Katy Child Custody Lawyer

Compassionate Lawyers Securing Your Relationship With Your Child

When you hire The Springer Law Firm, our child custody lawyers work with you to help express your concerns in a way that supports your custody goals. Our legal team negotiates extensively with the other side to reach an agreement that allows both of you to continue to have a role in your child's life. 

Our family law lawyers want your custody plan to last and limit future disagreements. If an agreement cannot be reached, we will be by your side at your trial as we fight for your future with your children.

How Is Child Custody Determined in Texas?

Child custody is determined according to the child's best interest. 

While you do not have to go to court over a custody agreement, divorcing parents often find themselves in the courtroom because of various conflicts. To sort out a custody dispute, the judge will examine several different factors to determine what is believed to be in the child's best interest.

Is Texas a Mother or Father State?

Judges in Texas do not favor mothers over fathers in child custody cases. Instead, remember that judges base their child custody rulings on the child's best interest. First, regardless, it is essential to understand the custody laws in TX regarding the judge and the court's discretion when making child custody determinations.

In Texas, a child's best interest is determined by considering such things as:

• The ability of each parent to provide for the child
• The relationship that the child will have with each parent
• The child's preference, if they are old enough to understand what is happening
• The child’s access to friends, family, and education

How Do You Create a Parenting Plan?

There are many different types of children with varying needs. Some children are shy; some are adventurous; some are loud; and some are quiet. Some children need to have a stable home environment that doesn't involve constant moving between their mother's and father's house, whereas other children seem like they'd be perfectly happy to do so.

Essentially, you need to consider your child's needs and temperament when you devise a suitable parenting plan. To get you started on the right track, here are two important considerations for all Texas parents to think about:

1. Your child's ability to adapt to a changing environment
2. Your child's schedule from day to day

Adapting to a New Environment

If your child struggles while adapting to their new, post-divorce reality, you might want to ensure that you create the most stable and predictable home situation possible—at least until they get a little bit older. Some children do not react well to moving back and forth between the homes of their parents. In such cases, a 50-50 living arrangement will simply never work. Other children, on the other hand, will actually enjoy and thrive with a schedule like this because it offers the most amount of time possible with both parents.

When children struggle with changing environments, it's important for parents to limit the number of exchanges they have to endure, allowing the children to spend longer periods of time with both parents. Alternatively, the parents might want to consider establishing a single home for the child with one parent and offering the other parent regular and frequent visitation rights.

Day-to-Day Schedules

Another important consideration involves your child's daily schedule. It's excellent, for example, to schedule exchanges at a time when your child is already engaged in a daily transition. You might pick up your child immediately after school, or after daycare, and this is when the "parental exchange" takes place. In addition to making transitions for your child easier, this kind of exchange may also be easier for you, since you won't have to interact directly with the other parent.

It might not be entirely clear how to organize your parenting plan, but with an eye for the future and the needs of your child (and yourself), you can set up a suitable plan that balances the needs and wishes of all parties involved.

Navigating Child Custody Laws in Texas

Child custody laws in Texas can be complex and navigating the legal system can be overwhelming for parents. Our experienced Katy child custody lawyers are well-versed in Texas family law and can provide skilled legal representation to help you understand your rights and options.

When it comes to child custody, it's important to consider factors such as:

• Parenting plans and visitation schedules
• Child support and financial considerations
• Legal and physical custody arrangements
• Modifications to existing custody orders

Our team is dedicated to advocating for the best interests of your child and helping you achieve a fair and favorable custody arrangement. We understand the emotional and legal challenges involved in child custody cases and are committed to providing compassionate and strategic legal guidance throughout the process.

Your Hometown Lawyers for Legal Issues That Affect Children

We have the experience you would typically see at a large law firm and the personal attention from lawyers you would receive at a small firm. To learn more about what we can do for you in regard to child custody, just reach out to our Katy office!

Call (281) 990-6025 or contact a Katy child custody attorney online to schedule your consultation.

Related Reading

• What Happens if I Violate a Custody Order?