Preserving Your Relationship With Your Children
Child custody can be one of the most contentious issues in Texas family law cases. Often, misunderstandings about what the laws require and what is meant by specific types of custody can spin into serious conflicts.
At the Schneider Law Firm, P.C., in Fort Worth, our attorneys help clients understand their child custody options. Whether you are going through a divorce or involved in a custody dispute about children from an unmarried relationship, we can help. Contact us for a free consultation with a knowledgeable child custody lawyer.
Arriving at a Custody and Visitation Schedule
The issue that most people think of first and foremost when it comes to child custody is how much time the child will spend with each parent. Under Texas law, this is known as possession; physical custody is another common term.
In a typical Texas child custody case, one parent is given the legal right to designate the child's primary residence (commonly referred to as the "primary parent"), and the other parent is ordered to pay child support.
However, the primary parent does not necessary get a greater share of custody time. Custody of a child can be split in any number of ways. The final order in any custody case will contain possession schedule — also known as a parenting plan — that the court designates or approves in a particular case.
Our attorneys pursue the best possible child custody and visitation arrangements for our clients using the appropriate methods for each specific situation. We also handle requests for modification of child custody arrangements.
Addressing Your Basic Parental Rights
Another important child custody issue in Texas is the type of conservatorship awarded. The type of conservatorship awarded in a case often dictates the rights and duties of each parent. Typical rights and duties include the right to participate in educational and medical decisions as well as the duty to pay support.
In most cases, the family courts grant both parents joint managing conservatorship (JMC). In some cases — mostly involving allegations of family violence, abuse or neglect — one parent gets sole managing conservatorship (SMC) and the other parent's rights is limited to being a possessory conservator.
Child custody laws in Texas can be confusing, but you should remember that the end goal is to protect the best interests of your children. Contact us to discuss your questions and concerns about the child custody process.
