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Child Custody Attorneys
During divorce, parents who might be relatively amicable can become unglued when it comes to their children, and custody. Determining where a child lives is especially divisive. At the law firm of Allen & Weaver, P.C., our Euless, Texas family law attorney helps parents focus on the best interests of their children. That’s what the court does, so parents who are able to come to a child custody (known in Teas as conservatorship) agreement that the court can affirm will save themselves and their children time, pain and stress.
It’s All About the Best Interests of the Child
Attorney Katherine Allen keeps the best interests of her clients’ children front and center. If needed, she will help parents learn how to talk about the other parent without denigrating him or her or trying to turn the child against that other parent. In the long run, these efforts seldom work and parents who try them are often in weaker rather than stronger positions. Moreover, children can be seriously damaged when their parents play such games. Katherine Allen makes sure her clients know what is at stake—the futures of their children—and strongly discourages such efforts.
Conservatorship & Possession:
Two Main Issues in Texas Child Custody Law
Before coming to a decision about the where their children should live and how often the other parent should have access to a child should know something about the law before their child custody goals. First, Texas law about conservatorship is divided into two section: conservatorship and possession. Parents should understand both. Katherine Allen will help clients learn about these issues.
Conservatorship:
Making Decisions About & For the Child
Conservatorship determines which parent makes important decisions about the child. These decisions can involve consent to dental, psychological and medical care and treatment; religion; education, and to provide information about these matters to the other parent or authorize the appropriate, provider or institution to provide such information.
There are several options for conservatorship: joint managing conservatorship that makes both parent equal decision makers; sole managing conservatorship that give one parent legal authority to make those decisions (including decisions about where the child lives); and possessory conservatorship that usually give one parent physical custody and the other parent managing conservatorship.
Judges make these awards based on what they believe to be the best interests of the child. In some cases, they will request evaluations from social workers, psychologists and other professions to help them determine the child’s best interests. In other instances, when parents agree and the judge determine that the parental plan is in the child’s best interests, the judge only has to confirm the plan. Our lawyer urges parents to work together to determine conservatorship. It save trouble, time and stress and improve the chances of receiving the desired arrangement.
Possession:
How Often Each Parent Has the Child
The other part of Texas custody law determines when and how often each parent has access to a child. That access can be either through residential custody or with periodic visitation. Texas has two possession schedules, one standard and one extended. However, when parents agree on a schedule and the judge determines it I in the best interests of the child, parents can deviate from the schedule.
Tying It All Together: The Parenting Plan
The details of conservatorship and possession are folded into a parenting plan that spells everything out and is approved by the judge. Matter such as health insurance and child support are included in parenting plans. You can modify parenting plans later in certain cases when both parents agree on the change, when the child is 12 or older and tell the court he or she wants to chance residences, or when there has been a material and substantial change in the financial, medical or other circumstances of the child or parents.
Conservatorship and Possession Are Much Easier When Parents Agree
Katherine Allen works hard to encourage the development of joint plans. This is easier on all parties involved, including the children. In most instances, it take less time for a judge to approve a parenting plan devised by the parents. This saves time and money and reduces stress. It is in everyone’s best interests to explore this option, and Attorney Allen shows clients how to do it.
We Want to Be Your Child Custody Lawyers in Tarrant County. Call Us.
If you are looking for an attorney who will help you create a child custody arrangement and parenting plan that works and the court will approve, Attorney Katherine Allen at Allen & Weaver, P.C., can help. Call for a low-cost initial consultation. Telephone (817) 567-2721 or contact us online to get started. We serve Grapevine, Southlake, Hurst, Bedford and Colleyville communities from our Euless, Texas office.
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