Southlake Child Custody Lawyer 

How is Child Custody Determined in Texas?

Divorced or separated parents with children are faced with the difficult task of determining child custody. While some partners are able to agree on a custody plan, others require legal assistance to negotiate custody.

The primary factor used to determine child custody in Texas is the child’s best interests, there are several points the judge will consider when deciding this:

• The needs of the child, both physical and emotional
• The safety of the child, both physical and emotional
• Home stability
• Parental cooperation
• Each parent’s parenting skills
• Which parent was previously the primary caregiver
• What the child’s preference is (if at least 12 years old)
• If there are siblings
• Abuse
• Domestic violence

At Justice Law Firm, our family law team knows that your priority is to protect your children – we make it our goal to keep your children safe and happy, too. Our Southlake child custody attorneys are prepared to help you seek a favorable resolution to your case, tailoring our legal service to your unique situation. By taking the time to sincerely understand your goals regarding custody, we can better serve you and provide comprehensive, results-driven representation.

If you are seeking custody of a child in Tarrant County, Southlake, Grapevine, or the surrounding areas, reach out to Justice Law Firm for dedicated support.

Conservatorship Rights in Tarrant County

In Texas, having custody of a child is called “conservatorship.” A child’s conservator has certain rights and responsibilities.

As a conservator, you may have the right to:

• Make decisions about your child’s healthcare
• Have a say in your child’s schooling
• Obtain access to your child’s medical records
• Talk to school officials about your child’s welfare and education
• Receive child support

Texas recognizes two types of conservatorship: Sole managing conservatorship (SMC) and joint managing conservatorship (JMC). Joint managing conservatorship is common as many courts strive to keep both parents in the child’s life. A judge will specify exactly what each parent’s rights and responsibilities are in a JMC.

Establishing Visitation Rights in Southlake

In Texas, visitation and possession are decided separately from conservatorship. Possession and access refer to a parent’s physical custody of a child. A standard possession order will determine a visitation schedule that both parents must adhere to.

Even if one parent has sole managing conservatorship, the other parent may still have visitation rights unless the court determines that that is not in the child’s best interests. You and your partner may negotiate and come up with your own visitation schedule – if you are unable to come to an agreement, a judge will step in and create one.

It is helpful to have a skilled Tarrant County child custody attorney on your side when seeking custody. At Justice Law Firm, our Southlake divorce attorneys can help you navigate the complicated process and present a strong case to help you achieve your goals. Let us handle the difficult legal work for you.

Get in Touch with Justice Law Firm for personalized assistance in your Southlake child custody case.