Texas court upholds custody plan allowing mother in Portugal summer visits with her children

A Texas appeals court has upheld an updated custody arrangement between a mother living in Portugal and a father living in Texas. The decision brings an end to years of legal disputes over parental access to their two teenage children. The Texas Third Court of Appeals issued a written decision confirming a lower court's order that gives the mother a clear visitation schedule.

Under the approved plan, the mother will have custody of the children during summer breaks, spring breaks, and alternating major holidays. She will also have regular weekly phone and electronic contact with them during the school year, when the teenagers live with their father in Texas.Origin of the legal disputeThe legal dispute began after the parents divorced in 2012. At first, they shared joint custody while living in Texas.

In 2022, the mother accepted a place in a PhD programme in Portugal and asked the court to change the custody agreement. She wanted to remove the rules limiting where the children could live. She also asked for permission to obtain passports for the children.