You’re the possessory conservator of your children and it’s Friday morning. You’ve just had your kids overnight for your Thursday period of possession, and the kids are sick.  No school for them that day. You’re willing and able to stay home with the kids to care for them, and it’s your weekend possession beginning later that day after school anyway.  Can you stay home with your kids?

It depends. First and foremost, you need to read your order carefully. It likely contains a notice provision that states that if the children are not returned to school the next day, that you must notify the other conservator immediately.  Also, if your period of possession ends at the time school begins, then from the time school begins until the time it ends that day is not your period of possession. The children must be returned to the other conservator.  Look for language in your order that states all periods of possession not specified as yours are the other parent’s periods of possession by default, or something to that effect.

It may be that a text or email to the other parent to obtain their agreement (get it in writing!) for you to keep your kids that day will solve things. However, if the other parent does not agree, you will need to return the kids to him or her at the time school would resume for the day and then pick them up later at the time school ends at his or her residence.  Failing to notify the other parent, and failing to return the children to the other parent, may subject you to an enforcement action.  It’s not worth it.

There is some disagreement among practitioners on this issue. Some feel that the possession automatically reverting back to the primary conservator is nonsensical.  There is perhaps an argument to be made here that the change is not in the child’s best interest, especially if the child is sick. However, it is still safer to stick to the provisions as they are contained in your order rather than risk an enforcement. Also, if you are the primary parent and your child has not been returned to you in this type of situation, you may want to have a conversation with the other conservator prior to filing an enforcement. Judges would much rather parents work these things out than waste the court’s time.

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Photo of Michelle O'Neil Michelle O'Neil

Michelle May O’Neil has 30+ years’ experience representing small business owners, professionals, and individuals in litigation related to family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and complex property division. Described by one lawyer as “a lethal combination of sweet-and-salty”, Ms. O’Neil exudes…

Michelle May O’Neil has 30+ years’ experience representing small business owners, professionals, and individuals in litigation related to family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and complex property division. Described by one lawyer as “a lethal combination of sweet-and-salty”, Ms. O’Neil exudes genuine compassion for her client’s difficulties, yet she can be relentless when in pursuit of a client’s goals. One judge said of Ms. O’Neil, “She cannot be out-gunned, out-briefed, or out-lawyered!”

Family Law Specialist

Ms. O’Neil became a board-certified family law specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1997 and has maintained her certification since that time. While representing clients in litigation before the trial court is an important part of her practice, Ms. O’Neil also handles appellate matters in the trial court, courts of appeals and Texas Supreme Court. Lawyers frequently consult with Ms. O’Neil on their litigation cases about specialized legal issues requiring particularized attention both at the trial court and appellate levels. This gives her a unique perspective and depth of perception that benefits both her litigation and appellate clients.

Top Lawyers in Texas and America

Ms. O’Neil has been named to the list of Texas SuperLawyers for many years, a peer-voted honor given to only about 5% of the lawyers in the state of Texas. Ms. O’Neil received the special honor of being named by Texas SuperLawyers as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Texas, Top 100 Lawyers in Texas, and Top 100 Lawyers in DFW for multiple years. She was named one of the Best Lawyers in America and received an “A-V” peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directories for the highest quality legal ability and ethical standards.

Author and Speaker

A noted author, Ms. O’Neil released her second book Basics of Texas Divorce Law in November 2010, with a second edition released in 2013, and a third edition expected in 2015.  Her first book, All About Texas Law and Kids, was published in September 2009 by Texas Lawyer Press. In 2012, Ms. O’Neil co-authored the booklets What You Need To Know About Common Law Marriage In Texas and Social Study Evaluations.  The State Bar of Texas and other providers of continuing education for attorneys frequently enlist Ms. O’Neil to provide instruction to attorneys on topics of her expertise in the family law arena.