A Corpus Christi Custody Lawyer: Protecting Your Child’s Future

When you face a disagreement over child custody or visitation rights, the anxiety can overtake everything. When a legal conflict threatens the well-being of your child, a dedicated child custody lawyer can protect your parental rights and look out for the best interests of your child.

I am Veronica Garza, and I am the founder of The Garza Law Firm. Since beginning my legal career in 2004, I have focused on providing compassionate family law representation to families in the Corpus Christi area.

Understanding How Child Custody Is Recognized In Texas

In Texas, the legal term for child custody is conservatorship. A court order must establish conservatorship to define the parents’ rights and duties regarding their child. Essentially, Texas courts define custody as:

• Managing conservatorship: This is what other states call legal custody. It refers to a parent’s right to make major decisions about the child’s life, such as their education, medical treatment and religious upbringing.
• Joint managing conservatorship: This is the equivalent of joint custody and allows both parents to share the legal rights and responsibilities of raising a child. Courts prefer this. However, one parent is usually named the custodial parent and given the exclusive right to decide the child’s primary residence.
• Sole managing conservatorship: This is the same as sole custody, where one parent has the exclusive right to make most decisions for the child. Courts typically only order this when there is a history of family violence, child abuse or substance abuse by the other parent, or if the other parent has been absent from the child’s life.
• Possessory conservatorship: This is also known as physical custody and visitation. If one parent is named as the sole managing conservator, the other parent can still have the right to physical possession at certain times.

Texas custody and visitation laws are complicated. Throughout your entire case, I will provide clear guidance and reassurance so you feel supported and informed.

How Are Custody And Conservatorships Decided In Texas?

The single most important factor a court considers when deciding child custody is the best interest of the child. The judge evaluates numerous factors to determine the best possible environment for a child. These include:

• The emotional and physical needs of the child, both current and future
• The stability of each parent’s home environment
• The duties of each parent
• The plans each parent has for the child’s care and upbringing
• Any history of physical or emotional danger to the child
• The relationship and level of cooperation between the parents
• If the child is 12 or older, the court may consider their expressed wishes

Custody is often decided on a temporary basis early in the process and then finalized in a final divorce decree or a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) order. Depending on the facts of your case, highly contested child custody cases can take time to resolve. I work hard to streamline the process for my clients.

What Visitation Rights Do Parents Have?

In Texas, the term “possession and access” is used instead of visitation rights. A Standard Possession Order (SPO) sets out a detailed schedule for when each parent has the child. The SPO is designed to maximize the time the noncustodial parent spends with the child while providing a consistent, predictable schedule. As your Corpus Christi custody lawyer, I will make sure you understand and protect your visitation rights under Texas law.

Can Custody Be Modified?

Court orders regarding child custody and parental rights can be modified if the modification is in the child’s best interest and the parents agree, or if there has been a substantial change in circumstances. If you believe a modification to your current custody arrangement is necessary, I can help you file the appropriate modification petition. I also handle modifications for child support.

Speak With A Texas Custody Lawyer

Child custody disputes require careful planning and a clear understanding of Texas family law. I handle every case personally. Together, we will assess your legal options and develop a strategy designed to protect your relationship with your child and secure their future. To schedule an appointment, you can call my Corpus Christi office at 361-579-1042. You can also send me a message through my website.