Archives: Glossary

N

• Noncustodial Parent

  In a court order, the noncustodial parent (NCP) may also be called possessory conservator, non-residential parent, or obligor. This parent usually has many or most of the same rights and responsibilities as the custodial parent with one exception. The noncustodial parent does not decide where the child lives. The possessory conservator (noncustodial parent) pays child support to the obligee as ordered by the court.

• Noncustodial Parent Special Election

  The noncustodial parent can elect to take possession of the child only one weekend per month. In this case, the noncustodial parent gets to pick the weekend he or she wants, as long as he or she gives the other parent at least 14 days’ written or telephonic notice. This is a special election. The NCP has 90 days AFTER he or she moves over 100 miles away from where the child lives to make the election. The noncustodial parent does not have to tell the court about the change; only the other parent or conservator. Written or email notification can be saved or printed as proof of notification.

• Nondisclosure (privacy)

  In child support cases, the law requires that the contact information (name, address, place of work) for both parents be included in the court order unless the court finds there is a reason not to make this information public. You can request to keep this information private, also called a nondisclosure. If all parties are in Texas, a party must request and justify the nondisclosure determination prior to the court entering the order protecting the party’s information. The most common justification is due to family violence. After a hearing in which a court considers the health, safety, or liberty of the party or the child, the court may order disclosure of information if the court determines that the disclosure serves the interests of justice.