Child Custody Lawyers
FORT BEND COUNTY CHILD CUSTODY LAWYERS
WORKING TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE OPTIMUM CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS IN FORT BEND COUNTY, HARRIS COUNTY & SURROUNDING AREAS
Texas family law defines child custody as “conservatorship.” Under this law, the primary consideration in any custody decision is “the best interest of the child,” so you need a child custody lawyer who can help you demonstrate that it’s in your child’s best interests to be with you.
Many factors can impact the decision-making and access rights of a parent to their child in the event of separation or divorce. However, Texas courts have established public policy that favors “frequent and continuing contact” with all parents who demonstrate the following:
- A willingness and ability to do what is best for their child
- Having provided a stable home for their child
At Bastine Law Group, your child custody lawyer understands that the issue of custody and visitation can be one of the most stressful and divisive issues in family law because of the intense emotions attached to the parent-child relationship. Whether you are involved in a current custody matter in a pending divorce or a post-divorce custody modification or enforcement, your child custody lawyer will work to help you create the best possible situation for you and your children.
Our team will work with you to help ensure your case proceeds as smoothly as possible.
WHAT DOES CONSERVATORSHIP IN TEXAS MEAN?
Conservatorship defines the rights and responsibilities a parent is granted by courts in connection with his or her child(ren). Courts can grant conservatorship to either one parent or both depending on the facts of the case. As mentioned above, courts prefer children to have the benefit of a relationship with both parents whenever possible.
A conservatorship gives a parent the right to make major decisions related to the child’s life, from health to schooling, religious upbringing, extra-curricular activities, and more. It also gives a parent the right to have physical access to the child, such as having the child live with the parent or the parent having visitation rights.
TYPES OF CONSERVATORSHIPS
Three types of conservatorships exist that may be used by courts as follows:
- Joint managing conservatorship. This is when parents share in the rights and responsibilities of parenting their child(ren). In these cases, the courts will indicate the specific rights and responsibilities each parent has jointly and separately. For example, one parent may be designated as the “custodial” parent with whom the child will mainly live while the other parent will be granted some type of visitation rights. All other decisions may be held jointly.
- Sole managing conservatorship. This gives one parent only the right to decide life issues for the child including regarding a child’s primary residence.
- Possessory conservatorship. This is generally associated with visitation rights. It allows the parent to spend time with a child as well as gives the parent access to important information about the child. It also allows the parent to attend extracurricular activities or other events involving the child.
In most cases, a joint managing conservatorship (JMC) is awarded. This gives both parents physical and legal rights to a child. Your child custody lawyer will explain that only in cases where it is viewed unsafe for a child to be with one of the parents is sole managing conservatorship awarded. This generally occurs in cases where a parent has a history of domestic violence, child neglect or abuse, substance abuse, or where a parent is incarcerated or cannot care for a child due to some circumstance.
Our team will work with you to help ensure your case proceeds as smoothly as possible.
CHILD CUSTODY LAWYER FAQ
Can I get sole managing conservatorship of my child?
In the absence of an unsafe or unstable situation with your child’s other parent, you most likely will end up sharing custody of your child or children. Your child custody lawyer can explain this in better detail. If you believe that your child or children may not be safe with their other parent, it’s important to discuss your situation with your child custody lawyer.
If the other parent has a history of domestic violence, child neglect, child abuse, substance abuse, or is incarcerated, you should disclose this to your child custody lawyer too.
How do I get the best child custody lawyer near me?
Our children are the most important parts of our lives. If you are dealing with a custody dispute, make sure that you have the guidance of an experienced child custody lawyer with a track record of success. Look at online reviews and ask whether your lawyer regularly handles custody cases.
Can I refuse to allow visitation in Texas until my ex pays the child support?
No. Your child custody lawyer will explain that a parent can’t refuse to allow visitation solely because the other parent has not paid child support. Keep in mind though, it’s not called “visitation” in Texas. Your child custody lawyer will explain that in Texas, we use the term “possession and access.” Possession and access in Texas can either be standard or extended.
Can the court refuse to grant custody to a father who voluntarily and knowingly abandoned the pregnant mother of his child?
Yes, your child custody lawyer can explain the details, but Texas law allows courts to terminate custodial rights of a father who has abandoned the mother of his unborn child while she is pregnant if the father is aware that she is pregnant and if the father does it voluntarily.
Does Texas favor the mother over the father in child custody disputes?
Texas courts are not supposed to favor a mother over the father. Texas courts are supposed to examine what is in the best interests of the child only.
DO YOU NEED A CHILD CUSTODY LAWYER?
If you need a child custody lawyer, you could search the internet for “best custody lawyer near me,” but it’s important to look at reviews. Bastine Law Group has over 30 years of experience creating relieved and satisfied clients, and our reviews are a testament to the quality of our legal services.
If you need a child custody lawyer in Texas, request a confidential consultation with one of our Fort Bend County child custody lawyers by contacting us online or at 346-603-5757.
