Annetta South, TX Custody Lawyers

If you are getting a divorce, your most pressing questions likely concern your kids. Will you still be able to spend time with them? Will they live with you? Will you be restricted from seeing them everyday? This time can be scary in the life of a parent. If you are facing a custody battle and asking yourself these questions, our Annetta South custody lawyers can help set your mind at ease.

At Youngblood Law, PLLC, we understand that you want what’s best for your children, and we want to arm you with the legal guidance that allows you to make the right choices for them. We can help you with strategies that make custody less toxic and keep your kids shielded from the fallout. 

Reach out to us for a free initial consultation and learn how we can help. 

Understanding Child Custody Legal Terms

If you are in the midst of a custody battle, it is likely that you have encountered some legal terminology with which you are not familiar. Here is a quick crash course on common child custody terms so you can make more informed decisions:

• Conservatorship: Another word for custody, conservatorship can be arranged in a variety of different ways. 

• Possession-and-access: Another word for visitation, which can also be arranged in multiple different ways.  
• Sole custody: Parents with sole custody are empowered to make decisions on behalf of their child without input from the other parent. 
• Joint custody: Parents who share joint custody are both responsible for the child. Joint custody can be arranged equally or one parent might have a greater level of custody than the other.  
• Custodial parent: The parent with whom the child lives.  
• Non-custodial parent: The parent who does not have possession of the child, though they might still retain possession-and-access.

How Our Annetta South Custody Lawyers Can Help

If you and your co-parent can mutually arrange a child custody agreement, you can prevent going to court. Our Annetta South custody lawyers can help you arrange a parenting plan that can be given approval by the court without you having to go in front of a judge. If you are able to decide things out of court, it can save you a lot of time, stress, and expense!

If you do end up in front of a judge, the standard by which child custody is decided is what is in the best interest of the child. A court will ask you many questions to discover what arrangement will best serve the interest of the child and make their experience going forward as stable as possible. Some of the issues that might come into play include:

• Who has been the primary caregiver for the child?
• Who has more time for the child?
• Who has more money for the child?
• Who can provide the most stable environment for the child?
• If the child is old enough, what is their preference?
• Has either parent been abusive or do they suffer from a substance addiction? 

If you have to decide these questions in court, we can help you provide insightful answers and make your case for why your preference is in the best interest of your child. If you intend to allege issues like abuse or addiction, we take these issues just as seriously as you do, and we can help you gather evidence and present your case. 

Youngblood Law Can Help You Do What’s Best For Your Child

If you are fighting for the right child custody arrangement, Youngblood Law and our decades of legal experience are in your corner. Reach out to schedule a free initial consultation and learn how we can help you do what’s best for your children.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can criminal charges cause me to lose custody?

Yes. If you are convicted of a crime, particularly a violent crime, a drug crime, or a sex crime, you are at risk of losing custody. Speak with our team to discuss your options.

Can I move out of state with my children?

If you want to move out of state with your kids and you have sole custody, you are generally free to do so. However, if you share custody or visitation, you must petition the court, and it’s not likely your request will be granted without the cooperation of your co-parent. 

Can I have my child support order modified?

If there has been a change to your circumstances, such as losing your job or taking on new expenses, you can speak with our team about your options to modify your child support order. Generally, requests will be granted if you can prove that there has been some significant change in your financial circumstances.