Blog Posts - Child custody
How Do I Modify Child Custody or Visitation Arrangements in Texas?
Court orders must reflect current circumstances, not prior circumstances. A court will legally modify child custody or visitation arrangements in Texas if circumstances have substantially, permanently, and unexpectedly changed. These three words have very specific meanings in this context, as outlined below. We stress the need for a judge to...
Continue ReadingUnder What Circumstances Can Stepparents Seek Custody or Visitation Rights in Texas?
Stepparents have visitation and custody rights in Texas. These issues are very common among Texas families. Common sense suggests that the subsequent marriage divorce rate is lower than the initial marriage divorce rate since both spouses are older and wiser, and this is not their first rodeo. But the opposite...
Continue ReadingDoes Getting Arrested Affect Child Custody?
Although an arrest is not a conviction, it could affect a child custody matter. Maybe, but probably not. It is not in the best interests of children for them to associate with people who have police records. The type of arrest could matter as well. To most family law courts,...
Continue ReadingHow Courts Determine Child Custody
Find out how child custody in Texas is generally handled and the various factors the court considers in making these arrangements. Child custody is among the most sensitive types of cases dealt with in the Texas family court. Decisions made during legal proceedings impact your child, the amount of time...
Continue ReadingCan the Court Punish You By Taking Away Time With Your Children?
Your relationship with your child matters. If you are going through a difficult experience, you may be wondering: Can a Texas court punish you by taking away time with your kids? The answer depends entirely on the specific circumstances of the case—but it is definitely possible if the court deems...
Continue ReadingHow Does the Court Consider Criminal History When Deciding Custody?
Criminal history could be a factor in a child custody case. Criminal convictions affect child custody cases in basically two ways. A criminal conviction, especially a recent, violent criminal conviction, could affect several of the Holley factors which courts use to determine the best interests of a child. That is...
Continue ReadingWhat Domestic Violence Allegations Mean for Child Custody in Texas
Unfortunately, domestic violence remains a serious issue. According to estimates from the Texas Council on Family Violence, approximately 33% of people in our state will be a victim of domestic violence at least once during the course of their life. Domestic violence is a criminal offense. It can also have...
Continue ReadingWhat Parents Should Know About Child Custody Modifications in Texas
For parents, there are few things more stressful or overwhelming than a child custody case—especially if there is a dispute over the terms. A final order or agreement can come as a great sense of relief. However, child custody is not necessarily static in Texas. A custody arrangement is always...
Continue ReadingWill Your Custody be Affected if You're a Parent with COVID-19?
Navigating shared custody is difficult enough during a pandemic, but the situation becomes significantly more complicated if one parent starts showing possible symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19. If this happens, how exactly will it impact your child custody arrangement? The guidance from Texas courts so far indicates that existing...
Continue ReadingThe Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak on Child Custody Plans
With unprecedented stay-at-home orders and social distancing recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Texas and across the United States, it is not a surprise that many parents are stressed and confused about sharing child custody. First, public health orders are not intended to automatically disrupt or halt existing...
Continue ReadingHow Can Having an Affair Affect Your Children?
Infidelity can affect a family dynamic in many ways. Even though an affair involves a spouse being unfaithful to the other spouse, children can also feel the effects of the affair and, sometimes, for years to come. An affair can affect your parent-child relationship, and it is important to understand...
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