Addressing Child Custody And Support With Thoughtfulness And Care

Divorce or separation marks a significant transition in a child’s life. It shatters the familiar world they once knew and plunges them into uncertainty.

As a parent, your primary concern is to create the best possible life and future for your child, and at Barnhill Law Firm, we share that priority. Our child custody lawyers can help you find a positive path forward for you and your children.

Led by a board-certified family law attorney, our firm is well-equipped to handle the complexities of child custody and support cases, whether in the context of divorce, separation of unmarried parents, or paternity cases. Our goal is to help you navigate this transition with the utmost sensitivity, thoughtfulness, and care.

Understanding Child Custody In Texas

In Texas, custody is legally referred to as “conservatorship.” There are two aspects of conservatorships:

• Managing conservatorship (legal custody) refers to parental authority to make major decisions for the child. With a joint managing conservatorship (joint custody), both parents have equal authority. With a sole managing conservatorship, only one parent has that authority.
• Possessory conservatorship (physical custody) refers to the right to spend time with the child, which is separate from legal decision-making authority.

A key component in any custody arrangement is the parenting plan, which outlines parental rights and responsibilities, visitation schedules, and other important aspects of the child’s life.

Upholding The Best Interests Of The Child

Custody decisions in Texas must always revolve around the child’s best interests, taking into account factors such as:

• The child’s emotional and physical needs and each parent’s ability to meet those needs
• The child’s relationships with siblings and other significant family members
• The stability of each home environment
• The child’s educational opportunities
• Any physical or emotional abuse
• Any substance abuse
• Each parent’s willingness to support a continuing relationship between the child and the other parent
• Any expressed preferences of the child, if they are of sufficient age and maturity

Our child custody lawyers understand how to address these complex considerations with the goal of ensuring that every decision promotes the welfare and happiness of your child.

Child Support Guidelines In Texas

Child support must also be sorted out when parents split up. In Texas, child support is calculated based on state guidelines, which primarily consider the parents’ income and the number of children they support.

These determinations can get complicated when parents are self-employed or have irregular income streams, such as bonuses or commissions. Additionally, factors such as the cost of child care, health insurance, and special educational or medical needs of the children can also influence the amount of support. Our child support lawyers can address the unique factors in your situation.

Modifications To Custody Or Support

Circumstances change, and when they do, modifications to custody and support orders may be necessary. Possible grounds for these modifications include:

• Significant changes in a parent’s income
• Relocation
• Changes in the child’s needs

Our child custody lawyers can help you pursue or oppose these modifications. We also help clients seeking to enforce existing custody orders.

Discuss Your Concerns With A Child Custody Attorney

If you’re grappling with child custody or child support concerns, whether in Woodway, in Belton, or anywhere in Central Texas, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact us today at 254-379-9224 to talk with an experienced family law attorney. We are here to support and guide you every step of the way.