Euless, TX Custody Lawyers

Having your kids embroiled in a legal battle can be a worst nightmare for a parent. No doubt you want to protect them from the toxicity often associated with divorce and ease their transition into separate households, but you may feel overwhelmed, like you have no control over the situation. With the help of qualified legal counsel, however, you can be more involved in these decisions and help influence outcomes that will serve the best interests of your child.

The Euless custody lawyers of Youngblood Law, PLLC, have helped make arrangements for families while optimizing strategies that will help alleviate your stress and manage any hard feelings. We have over 20 years of experience helping our clients, and we would love to make a difference for your family. Reach out to schedule a free initial consultation and learn how we can offer legal counsel that makes a difference. 

How Our Euless Custody Lawyers Can Help

When arranging child custody, courts will always try to evaluate the needs of the child and make decisions that are in the best interest of the child based on those needs. In order to make the right choices, they will need to evaluate the life of the child, which means that you will need to answer questions such as:

• Who has served as the child’s primary caregiver?
• What options will offer the most stability?
• Does the child have a preference for where they stay?
• Who can best financially manage the daily needs of the child?
• Who can offer a better home life?
• Are there any friends or pets whose loss might cause the child distress?
• Does the child have any special needs that should be taken into account?

All these questions and more can be used to optimize the decisions of the court. There are other issues at play, however. For example, are you planning to allege that the child’s other parent is abusive? That they have a debilitating substance addiction or mental illness? If there are extraordinary circumstances such as these in play, it is vital that you bring them to the attention of the court.

The court wants what’s best for your child, as do our Euless custody lawyers, which is why we can help you best frame the answers to these questions and bring forth any pressing allegations. 

But You May Not Have To Go To Court!

Putting custody decisions in front of a judge comes with risk – the judge is a complete stranger who does not know you or your family, and courtroom battles tend to be tough on children and adults alike. (They are also more expensive). 

If you and your co-parent can work together outside of court to come up with an agreement (like in mediation, where a neutral third-party professional helps you achieve a compromise, or through negotiation, where your attorneys facilitate a compromise), then you can keep your custody case out of court. Even if you and your spouse do not get along, mediation and negotiation can still be good options! 

Those are not good options if you are dealing with an abusive situation, or a situation where you don’t trust your co-parent. In that case, going to court is more likely to result in your desired outcome. 

Legal Terms For Child Custody In Texas

When you enter a child custody legal arrangement, you are likely to hear a few terms and phrases with which you should familiarize yourself. Here are a select few:

• Conservatorship: This is another word for custody and there are many different ways conservatorships can be arranged. 
• Possession-and-access: This is another word for visitation.
• Sole custody: If a parent has sole custody, they are the only parent empowered to make decisions on behalf of their child.
• Joint custody: If parents share joint custody, they are each responsible for the child. Joint custody can be completely equal or one parent might have more time with the child than the other.
• Custodial parent: The custodial parent is the one with whom the child lives.
• Non-custodial parent: The non-custodial parent does not have possession of the child, though they might still retain possession-and-access.

There are many potential legal terms that you will encounter, so if you are ever unsure, be sure to speak to your legal counsel for clarification. 

Youngblood Law Wants What’s Best For Your Family

At Youngblood Law, PLLC, our approach to family law is to eliminate the harmful toxicity that has the potential to cause your child stress and anxiety. We want to help empower you to make the decisions that are best for your family. Reach out to schedule a free initial consultation and learn how we will fight what will best benefit you and your children. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get custody of a child if I am not their parent?

If you are a person in the child’s life, such as a stepparent or grandparent, who has been a significant caregiver for the child, you might have a credible claim for custody or visitation. Speak to our lawyers to explore your options.

Can my child tell the judge their preferences?

If your child is old enough to have an opinion, their preferences can be taken into account by the court, but this is unlikely to be the deciding factor. 

Can I lose custody of my child over criminal charges?

It is entirely likely that you can be denied custody of your child due to criminal charges, especially if these involve child abuse or domestic violence. However, it is not always the case that criminal charges lead to loss of custody or visitation, which is why it’s essential to explore your legal options with your attorney.