Child Custody Lawyers in Southlake
- Southlake, TX
- Wood | Sanchez Law
Putting Your Child’s Future First
When it comes to your children, all legal decisions should be approached with serious care and a long-term perspective. A skilled child custody attorney can offer the clear guidance your family needs to navigate this difficult chapter. Wood & Sanchez Law will work closely with you to protect your parental rights and pursue the ideal outcome for your family.
How Child Custody Is Decided In Southlake
Custody decisions in Southlake depend on a wide range of factors, but ultimately, the child’s best interest is the top priority. Courts evaluate the caregiving history of both parents and their overall ability to provide a safe, supportive environment. If the child is over 12, their preferences may also be taken into account. Below is a comprehensive list of the elements that can impact a custody ruling:
- The child’s physical and emotional needs
- The child’s physical and emotional safety
- Home stability and living conditions
- Each spouse’s parenting abilities and history as a primary caregiver
- The willingness of both parents to cooperate
- Future plans for the child’s care and upbringing
- Presence of siblings and the potential impact of separation
- History of abuse or domestic violence
- Attempts by a parent to negatively influence the child’s relationship with the other parent
- Input from expert witnesses (e.g., psychologists, custody evaluators)
While divorce proceedings are underway, a parent can request a temporary order to establish custody, visitation, child support, and even alimony. This helps to create structure and reduce conflict until the case is resolved.
Understanding Sole Custody Versus Joint Custody
In Texas, child custody arrangements have two components: conservatorship (which involves legal rights and duties) and possession and access (which cover physical custody and visitation). Depending on whether the court grants sole or joint custody, your responsibilities and time with your child will vary. Understanding the distinctions can help you better prepare for what lies ahead.
Sole Custody
- The child resides primarily with one parent
- One parent holds the authority to make key legal decisions
- One parent decides major issues like education and healthcare
Joint Custody
- The child spends a minimum of 35% of time with each parent
- Both parents share responsibility for important legal decisions
- Eligibility for support programs remains a viable option
Crafting a Parenting Plan & Visitation Schedule
An important, but often overlooked part of any custody case is creating a parenting plan that reflects your child’s unique needs. A solid parenting plan should outline how both parents will handle responsibilities, such as education, healthcare, extracurricular activities, transportation, and how personal items are shared between homes, among other things. No matter how cooperative both parties are, it’s helpful to put everything in writing to reduce confusion and avoid future disputes.
Even if one parent is named the sole managing conservator, the other may still have visitation rights, unless the court rules otherwise. Parents can agree on a visitation schedule, or the court will issue one, often based on the Standard Possession Order. We’ll help you determine a way forward that benefits everyone involved.
Let Our Child Custody Attorneys Assist You
If you’re entering custody discussions, it’s critical to have the guidance of family law attorneys who understand the emotional and legal complexities involved. Wood & Sanchez Law is committed to helping clients create fair and practical custody arrangements that put the children first. With decades of experience under their belt, our skilled lawyers assist families across Southlake and many other Texas cities. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
