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Texas Child Custody Modifications

Rehashing a custody dispute after the divorce can be very distressing to everyone involved and might do more harm than good. Thus, we encourage anyone considering asking the court for child custody modifications to consider out-of-court remedies first. Resort to a courtroom battle only when necessary.

The attorneys at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, can speak with you about all of your options in handling this particularly sensitive situation.

Houston Child Custody Modification Attorneys

At the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, we understand that situations may have changed regarding your children’s custody. We will ensure that they have the best possible living situation following the modification of your child custody agreement.

If you’re a resident of the greater Houston area consisting of Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Waller, Washington, and Grimes counties and have questions concerning child custody modification in Texas, get in touch with our attorneys schedule a free consultation to discuss the particulars of your case.

It is always important to consider why you want to modify your custody arrangements. Doing it to “get back at” your ex-spouse is never an acceptable reason and will probably hurt your relationship with your children more than help it.

However, there are plenty of valid reasons to consider modifying a custody agreement, including a change in financial resources, better educational opportunities for the child, serious illness or injury of a child or parent, or the child or parent’s preferences.

Out of Court Options

Most parents do not realize that they can choose to modify their custody agreement on their own. Courts almost always agree to the parents’ wishes, as long as they are in the child’s best interest. It is perfectly acceptable to ask the court to make an agreed-to modification of the order, and the court will almost always do so.

It is also possible for the parents to bypass the court altogether and agree that the child will live with one parent instead of the other without formally modifying the order. However, this could be a risky maneuver for the parent taking custody of the child, as the other parent may decide to enforce the still-valid order at any time and take the child back. The risk diminishes after relinquishing the child for over six months, yet the court may still enforce the original order.

Your attorney can explain the risks and benefits of choosing to handle your custody arrangement out of court and help you make the best decision for your family.

Modification by the Court

Courts modify possession orders only if it benefits the child and meets one of these three criteria:

  1. Changed Circumstances: the circumstances of one of the child’s parents must have materially and substantially changed.
  2. Child’s Request: the child (age 12 or older) files a written request with the court
  3. Relinquishment: the custodial parent has given the child to the other parent for at least 6 months.

Examples of changed circumstances include moving very far away or changing your lifestyle significantly (such as starting a new job, which would require the child to be alone at night). There is no clear Texas law regarding whether remarriage is a significant, material change.

You should disclose any changes in lifestyle or location to your lawyer so that he can help you decide whether those changes might be material and significant.

Child Abuse and Family Violence

A parent’s conviction for child abuse or family violence-related offense, or an order of deferred adjudication against the parent, constitutes a change of circumstances justifying order modification.

Limitations on Modification

Children need a stable environment. The State of Texas discourages too many changes to the child’s primary residence. Courts typically reject motions to alter custody arrangements filed within a year of a previous custody order modification. However, the court will allow for the second modification if:

  1. The child’s present environment may endanger the child’s physical health or emotional development, OR
  2. The person who has the right to designate the child’s residence consents and modification is in the child’s best interest, OR
  3. The child has been relinquished for at least 6 months.

Ebook

undefined If you want to know more about what you can do, CLICK the button below to get your FREE E-book: “Child Custody E-Book”

Other Articles you may be interested in:

  1. 12 Texas Custody & Conservatorship Battle Tips
  2. Child Custody Basics in Texas
  3. Do I Have to Pay Child Support if I Have Joint Custody of My Child in Texas?
  4. Child Custody Basics in Texas
  5. Are Dads at a Disadvantage when trying to win 50/50 custody in a Texas Divorce?
  6. Sole Managing Conservator in a Child Custody Case in Texas?
  7. Help!! My Ex-Spouse Kidnapped my Child
  8. How Much Will My Texas Child Custody Case Cost?
  9. When Can a Minor Child Weigh in on Custody Decisions in Texas?
  10. Child Custody Geographic Restrictions in Texas
  11. Borderline personality disorder in a divorce
  12. Courts require valid reasons for modifying visitation rights

 

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Contact Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC Today!

At the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, the firm wants to get to know your case before they commit to work with you. They offer all potential clients a no-obligation, free consultation where you can discuss your case under the client-attorney privilege. This means that everything you say will be kept private and the firm will respectfully advise you at no charge. You can learn more about Texas divorce law and get a good idea of how you want to proceed with your case.

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