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When you’re going through a Houston child custody battle, you’ll want to make sure that you’ll have enough time allocated to spend quality time with your child.

Child visitation, also known as “possession and access” in Texas, plays a vital role in maintaining strong and healthy parent-child relationships.

At Dodson Law Firm, PLLC, our child custody and visitation lawyers help parents navigate complex child custody and visitation matters, always keeping their child’s best interest in mind.

We know that your child’s well-being and happiness are your top priorities, and we share that commitment.

Our family law firm has years of experience handling child custody cases in Harris and surrounding counties throughout Texas. Let us provide you with the knowledgeable guidance, compassionate support, and tireless advocacy you need during this challenging time.

Factors Considered in Determining Visitation Arrangements in Texas

When determining visitation arrangements, Texas family courts consider several factors to ensure that they serve your children’s best interests:

  • The children’s age and developmental needs.
  • Each parent’s circumstances and ability to care for the minors.
  • A child’s preferences (if the minor is old enough to express a preference)
  • Any history of family violence, abuse, or neglect.

Our knowledgeable Houston child custody attorneys will take the time to understand your family’s unique situation and goals. We will guide you through the intricacies of Texas child custody laws and work with you to develop a visitation plan that meets your child’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs.

Types of Visitation Arrangements

Typical visitation schedules in the Texas Family Court include standard possession, modified possession, and supervised visitation orders.

1. Standard Possession Order

  • The most common visitation schedule in Texas.
  • Provides the non-custodial parent with visitation on alternating weekends, Thursday evenings, and certain holidays.

2. Modified Possession Order

  • Tailored to suit your family’s specific needs.
  • Can involve changes to the visitation schedule, such as extended summer visitation or a rotating holiday schedule.

3. Supervised Visitation

  • Required when there are concerns about a child’s safety or well-being.
  • A neutral third party, such as a family member or professional supervisor, must be present during the non-custodial parent’s time with the child.

Ensuring Fair and Balanced Child Visitation Arrangements in Houston

When divorcing or separating, creating a visitation schedule that works for your family is crucial. At Dodson Law Firm, PLLC our Houston child custody attorneys are dedicated to helping you establish fair and balanced visitation arrangements that protect your parental rights and prioritize your child’s best interests.

Addressing Child Visitation Disputes

Even with the best intentions, disagreements over child visitation arise for different reasons:

  • Parental relocation.
  • Changes in a parent’s work schedule or living situation.
  • Concerns about a child’s safety or well-being.
  • One parent attempts to interfere with the other’s visitation rights.

When conflicts occur, having an experienced Houston child visitation lawyer on your side is important to protect your parental rights and your child’s best interests.

Resolving Visitation Conflicts

We resolve possession and access disputes through collaborative methods, including mediation and negotiation between attorneys.

These approaches often lead to more amicable and sustainable solutions that minimize the impact of conflict on your child.

However, our skilled family law attorneys will vigorously represent your interests in court when litigation is necessary to protect your child’s well-being or visitation rights.

Modifying Visitation Orders

If you need to modify an existing access order due to a substantial change in circumstances, such as a job relocation or concerns about your child’s safety, we can help you:

  • Gather evidence demonstrating that the modification is necessary and in your child’s best interest.
  • Present a compelling case to the court to secure your family’s desired changes.

Protecting Your Child’s Relationship with Both Parents

We believe children benefit from having a strong, loving relationship with both parents whenever possible. Our law firm works to establish a visitation arrangement that allows your children to maintain close bonds with both parents while ensuring their physical and emotional well-being.

Co-parenting after a divorce or separation can be challenging, especially when there is a history of conflict or mistrust between parents. Our experienced family law attorneys can create effective co-parenting strategies and parenting plans that minimize conflict and prioritize your child’s needs.

In cases where one parent is unfit or poses a danger to the child, our child visitation attorneys will take swift action to protect your child’s safety and well-being. This move may involve seeking supervised visitation, requesting a psychological evaluation of the parent in question, or even pursuing a termination of parental rights in extreme cases.

How Our Houston Child Visitation Lawyer Works Possession and Access Cases

Our family lawyers understand the laws governing child custody and visitation in Texas. We provide clear, concise explanations of your rights and options that empower you to make informed decisions about your case.

Every child is unique, and every family’s circumstances are different. Our family law firm works closely with you to develop a visitation plan that considers your child’s age, developmental stage, emotional needs, and any special considerations, such as medical issues or educational requirements.

Representation in Mediation, Negotiation, and Court Proceedings

Whether you resolve your case through alternative dispute resolution or litigation, your legal counsel will be by your side every step of the way. Our skilled family law attorneys are experienced negotiators and fierce courtroom litigators who use their knowledge and resources to fight for the best possible outcome for you and your child.

Assistance with Enforcement or Modification of Visitation Orders

When your co-parent fails to comply with the visitation order or if changes in your circumstances necessitate a modification, we can help. Ensure that the family court respects your visitation rights and makes timely decisions on necessary changes to existing access orders with our family lawyers on your side.

We understand the emotional challenges of custody and visitation matters and will tirelessly fight for you and your children’s family care needs.

Your Advocate For Protecting Your Child’s Best Interests

We know nothing is more important to you than your child’s happiness, safety, and well-being.

The Dodson Law Firm, PLLC shares that commitment and will protect your child’s best interests throughout the child custody and visitation process.

Our experienced family law attorneys will guide you through the challenges of establishing, modifying, or enforcing a possession or access order and offer the knowledgeable counsel and strong advocacy you need during this difficult time.

If you have a child visitation matter on the court’s calendar in Houston or the surrounding areas, don’t face it alone. Contact the Dodson Law Firm, PLLC, today to schedule a consultation with a Houston child visitation lawyer who will fight for your parental rights and your child’s best interests.

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Expert Guidance for Your Legal Concerns

You've Got Questions. We've Got Answers.

How does Texas determine the best interest of the child in visitation cases?

Texas courts consider a variety of factors when determining what’s in the best interest of the child:

  • The child’s physical, emotional, and psychological needs.
  • Each parent’s ability to provide a stable, loving home environment.
  • The child’s relationship with each parent and any siblings.
  • The child’s preferences (if the child is mature enough to express a preference).
  • Any history of abuse, neglect, or family violence.
Can a parent refuse visitation if child support isn't being paid?

NO! Child support and visitation are separate legal issues in Texas. A parent cannot withhold visitation because the other parent is behind on child support payments. If your co-parent is not paying child support as ordered, you have legal options to enforce the support order, but you must continue to follow the visitation schedule.

What happens if a parent repeatedly violates the visitation order?

If your co-parent is not following the court’s access order, you can take legal action to enforce it. This process may involve filing a motion for enforcement and requesting penalties for the violations, such as make-up visitation time, fines, or even jail time in severe cases.

How can I modify my current visitation arrangement?

You must show that a substantial change in circumstances has occurred since the court ordered the access order and that the modification is in the child’s best interest to modify a visitation order successfully.

Examples of substantial changes may include:

  • A significant change in a parent’s work schedule or living situation.
  • A parent’s relocation.
  • Changes in the child’s needs as they grow older.
  • Concerns about a child’s safety or well-being with one parent.

If you believe a modification is necessary, our Houston child visitation attorneys can help you gather evidence and present a solid case to the court.

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.