Custody

Sole managing conservatorship (SMC) means you are the only parent with the legal right to make certain decisions about your children. If you are granted SMC, you have the general rights given to a conservator and you are the only parent who has the right to do the following:

• decide the main (primary) residence of your children;
• consent to medical, dental, and surgical treatment for your children, involving invasive procedures;
• consent to psychiatric and psychological treatment for your children;
• receive child support;
• make decisions concerning your children’s education, including choosing the school the children attend;
• represent your children in legal action and make legally-significant decisions concerning your children;
• consent to your children marrying or enlisting in the armed forces of the United States;
• access earnings of your children;
• act as an agent of your children in relation to the children’s estates; and
• apply for, renew, and hold onto your children’s passport.¹

¹ Tex. Fam. Code § 153.132