Georgetown Child Custody Lawyer

Child Custody Attorney in Georgetown, TX

One of the most painful elements of a divorce can be an emotional custody battle. It’s possible that your spouse may try to use your children as bargaining chips to leverage a better settlement, and you should do whatever you can to make sure you are a continued presence in your children’s lives. It doesn’t take much for a custody battle to turn ugly quickly, so you should consider hiring a Georgetown child custody lawyer who can oversee your case and represent you.

The legal team at Heinrich Christian, PLLC, can devote our resources to helping you favorably resolve your child custody case. Texas can have complicated child custody laws, and you may not even know where to start with your case. A Georgetown child custody attorney knows these laws and how to navigate them. Our team has more than 25 years of combined experience in assisting individuals with their family law needs. We can bring that experience to your situation.

Important Factors to Consider in a Custody Battle

If you decide to move forward with legal action in a Georgetown child custody case, it will be handled by the Williamson County District Court and take place at the Williamson County Justice Center on Martin Luther King Street. Custody cases are fairly common in Texas district courts. The state has a marriage rate of 49% and a divorce rate of 2.1 per 1,000 people. A significant element of many divorce cases is determining custody. It’s not always amicable.

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There are many important factors you have to consider in a custody battle. As the legal parent of your child, you are afforded certain rights and responsibilities under the Texas Family Code, including the duty of care, control, protection, and reasonable discipline of your child. It’s important that you never lose sight of your responsibilities as a parent, and you should always prioritize your child’s welfare during this ordeal. Here are some vital factors to consider during your case:

• Your child’s desires. If your child is at least 12 years old, the court will likely take their preference into consideration. The court weighs the opinion of children who are deemed mature enough to declare which parent they would prefer to live with. Even if it’s not you, you should still work hard to make sure your child is taken care of. Ultimately, the court will decide what’s right for the child, and that may include refusing their request.
• Your child’s needs. With legal matters involving children, the Texas family court always does what it feels is right for the child’s welfare. In some cases, that decision can include refusing your intentions or those of your spouse. They may even toss your parenting plan aside and create a new one for you to follow. The court needs to prioritize the child’s current and future emotional and physical needs.
• Parental abilities. The court needs to go through each parent’s financial situation, ongoing parental responsibilities thus far, and any possible history of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. Before deciding on custody, the court needs to know how capable each parent is of raising a child on their own. This includes not just financial contributions but the ability to meet the child’s emotional needs.
• Stability. One of the most important factors in a child custody case is determining stability. The court needs each parent to provide a stable home for their child if they want joint custody to be the desired outcome. If one parent doesn’t have sufficient income or cannot provide a safe home environment for the child, they may not receive physical custody, at least temporarily.
• Support system. Another factor that can be a positive influence on the court’s decision is whether you have a strong support system. The presence of extended family and community support can make a considerable difference to the court’s decision regarding custody.

FAQs

What Is the Biggest Mistake You Can Make in a Custody Battle?

Generally, the biggest mistake you can make in a custody battle is failing to prioritize your child’s needs or using them as a weapon to hurt your ex. The court can usually recognize when one parent is insincere or using their child as a pawn. If you try to do this, you could be accused of parental alienation, which would hurt your custody chances tremendously. Remember that your child’s welfare is the real priority here.

What Should I Say in Court to Get Custody of My Child?

To successfully get custody of your child, you need to be honest about what you want for them. Focus on being a present parent, document everything you do for them, and don’t badmouth your ex during the process. Frame your argument around building a successful and stable life for your child, along with facilitating a healthy co-parenting relationship with your ex. Be the bigger person, and the court will notice.

What Makes a Parent Lose Custody?

Many factors can make a parent lose custody in Texas. Generally, the court will deny custody if the parent has a documented history of child abuse, domestic violence, neglect, or chronic substance abuse. If the parent cannot maintain a safe environment, that can also lead to a loss of custody. Other contributing factors include:

• Violating court orders
• Interfering with visitation
• Engaging in criminal activity
• Engaging in parental alienation

Should I Hire a Child Custody Lawyer?

Yes, you should hire a child custody lawyer. It’s recommended that you don’t take chances when your kids are involved, just to be safe. Child custody cases can be unpredictable, especially if your ex is refusing to cooperate or trying to hurt you. A good lawyer can oversee your situation and advocate for what you want.

Hire a Child Custody Lawyer Today

It’s important that you explore all avenues when facing a custody battle, including hiring the right lawyer to guide you through the process in Georgetown. At Heinrich Christian, PLLC, we can bring focus, experience, and empathy to your case. Contact us to speak with someone who can help.