-making authority) or possessory conservators (with visitation rights only).
The statutory framework includes three key provisions relevant to the Prescott case:
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Joint Managing Conservatorship Presumption — Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131(b) creates a rebuttable presumption that appointing both parents as joint managing conservators serves the child's best interest. A parent opposing joint conservatorship must present evidence of family violence, neglect, or circumstances contrary to the child's welfare.
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Standard Possession Order — For children age 3 and older, Tex. Fam. Code § 153.252 establishes the Standard Possession Order, granting the non-primary conservator possession on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends, Thursday evenings during the school year, 30 days in summer, and alternating holidays. For children under 3 — including both Prescott daughters — Tex. Fam. Code § 153.254 requires courts to craft age-appropriate schedules based on factors like caregiving history and breastfeeding.
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Child Support Guidelines — Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125 sets support at 25% of the obligor's net resources for two children, capped at net resources of $9,200 per month (adjusted periodically). For high-income earners like Prescott — whose 2024 contract pays $60 million annually — courts may order above-guideline support under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.126 if the children's proven needs exceed guideline amounts.
Collin County SAPCR cases are typically heard in one of four district courts or the 416th and 417th District Courts, which specialize in family matters. Collin County also requires mediation before contested final hearings under local rule.
Practical Takeaways
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Reduce every informal agreement to writing within 30 days. Texas courts will not enforce verbal parenting arrangements. File Agreed Temporary Orders under Tex. Fam. Code § 105.001 to make negotiated terms enforceable through contempt proceedings.
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Establish paternity before filing conservatorship actions. Unmarried fathers in Texas must establish legal paternity through an Acknowledgment of Paternity, court order, or genetic testing under Tex. Fam. Code Chapter 160 before requesting conservatorship rights.
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Document caregiving history for children under 3. Texas courts weigh primary caregiver evidence heavily when possession schedules are crafted for infants and toddlers. Keep records of feeding schedules, medical appointments, and overnight stays for at least 12 months before any hearing.
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Request above-guideline support for high-income cases. If the other parent earns above $110,400 annually (net), Tex. Fam. Code § 154.126 permits child support exceeding the guideline cap when children's proven needs justify additional support. Document all child-related expenses including childcare, education, medical, and extracurriculars.
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Use mediation before litigation. Collin County and most Texas counties require mediation under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.0071 before final hearings. Settlement reached in mediation is binding and not subject to revocation, unlike informal agreements.
What Happens Next in the Collin County Case
The delayed temporary orders hearing will likely be rescheduled within 30 to 90 days unless the parties file Agreed Temporary Orders before then. Under Tex. Fam. Code § 105.001, Texas courts may enter temporary orders addressing conservatorship, possession, child support, and payment of legal fees while the final SAPCR is pending. These orders remain in effect until modified or until a final order is entered.
If the informal agreement holds, attorneys for both parties will typically draft Agreed Temporary Orders reflecting the negotiated terms, submit them to the court for approval, and avoid a contested evidentiary hearing entirely. This is the most common path in Texas SAPCR cases — approximately 85% resolve without trial, according to Office of Court Administration data.
Need Help With a Texas Custody or SAPCR Case?
If you are navigating a custody dispute, paternity action, or SAPCR in Texas, connecting with an experienced family law attorney in your county can help you understand your rights under the Texas Family Code and protect your relationship with your children.
Legal Disclaimer
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.