Possession and Custody Schedules for Professional Athletes

Professional athletes often face high travel demands, irregular hours, and intense pressure to perform, which can make it difficult to maintain a consistent schedule, let alone manage a custody arrangement. As such, challenges often arise when trying to determine possession and custody schedules in cases involving professional athletes. If you are a professional athlete or co-parenting with one, it is important to understand your options for protecting your parental rights, and you should consult an attorney as soon as possible. At McClure Law Group, our experienced Dallas child custody attorneys understand the complexities of custody disputes involving professional athletes and we are dedicated to helping parties safeguard their parental rights. If you hire us, we can help you seek a tailored custody arrangement that respects you or your co-parent’s career demands while prioritizing the best interests of your children.

The challenges of determining possession and custody schedules for professional athletes arise from the unpredictable nature of their careers. Professional athletes often travel extensively during their sports seasons, attend off-season training camps, and may even move to different states or countries for team assignments. These career demands can make adhering to standard possession orders challenging and create tension between co-parents regarding the division of parenting time.

Under the Texas Family Code (the Code), the best interests of the child must be the primary consideration in determining custody arrangements. For professional athletes, this means crafting schedules that ensure the child maintains meaningful relationships with both parents despite irregular schedules. As such, the standard possession orders outlined in the Code may not suit athletes with non-traditional work hours, making it necessary to customize an arrangement that prioritizes flexibility while maintaining stability for the child.

If they are not carefully addressed, the challenges in determining possession and custody schedules for professional athletes can lead to missed parenting opportunities and emotional harm to the child. Tailored custody arrangements that reflect the realities of an athlete’s career can help mitigate these risks and provide a strong foundation for co-parenting success.

Texas law allows parents to deviate from the standard possession order to create custody agreements that better meet the unique needs of their family. Specifically, the Code permits customized parenting plans if both parents agree and if the plans serve the child’s best interests. For professional athletes, these modifications can address issues such as extended travel, fluctuating schedules, and off-season availability.

For example, an athlete’s custody agreement might include expanded parenting time during the off-season or alternative visitation arrangements, such as virtual visitation under the Code when the athlete is traveling. It may also include provisions for “make-up” parenting time to compensate for missed visits due to work obligations. These strategies help ensure both parents can actively participate in their child’s life, even when work demands create unavoidable conflicts.

Texas courts recognize that stability and routine are critical to a child’s well-being. Any modifications to standard possession orders must reflect these priorities, ensuring that the child’s educational, social, and emotional needs are met. Additionally, the Code provides for parental cooperation and communication requirements, which can be particularly beneficial in high-conflict situations or when one parent’s career demands are unpredictable.

Managing possession and custody schedules for professional athletes requires a delicate balance between career demands and family responsibilities. If you or your co-parent are a professional athlete, it is in your best interest to talk to an attorney about your options. At McClure Law Group, our trusted Dallas child custody attorneys understand the unique challenges professional athletes face and are prepared to help you craft a custody arrangement that best suits your needs and benefits your child. Our primary office is located in Dallas. We also have a Collin-County office in Plano, where we are available to meet with clients by appointment. We regularly represent people in child custody matters in Dallas, Fort Worth, Rockwall, Frisco, McKinney, Irving, Richardson, and Garland. We also help people with family law disputes in cities in Dallas, Denton, Collin, Rockwall, Tarrant, and Grayson Counties. You can reach us by using our online form or calling 214.692.8200 to set up a confidential meeting.