Our Galveston Child Custody Attorney Protects Your Legal Rights

And The Best Interest of the Child

Parents always want what is best for their children, especially during a divorce. As hard as separation is on the spouses, it is often the children who bear the brunt of the anxiety. These days parents are encouraged to work together to draw up an agreement that determines who will have custody of the children and when.

With each parent wanting to spend as much time as possible with their child, time-sharing can sometimes turn into a hotly debated issue. In the state of Texas, it is public policy to encourage parents to share the rights and responsibilities of raising a child.

What Is Child Custody?

How Does the Judge Decide Who Should Have Custody?

In family court, the judge will base his custody decision on several different factors including: 

• The parent's wishes, both parents are "fit" legal guardians
• The child's wishes
• The child's relationship with each parent
• The child's school and home environment
• The mental and physical health of each parent
• Which parent spends more time with the child
• Which parent can better provide and further the child's education
• The parenting styles
• And the geographical proximity between parents

If both parents seem fit for the job and live relatively close, then the judge will most likely grant joint physical and legal custody. If one parent however, fails to meet up to the court's standards, then the other parent will usually be granted physical custody and they will be given visitation rights to the child.

There are two different types of custody agreements that can be implemented in your case. There is sole custody and Joint custody. 

Sole Custody

Sole custody gives one parent the exclusive authority to make major decisions for the child. This also means that that they are the custodial parent, so the child will live with them on a regular basis, and the other parent may or may not have visitation rights to the child.

Joint Custody

In cases where joint custody is granted to both parents, they much consult and agree on all legal decision on the child's behalf. This also means that the parents will share physical custody and take turns having continuous contact with their child. The physical custody arrangement might not be 50/50 even, but the court will arrange a certain schedule that best fits the best interests and needs of the child.

How Does Visitation Work?

Visitation is typically granted for the non-custodial parent so they can have frequent visits with their child and stay active and connected in their life.

The courts will set up a fixed visitation agreement that gives the non-custodial parent time to spend with them possibly including:

•  Sleep overs 
• Certain weekends
• Shared holidays
• Weekday evenings
• Or on school vacations

Each case will be different and will be specifically tailored to meet the child's needs and schedule. If one parent has a history of domestic violence, them there may be cases where supervised visitation is necessary if the safety of the child is in question.

How to Win Child Custody in Texas

Winning child custody in Texas requires a demonstration that the proposed custodial arrangement is in the best interest of the child. Factors considered by the court include:

• The child's physical well-being 
• The child's emotional well-being
• The child's psychological well-being
• The ability of each parent to provide for the child
• The child's relationship with each parent

It is important to gather evidence and present a strong case to support your argument for custody. It may also be helpful to seek the advice of a family law attorney who is familiar with the laws and customs of the court in which your case will be heard.

How an Experienced Family Lawyer Can Help You Win Custody

Our experienced child custody lawyer can help a parent win child custody by: 

• Providing legal representation, advice, and support throughout the custody process
• Helping gather and present evidence to support the parent's case, such as witness statements and documentation of the parent's relationship with the child 
• Helping the parent understand the laws and procedures related to child custody and navigate the court system 
• Negotiating with the other parent or their attorney to reach a mutually agreed upon custody arrangement. 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your case, give us a call or contact us online today.

Helping You Keep Your Children Close to You

Divorces involve terms such as "child custody" and " visitation", as well as more friendly terms such as "parenting plans" and "time-sharing". Children are no longer considered property, instead divorcing parents are told to work together and come up with a parenting plan that works for them and is in the best interest of the children.

Even when parents want the best for their children, it can be hard to overcome basic human nature. People are still people and sometimes they seek to hurt one another by alienating their children from their ex-spouse. 

If this happens, it is time to take quick action to guarantee that neither parent is given less time with their child than they deserve. When tempers flare and the situation gets complicated, a family law attorney can be the stable person to turn to for help. Get in touch with me and I can help see to it that everyone's side of the story is heard.