Colleyville, TX Custody Lawyers

Divorce is an emotional process, and those volatile emotions are bound to be compounded when you need to set up a child custody arrangement. Naturally you want to shield your children from any toxicity or fighting, but you also want to be sure that you won’t be losing out on time with them. 

Working with experienced Colleyville custody lawyers such as those at Youngblood Law, PLLC, will allow you to have an active voice in creating a custody arrangement that will benefit both you and your child. Reach out to schedule a free consultation with us and learn how we can make a positive difference in arranging your child custody.

Child Custody Terminology

When you are navigating the legal process of arranging child custody, you are likely to come across some terms that describe the types of arrangements recognized by the law. There are two common terms that define the type of access that you will potentially have to your children: 

• Conservatorship: This is another word for custody and the two can be used interchangeably. There are multiple varieties of conservatorships, the two most common being sole custody and joint custody.

• Possession and access: This is another phrase for visitation and can be used interchangeably. There are a variety of ways that possession and access can be arranged as the name refers to when you have your child in your care or when you have access to them.

When it comes to conservatorship, there are multiple ways that it can be set up, but these are the two most common options you will encounter:

• Sole custody: When a parent has sole custody, they are the parent with whom the child resides. They are also the one who has control over the decisions regarding the child–where they will live, go to school, day-to-day activities, etc.

• Joint custody: Joint custody means that both parents get a say in the life and decisions made on behalf of the child, and it is likely that the child splits time between the homes of each parent. Joint custody is usually divided evenly, but not always.

Finally, there are two ways to refer to how possession of the child is discussed:

• Custodial parent: The custodial parent is the parent with whom the child lives.

• Non-custodial parent: The non-custodial parent is the opposite–the child does not live with them, but this parent may still retain visitation rights.

If you have questions about any other terms relating to your child custody arrangement, our Colleyville custody lawyers can help clarify. 

How Does A Judge Decide A Child Custody Arrangement?

When a judge is deciding child custody, they will always defer to decisions that they feel are in the best interest of the child and will allow the child to enjoy the best possible quality of life. Usually this means that the child will have some level of access to both parents, except in the event that one or both parents have been abusive or suffer from substance abuse problems or debilitating mental illness. 

When deciding a custody arrangement, here are some factors that a judge will take into account when deciding what is and is not in a child’s best interests:

• Does the child have a special bond with either parent?
• Is one parent the primary caregiver?
• Does one parent have a restrictive work schedule?
• Can one parent provide a better home or overall better quality of life?
• Which parent will be able to provide the most stability and consistency?
• Is there a sibling/friend/teacher/pet with whom the child is especially attached?

These considerations and more will be key in deciding how your custody will be arranged. Speak with the lawyers at Youngblood Law, PLLC, to discuss what other relevant factors in your marriage might influence the court’s decision.

Our Colleyville Custody Lawyers Care About The Wellbeing Of You And Your Child

We understand that you want what’s best for your child, and we want to work with you to make the arrangement of your dreams a reality. Reach out to schedule a free consultation and learn how Youngblood Law can help you with the goals of your divorce and child custody concerns.