Fight for Your Children's Future with the Best Fort Worth Child Custody Attorney on Your Side!

If a family law Judge is being asked to make a decision on child custody, they will consider the following.

Does Either Parent Pose a Danger to the Child

First and foremost, the Judge will want to hear if there are any factors that could impact the safety of the children involved. This may include any criminal history, history of abuse or violence, history or current use of drugs and alcohol or cruelty.

However, it is also important to understand that just because you have a criminal history, or history of substance abuse does not mean the other spouse automatically gets sole custody. If your history is in the past, and you have worked hard to clean your life up and reform, and you can showcase this to the Judge, your history may not be used against you.

If you are either accusing a spouse of being a danger, or defending allegations, you need to work with a skilled attorney that can help you present your case.

The Parents’ Stability

The Judge will want to look at how stable each parent is, and their ability to carry on providing a stable and loving home to their child. If your spouse cannot hold down a job, but you have had a stable career for several years, this may play in your favor for example.

You and your spouse have a legal commitment to meet your children’s financial needs, and this commitment remains even after your divorce.

Parent Involvement in Child’s Upbringing

The Judge will also look at how involved you and your spouse have been in the upbringing of your children so far. They will look at who takes the child to important events like weekly sporting commitments, the doctors and the dentists. If you are the parent that goes to parents’ evenings and such, you should present this in your case.

The Emotional and Physical Needs of the Child

As well as the commitment to meet your children’s financial needs, you also have a legal right to meet their emotional and physical needs. This means that a family law Judge will want to investigate each parent and their ability to meet these needs, both now, and in the future.

The Judge will look badly upon any parent that has been seen to be engaging in behavior that could alienate the other parent or influence their opinions.

Closeness to Important Social Circles and Family Circles

Bonds made with close family circles or social circles such as dance clubs or sporting clubs are important. The court will want the child to maintain these bonds wherever possible.

Visitation Orders & Parenting Plans

Your child custody lawyer’s main goals will be to help you and your spouse come to an agreement in terms of custody, visitation orders, visitation schedules, and parenting plans without the need for court involvement.

If they can help you come to these arrangements without court involvement, you will save a lot of time and money and have a lot more control over the decisions.

While the alternating weekend plan is common, there are a huge variety of other arrangements that you may come to. Some parents agree to an alternating week schedule instead.

Enforcing Child Visitation Orders

Once your child’s visitation schedules have been agreed upon and finalized by a Judge, they become legally binding and if your ex starts violating these orders, preventing you from seeing your children, this is a violation of these orders. If this continues, you may need to involve your attorney who can explain to your ex the severity of what they are doing.

If they continue, you may need to seek help from the courts, which can legally enforce these orders.

Child Support

A child custody lawyer can be a valuable asset in child support discussions. They will have a comprehensive understanding of the relevant laws and regulations and can provide insight into how child support matters should be handled.

They can assist with negotiations between parties, and can provide guidance on a wide range of issues such as determining the appropriate amount of child support, setting up payment schedules, and addressing issues such as medical insurance and educational expenses.

Negotiation and Mediation

Reducing the need for court involvement is always in the best interests of both parties. Court involvement means a hearing for every single issue, which can take weeks, even months, for each issue, and also add court costs to the proceedings.

This means that wherever possible, we use negotiation and mediation tactics to help spouses come to their custody agreements without the need for court intervention.

Our Fort Worth, TX, Child Custody Lawyers Today

Child custody cases are difficult for everyone involved, but by working with a dedicated attorney, you can move into a brighter new future, protecting your interests and those of your children.

While it may not seem like it now, it can be massively beneficial to preserve your relationship with your ex-spouse as much as possible. Later on down the line, it will be in the best interests of your children if you and your ex-spouse are amicable.

Call us today at 817-369-3970 to discuss your case.