Plano Child Custody Lawyer

Collin County Attorney for Child Custody and Family Law Cases

The idea of what a family should look like has drastically changed in recent years. Blended families are becoming more common and socially acceptable, and nuclear families are no longer the norm. Parents no longer feel as much pressure to marry when they share children. It is also more acceptable for parents to divorce and eventually remarry. No matter how your family grows, changes, and develops over the years, the highest priority should be protecting the safety and happiness of the children. A way in which unmarried parents can better protect their child's interests is by creating a child custody order.

Family law cases are often filled with emotion, and they can often lead to conflict when parents disagree on what is best for each member of the family. Whether matters such as child custody can be handled through negotiation or in a courtroom through litigation, parents will want the proper legal representation. 

At Pfister Family Law, our Plano, Texas child custody lawyers understand how sensitive such matters are. Our team represents clients in cases related to legal and physical custody of their children. 

Components of a Child Custody Case in Plano, TX

It is common knowledge that disagreements about the time divorced or unmarried parents are able to spend with their children and the authority they have in terms of making important decisions about their children's lives can lead to substantial conflict. Child custody orders are often put in place to iron out vital details regarding these issues and ease the conflict between unmarried parents. 

During a Texas child custody dispute, it will be essential to address both legal and physical custody. Legal custody, otherwise referred to as conservatorship, is the responsibility and authority of each parent to make serious decisions about their child's life. This may include the child's education, medical treatment, and religious practices. In many cases, parents will share responsibilities through a joint managing conservatorship agreement. However, in other cases, it may be best for one parent to have sole managing conservatorship.

The time children spend with each parent is what Texas refers to as possession. There are many possible possession arrangements, and they are not dictated by conservatorship. Simply because one parent has sole managing conservatorship does not affect the ability of the other parent to obtain equal possession time. In cases involving domestic abuse and other situations that may put the child in harm, a parent's possession can be restricted.

Once a child custody arrangement has been legally established, it does not necessarily mean it must be permanent. Certain situations may allow for conservatorship and possession orders to be altered. Parents can petition for modification of these orders in specific circumstances. For instance, if a parent has to move for a new job, they may have to file a request for relocation before being able to make the move with their child. 

Ultimately, the court of law will prioritize the child's best interests when solidifying any custody orders. Before making any decisions, the court will likely consider the parent-child relationships, each parent's work schedule, financial situations, and other factors.

Contact a Texas Child Custody Lawyer

When dealing with child custody issues, it is crucial to have an experienced Texas child custody lawyer on your side. At our law firm, we handle all aspects of conservatorship and possession orders in the state of Texas. Our attorneys will compassionately guide you through the legal process and ensure that your rights are upheld.

If you are facing a child custody dispute or other family law conflicts, contact our firm to find out how we can help. Call 972-954-6455 for an initial consultation.