Fort Worth Child Custody Lawyers Focused on Your Children.

How Custody Works in Texas

Texas law calls custody conservatorship. It covers two things: the rights to make decisions for your child, and the schedule for when your child is with each parent.

• Joint managing conservatorship: Texas presumes that naming both parents joint managing conservators is in the child's best interest, though that presumption can be overcome. One parent is usually given the right to decide where the child lives.

• Sole managing conservatorship: one parent holds most decision-making rights, often where there is a history of family violence, neglect or a parent's absence.

• Possession schedules: many families use the Texas Standard Possession Order, which sets weekends, holidays and summer time, but parents can agree to a schedule that fits their family.

The Best Interest of the Child

Every custody decision in Texas turns on the best interest of the child. Courts look at factors such as the child's needs, each parent's ability to meet them, the stability of each home and any history of family violence. A child 12 or older may be interviewed by the judge about where they want to live, but the judge makes the final decision.

Changing an Existing Custody Order

If circumstances have materially and substantially changed since your last order, you may be able to modify custody, the possession schedule or child support. We handle modifications for both parents seeking changes and parents responding to them.

When Criminal Charges Affect Custody

A family violence arrest or other criminal charge can change the course of a custody case. Because our firm handles both criminal defense and family law, we can coordinate both cases so a decision in one does not hurt you in the other.