subject: Houston Texas Divorce Attorneys on Child Custody Issues and How to Enforce Them [print this page] Houston Texas Divorce Attorneys on Child Custody Issues and How to Enforce Them
Never-Ending Child Custody Battles
The sad reality is that most divorces are not good, easy, painless, or cheap. However, skilled Houston Texas divorce attorneys can do much to ease the difficulties inherent in a divorce.
So, when assessing Houston family attorneys comparatively to select the right one to represent your divorceespecially when a child custody issue is involvedchoose an attorney with a strong reputation, a compassionate demeanor, and deep experience in litigating child custody cases. Doing so may help you avoid painful and costly child custody battles.
Resolving battles through modification
Everyone involved in a divorce is charged with doing what is in the best interest of a child. Unfortunately, when parents cannot agree, the courts are called upon to settle their disputes. After a divorce, circumstances may change in the attitude and level of cooperation, in the financial circumstances, or in the schedules of one of the parents. When you experience such changes, your child custody lawyer can help you modify your custody order to better meet the needs of your children and yourself.
The presumption in Texas and Houston divorce law is that
Joint custody is in the best interest of any child or children of a divorce
Parents who are divorced or separated should be jointly managing conservators who share in the rights and duties of parenting
That is the ideal. But in some cases, joint managing conservatorship is not appropriate and the custodial parent may need to be appointed as the sole managing conservator.
As a child Houston TX child custody lawyers, I often assist clients in developing a parenting plan that is workable under the circumstances of their cases and in the best interest of the child. It is important to keep matters such as safety, security, and comfort at the forefront of all custody decisions.
Resolving custody issues through enforcement
Enforcement proceedings make sure that all parties abide by the court orders and decrees. Sometimes it is necessary to file an enforcement case when one parent violates parental rights or refuses to follow the court-ordered visitation terms.
Family violence is another reason for enforcement cases. If the court finds that family violence has occurred and is likely to repeat in the future, it renders a protective order to guard victims of family violence and may limit contact between parties. If a person violates a protective order, that person can be arrested and may be subject to criminal prosecution.
Termination of parental rights
Sadly, on occasion, it is necessary to terminate a parent's legal relationship with his or her child. Termination of parental rights is final and irrevocable. It should not be done without careful consideration. Termination cases typically arise when a child has been removed from one or both parents by Children's Protective Services due to abuse or neglect and is involuntary. Termination cases also arise when the child is to be adopted, including step-parent adoptions.
