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“Bastine Law Group is a top-tier, highly respected law firm. Attorney Robinson is knowledgeable, very easy to talk with and explained how my case would be executed in detail.”
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Serving Families Across Greater Houston
We work with families throughout Houston, Fort Bend County, Harris County, and surrounding areas, including Sugar Land, Missouri City, Katy, and Richmond.
With thousands of family law cases handled, Bastine Law Group is known for steady representation backed by preparation, real-world perspective, and courtroom experience.
Our familiarity with local courts and procedures benefits parents at every stage of a custody case. We routinely appear in Harris County and Fort Bend County family courts, and we understand how local standing orders, docket practices, and mediation requirements can influence the timing and structure of your case. Because we regularly work with local custody evaluators, mediators, and guardians ad litem, we can explain what to expect if any of these professionals become involved and help you prepare thoroughly for meetings, home visits, or interviews.
For many families, it is also important to work with a legal team that understands the diverse communities across Greater Houston. We are accustomed to addressing issues such as long commutes, nontraditional work hours, and extended family involvement that may be especially common in this region. By taking these realities into account when crafting proposals and presenting them to the court, we help parents pursue parenting plans that are both legally sound and workable in everyday life.
How Houston Courts Approach Custody Disputes
When a custody dispute cannot be resolved by agreement, judges in Harris County and Fort Bend County family courts follow Texas law while weighing the specific facts of each family. The process may include temporary orders hearings, mediation, and, in some cases, a trial where both parents present testimony and evidence. Understanding how these stages unfold allows you to prepare emotionally and practically, rather than feeling caught off guard by each new development.
Courts in the Houston area often require parents to attend mediation before a final hearing, giving both sides a structured opportunity to negotiate conservatorship, possession schedules, and decision-making authority. In some matters, a custody evaluation, amicus attorney, or guardian ad litem may be appointed to provide the court with additional information about the child’s circumstances. We help you understand the role of each professional, organize documents such as school records or medical reports, and present your perspective in a clear, respectful way.
A custody attorney Houston parents trust can also help set realistic expectations about timelines and potential outcomes based on local court practices. While the law is the same statewide, each judge may have preferences regarding parenting plan formats, communication tools between parents, or how school-year schedules are structured. By drawing on our experience in Houston-area courtrooms, we guide you in tailoring your proposals to address both your child’s needs and the way your particular court tends to approach these disputes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does a Child Custody Case Usually Take?
The length of a custody case depends on how many issues are contested and whether parents are able to reach an agreement. Some matters settle at or shortly after mediation, while others require multiple hearings and a trial, which can extend the process for many months. Local court schedules in Harris County and Fort Bend County also affect timing, so it is helpful to discuss likely timeframes at the beginning of your case.
Can a Custody Order Be Changed Later?
Yes, a custody order can be modified if there has been a substantial change in circumstances or if the current order is no longer workable. Changes such as a new work schedule, relocation, or evolving needs of the child may justify asking the court to review the arrangement. It is important to continue following the existing order until a new one is entered, unless a judge gives different instructions.
Do Children Have a Say in Where They Live?
In Texas, a child’s preferences can be one of many factors a judge considers, particularly for older children. The court may choose to speak privately with the child in chambers, but the child does not make the final decision. Judges consider the child’s wishes alongside safety, stability, and each parent’s past involvement in care.
Talk to a Child Custody Attorney in Houston Today
Whether you are facing a new custody dispute, modifying an existing arrangement, or protecting your parental rights, our team is here to help.
Call (281) 240-7979 or send us a message online to schedule your consultation witrh an experienced Houston child custody lawyer.
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Leave a TestimonialTypes of Conservatorships
Joint Managing Conservatorship (JMC)
The most common arrangement, where both parents share decision-making rights. One parent is typically named the primary custodial parent, while the other has structured visitation.
In many Houston-area cases, a joint managing conservatorship still allows for parenting time that reflects each parent’s work schedule, commuting demands, and the child’s school calendar. Courts often look for parenting plans that minimize disruption to the child’s routine while allowing both parents meaningful involvement in day-to-day activities, such as homework, extracurriculars, and medical appointments. A child custody lawyer in Houston can help you understand what a “standard” schedule might look like in your county and whether creative alternatives could better support your child.
Sole Managing Conservatorship
If the court determines one parent cannot provide a stable or safe environment, sole conservatorship may be awarded to the other. This includes decisions about the child’s residence, education, medical care, and more.
Sole managing conservatorship is less common and typically arises when there are serious concerns, such as a history of abuse, unmanaged mental health issues, or persistent substance misuse. In these situations, the court may limit or supervise the other parent’s access, or require conditions like counseling before additional time is considered. Our team helps parents gather records, witness statements, and other documentation so the judge has a complete picture of the child’s safety needs and the efforts a responsible parent has made to provide a secure environment.
Possessory Conservatorship
A possessory conservator usually has visitation rights and access to important information regarding the child but does not share decision-making authority.
Even when decision-making is limited, the specific terms of possession and access can vary widely. Parenting time may follow a standard schedule, be customized for shift work, or be supervised in some circumstances. Medical and school providers in the Houston area often look to the exact wording of the court order when deciding what information they can share, so it is important that your order is clear and up to date. We work with parents to review existing decrees, identify gaps or confusing language, and pursue modifications when a change in conservatorship or possession would better reflect the child’s current needs.
Custody arrangements can be complex, especially when concerns about safety, relocation, or disagreements arise. Our team works alongside parents to help them approach these sensitive matters with preparation and clarity.
Call (281) 240-7979 or send us a message online to schedule your consultation witrh an experienced Houston child custody lawyer.