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By Wendi R. Bailes-Dodson, Managing Attorney
A Texas child-custody case may involve conservatorship, possession and access, decision-making rights, and a schedule that fits a child’s needs. The legal process can feel overwhelming, especially when safety, school, travel, or communication issues are involved.
Dodson Law Firm helps Houston-area parents understand their options and prepare for negotiation, mediation, or court. We focus on the facts that matter under Texas law and explain the next steps without promising a particular result.
Call 713-338-2525 or contact us to discuss your situation.
In Texas, “child custody” commonly involves conservatorship, possession, and access. Conservatorship addresses rights and duties, such as decisions about education and medical care. Possession and access addresses when a parent has time with the child and how parents receive information. The court’s primary consideration is the child’s best interest. Read Texas Family Code Chapter 153.
Texas law generally includes a rebuttable presumption that appointing parents as joint managing conservators is in the child’s best interest.
Joint managing conservatorship does not necessarily mean equal time or identical decision-making rights. An order may assign specific rights and duties and give one conservator the exclusive right to designate the child’s primary residence. The court decides based on the child’s best interest and the facts of the case.
Sole managing conservatorship gives one conservator the exclusive right to make certain decisions. In deciding conservatorship and possession, the court must consider evidence of family violence and sexual abuse as required by law. Safety concerns can affect possession and access; tell an attorney promptly if there is current danger. Texas Family Code § 153.004.
The court decides conservatorship and possession based on the child’s best interest and the facts of the case. A child’s views may be relevant in some circumstances, but they do not decide the case automatically.
Dodson Law Firm provides personal attention and plain-language guidance for Houston-area parents. We can help you organize the facts, understand the process, and identify next steps.
Every case depends on its facts, and no attorney can guarantee a particular result.
Texas may use a standard possession order, but schedules can vary and may be changed by agreement or court order. The right schedule depends on factors such as school, distance, work, age, and safety. Texas law does not allow a court to condition a conservator’s possession or access on payment of child support.
A custody or possession order may be modified when the legal requirements are met. See our post-judgment modification page for the related pathway.
Dodson Law Firm provides personal attention and plain-language guidance for Houston-area parents. We can help you organize the facts, understand the process, and identify next steps. Every case depends on its facts, and no attorney can guarantee a particular result.
contact us or call 713-338-2525.
Our state calculates child support based on a percentage of the non-custodial parent’s net income and the number of children involved. The court may also consider additional factors, such as the child’s specific needs, the parents’ resources and financial obligations, and any extraordinary expenses related to education, healthcare, or extracurricular activities.
If your former spouse has violated the terms of your custody order or visitation arrangement, such as denying visitation, failing to pay support, or making important decisions without your input, you can ask the courts to enforce the order. Judges hearing motions of enforcement may impose penalties such as fines, makeup visitation time, or even jail time for parties found to be in contempt of court.
Establishing paternity is a necessary step in protecting your parental rights and ensuring your child has access to the support and resources they need.
In Texas, you can establish paternity in several ways, including through voluntary acknowledgment executed by both parents, which is ratified by a Court Order establishing paternity, or through a procedure based on genetic testing, which is later ratified by a Court Order. Our family law firm can guide you through the process and help you understand your paternity rights and options.
Non-custodial parents in Texas have the right to regular visitation unless the courts find that it would endanger the child’s physical or emotional well-being. You also have the right to be informed about your child’s education, health, and welfare and to have input into important decisions affecting their upbringing.
Get answers to these questions and more from our experienced team. Whether you’re dealing with a personal injury or a family law matter, we’re here to provide clarity and direction.
