During difficult times, it is important to find an attorney who can guide you through family law matters such as child custody cases. The right attorney can help you reach a favorable resolution, while avoiding costly mistakes or procedural errors that could harm your case. An experienced attorney will be familiar with the laws of your state and will know how best to represent you. You can find an experienced Child Custody Attorney in the area using FindLaw’s lawyer directory.
In most states, courts favor giving children frequent contact with both parents. However, the court will make a custody determination that is in the child’s best interests. Courts look at various factors when making this decision, including each parent’s ability to nurture a healthy relationship with the child, the parents’ home environments, and the children’s needs. The court may also consider the wishes of the child if he or she is old enough to express them.
Parents are strongly encouraged to create a parenting plan and share custody and visitation rights, if possible. This will allow the parents to avoid a custody dispute and will minimize resentment between them. However, if the parents are unable to come to an agreement on their own, the judge will decide these issues for them. In Texas, there are two types of custody: physical and legal. Physical custody refers to where a child will live on a daily basis, and legal custody refers to the parent’s right to make decisions about the child’s health, education, and welfare.
A judge will usually award both parents joint conservatorship, or shared custody. This means that both parents have significant time with the child and participate in major decisions. In this arrangement, the child will spend about half of his or her time with each parent. In some instances, the court will award one parent sole conservatorship, or primary custody. This will occur when it is in the best interest of the child to do so, such as when one parent has a history of domestic violence or substance abuse or is unable to care for the child adequately.
Ryan Law serves clients in the Waco area and handles a variety of family law matters, such as divorce, custody disputes, and post-decree modifications. Attorney Christie Ryan has over 10 years of experience and is committed to providing compassionate counsel to her clients. The firm focuses on helping families resolve their legal issues and begin new chapters in their lives. In addition to handling child custody and visitation matters, the firm assists with divorce, spousal support, property division, and guardianships. Contact the office today for help with your family law matter.
