Child Custody & Support
Texas Custody Attorney & Support Lawyer
Lindsey J. Wilson is an attorney who can help you solve child custody and support problems
Parenting plans for custody and support should focus on the “best interests” of the child. This is the legal standard that Texas courts use when determining custody cases. Parents may not agree on what is in a child’s best interests. One parent might believe the child is better off living with them most of the time. The other parent might disagree. Parents could be at odds regarding healthcare for their children, or where the child should attend school.
For dealing with these types of situations and other thorny issues, a custody and support lawyer can be a tremendous help. We strive to thoroughly evaluate your challenges and help resolve your disputes.
Types of custody
Joint custody means that both parents take part in having the child live with them and in making major care decisions. Major decisions address the child’s healthcare, schooling, religious upbringing and extra-curricular activities. In some shared parenting arrangements, children spend equal amounts of time at each residence.
Research shows that children do better with both parents in their lives. Therefore, courts favor joint custody whenever possible.
Sole custody would grant full physical custody and major care decisions to only one parent. The child would live with the sole custody parent, and other parent would have visitation rights. Sole custody is typically only granted in cases of severe child abuse and/or domestic violence cases.
What Factors Do Courts Weigh in Custody Cases?
As mentioned before, “the best interest of the child” is the main guiding factor. To decide what is in child’s best interest, the following are some factors courts evaluate:
- Where the child will feel most stable (living in the same house or attending the same school, living nearby their friends)
- Whether the parent is able to satisfy the child’s needs (financially, physically, emotionally and with enough time to devote to the child)
- How living arrangements will affect the child’s relationships with sisters or brothers (having primary residences in the same or different homes)
- The child’s preference (particularly when children are 12 or older)
Types of custody
Joint custody means that both parents take part in having the child live with them and in making major care decisions. Major decisions address the child’s healthcare, schooling, religious upbringing and extra-curricular activities. In some shared parenting arrangements, children spend equal amounts of time at each residence.
Research shows that children do better with both parents in their lives. Therefore, courts favor joint custody whenever possible.
Sole custody would grant full physical custody and major care decisions to only one parent. The child would live with the sole custody parent, and other parent would have visitation rights. Sole custody is typically only granted in cases of severe child abuse and/or domestic violence cases.
What Factors Do Courts Weigh in Custody Cases?
As mentioned before, “the best interest of the child” is the main guiding factor. To decide what is in child’s best interest, the following are some factors courts evaluate:
- Where the child will feel most stable (living in the same house or attending the same school, living nearby their friends)
- Whether the parent is able to satisfy the child’s needs (financially, physically, emotionally and with enough time to devote to the child)
- How living arrangements will affect the child’s relationships with sisters or brothers (having primary residences in the same or different homes)
- The child’s preference (particularly when children are 12 or older)
Working Out Child Support Arrangements
When the child resides with one parent more than the other, the other parent must pay child support. Texas guidelines determine child support calculations. Basically, child support is a percentage of the parent’s net income. Covering medical insurance also falls under child support.
Changes in employment or income can affect the amount of support a parent owes for the child. You can simplify the support determination process by having an attorney help you with child support calculations. We’re glad to answer your questions and explain how to determine net income.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Family Needs
I trust Lindsey Wilson with all of my family law needs. ~ Daniel M.
How Can We Help?
Would you like to better understand your legal options? Are you unsure about making the right decisions?
Give us a call at 469-933-6091 or use our online form online form to reach us.
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Our location
Law Office of Lindsey J. Wilson
4305 Windsor Centre Trl, Ste 500
Flower Mound, Tx 75028
Phone: 469.933.6091
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How to Get Started
We can help you work out all the details of child custody and support. Our firm can be reached at 469.993.6091 or through our online form.