Sugar Land Child Custody Lawyer
Compassionate Child custody attorney with 40+ Years of family law Experience
At Tracton Law Firm in Sugar Land, Texas, I personally understand the concerns parents have about how divorce may impact their children and the quality of their parent-child relationships. Child custody disputes are emotional experiences, but my primary objective as your legal advocate is to obtain a favorable custody order for you and your child.
I have more than 40 years of family law experience helping parents apply the facts of their case to the statutory factors the court considers when determining custody. I’ve been divorced myself and have multiple children I maintain strong relationships with, so I am personally dedicated to helping divorcing parents negotiate or litigate a favorable custody agreement. Let an experienced Sugar land child custody lawyer with an established track record help you and your child today.
Schedule an initial consultation by contacting us online or calling (281) 962-7738 to discuss your child custody case in more detail. Our Sugar Land child custody lawyer serves clients throughout Fort Bend, Harris and Brazoria Counties.
How Our Sugar Land Child Custody Lawyer Can Help
The Texas courts generally respect custodial arrangements agreed to by parents in negotiations outside of trial, but if you cannot reach an agreement, the court in TX will decide on the final custody arrangement. Whether you intend to resolve child custody issues in negotiation or in family court, you want an experienced child custody attorney serving Sugar Land on your side to advocate for your parental rights.
Tracton Law Firm assists parents with a full spectrum of child custody issues, including:
- Custodial issues for mothers
- Custodial issues for fathers
- Custody solutions for special-needs children
- Child support
- Modifications to custody and support orders
- Parental alienation and child abuse
- Parental relocation
These are important decisions that will shape your relationship with your child moving forward. It is critical to retain the services of an experienced child custody lawyer serving Sugar Land, TX, who will do their best to produce a favorable outcome. Whether you and the other parent are on amicable terms or adversarial terms, I am prepared to help you negotiate a custody agreement and fight for your parental interests in Texas family court.
Is Texas a 50/50 Custody State?
In Texas, 50/50 custody means both parents have equal physical custody of their children. This means that the children spend equal time living with each parent. 50/50 custody can be structured in a few different ways, and the best way for your family will depend on your specific circumstances.
One common way to structure 50/50 custody is to have the children spend one week with each parent. This is known as a "week on/week off" schedule. Another common way to structure 50/50 custody is to have the children spend every other weekend with one parent and the weekdays with the other. This is known as a "2-2-3" schedule.
No matter how 50/50 custody is structured, both parents need to be involved in their children's lives. This means being available to provide for their physical and emotional needs and making decisions about their education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities. It is also crucial for both parents to communicate regularly and to work together to co-parent effectively.
If you are considering 50/50 custody for your family, discussing your situation with me as your child custody lawyer is crucial. As your Sugar Land child custody attorney, I can help you understand the laws in Texas that apply to 50/50 custody and help you develop a plan that is in the best interests of your children.
To speak to our experienced Sugar Land child custody lawyer, give us a call at (281) 962-7738 or contact us online today.
The Child’s Best Interests
Under Texas law, the court’s primary consideration for determining child custody must be whether the arrangement will serve the child’s best interests. These best-interest factors include:
- the child's desires;
- the child's immediate and future physical and emotional needs;
- any immediate and future physical and emotional danger to the child;
- the parental abilities of each parent;
- the programs available to assist parents who want to promote the best interests of their child;
- the plans each parent has for the child;
- the stability of the home or proposed home;
- any actions or failures to act that may indicate that the parents do not have a proper parent-child relationship; and
- any excuse the parents may have for the above actions and failures to act.
The Texas court will also review the above factors to approve or deny custody modification requests.
child Custody And Parenting Plans Do Not Require a Bitter Battle
More often than not, parents want to avoid lengthy and heated conflict. With the help of an experienced child custody attorney serving Sugar Land, your custody dispute does not have to be a battle. I have decades of family law experience guiding parents toward conflict resolution, and I personally understand how important the custody outcome is. I will do my best to fight for your parental interests and protect your parent-child relationship in your child custody order. Whether you are a mother or a father, seeking an initial order or a modification, Tracton Law Firm is here to help.
Sole Custody vs. Joint Custody in Texas
In Texas, when it comes to child custody arrangements, parents have the option to choose between sole custody and joint custody, both of which have distinct implications for the children's upbringing and the parents' roles.
- Sole custody grants one parent the primary legal and physical custody of the child, giving them the authority to make important decisions regarding the child's life, such as education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. The non-custodial parent may still have visitation rights, but they generally have limited input in major decisions.
- Joint custody, also known as joint managing conservatorship in Texas, involves both parents sharing the responsibility for making significant life choices for the child. This arrangement emphasizes cooperation and communication between parents, ensuring that both have a say in matters affecting their child's well-being.
Texas family courts prioritize the child's best interests when determining custody arrangements, and there is a presumption that it's in the child's best interest for both parents to have frequent and continuing contact. However, if circumstances such as domestic violence or substance abuse exist, sole custody might be deemed more appropriate to ensure the child's safety and well-being.
Choosing between sole and joint custody involves careful consideration of the parents' ability to cooperate, the child's relationship with each parent, and other relevant factors. Consulting our knowledgeable Sugar Land child custody lawyer can help parents understand their options and make decisions that serve their child's best interests while navigating the complexities of child custody law in Texas.
Schedule an initial consultation online or by calling (281) 962-7738 to speak with our experienced Sugar Land child custody lawyer today.