12 yr old wants to move w/dad for schools

[texas mom]

What is the name of your state?Texas
I have 3 children (ages 12, 11 and 8), their father and I have joint managing conservatorship and neither of us pay child support, we have week off and week on custody (50/50) I am primary residence and make more money than he does. He has pressured them to go back to old school district for friends and they want to but I think they should be in the schools I am zoned for ( I have 3 bdrms TH and he has a 1 bdrn apt). I believe he will have my 12 yr ask the judge to let her move w/him for school zoning...how likely is that w/2 younger siblings in a different school district and still 50/50 w/dad...and would child support be a factor? He stated he would take them from me one by one to make them happy about schools. Please help...if there is anything I can do? I plan on remarrying before the end of the year and will be living in a home again (4 brdms) will this help the judge to decide?

 

[Inquiry123]

School Ranking

How long has 50/50 been occuring? How great is the distance between parental homes and school zones? And the new home...how far...same zone?

In TX, at 12 the child's disposition may be heard by the court. The notion that the child has friends at school "A" and not at school "B" would not normally be a strong argument for changing custody. However, since in your case there is 50/50 residential, the question may be "Why not"?

So, why not? House vs. Apt.? Hasn't dad had 50% residential for some time while in the smaller apt? How did that work before but not now? What if he gets a more suitable apt or moves into the TH that you're leaving?

A stronger argument, I feel, would be based on what's in the best interest of the children...not the luxury of the residence (didn't Lincoln grow-up in a log cabin?) Will they get a better education at school "B"? Schools are ranked in TX...which ranks higher? Why? When dad has possession, do the kids make it to school on time? Do they have their assignments completed? Etc.

12...that's pretty close to being a teen. Some professionals think that a father's influence is more important for girls during those years. Hope you can work it all out.