Texas Family Law Courts: Child Custody Essential Knowledge

Today’s blog post will be a continuation of yesterday’s where we discussed some basic information about divorce, custody, and conservatorship in Texas. While we cannot hit on every subject that may be relevant to your family or your divorce, we hope to at least get through many subjects that will be relevant to many people. With that said, let’s begin our discussion today by going over information regarding where your child may be residing after your divorce.

Where exactly will your child reside after the divorce is finalized?

Many people get divorced just to ensure that their children will no longer have to be exposed to fights between themselves and their spouses. Unfortunately, people have to make life-altering decisions like this but they happen with regularity. While there are assumptions that the mother always ends up having the child stay with her after divorce this is not always the case. If you are a father who is interested in having your child reside with you primarily after your divorce then this section is for you.

One of the rights that are inherent in any conservatorship is the ability to determine the primary residence of the child. This is a right that is typically either agreed to by the parties or assigned by the judge after a trial is had. The old stereotype is that the mother always wins the battle to be named primary conservator. While this is often true, it is only the case to the extent that the mother is typically the parent who wants to be named the primary conservator and has also served in this capacity while the parties were living together.

If you as a father want to be named the primary conservator and have the right to determine the primary residence of the child then it is up to you to come into the divorce with a history of caring for your child on a level that is equal to that of your wife. If you were working most of the time your child was home during your marriage then don’t expect the judge to allow you time to make up for that. Come into the divorce with a strong case to become the primary parent and there’s a strong case to be made that you should be.

What happens if your spouse is named Sole Managing Conservator

Suppose that in your divorce your spouse is named Sole Managing Conservator. We discussed yesterday that the default setting for parents is to be named Joint Managing Conservators. That designation allows parents to share equally (in most things) in decision-making, rights, and duties to their child. Sole Managing Conservators do not share equally on these fronts due to the past behavior of one spouse. If you are involved in a divorce and the judge names your spouse as sole managing conservator this will not end the relationship between yourself and your child, however.

The court’s main goal is to encourage the continued relationship between parents and children in a divorce. Possession and access to your child do not necessarily have to be affected by your being only a possessory conservator of your child versus your spouse being named sole managing conservator. The Texas Standard Possession Order outlines that the first, third, and fifth weekends of each month are yours to have your child as well as extended periods during the summer months. Holidays and Spring Break are alternated between you and your spouse as well.

What is a geographic restriction?

Suppose, on the other hand, that you are named the parent with the ability to determine the primary residence of your child after a trial. While this is great news for you it does not come without limitation. You will likely be restricted to where you can live to allow your ex-spouse to live close to your child.

For example, without a geographic restriction, you would be able to pick up and move with any frequency that you choose to any location that you choose. This would put your ex-spouse in a position where he or she would have to move every time that you do to keep up and keep near to your child. This is no way to create a stable and consistent home for your child and therefore the majority of final orders mandate that your home will be restricted either to the county in which you reside or the county in which you reside as well as the adjoining counties to your home county.

Will your child be able to tell the judge where he or she wants to live?

This is another question that I field pretty frequently from clients and prospective clients of the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC. Many parents believe that after one or two “talks” about the subject that their child is hell-bent on living with him or her and not the other parent. It’s with this information in mind that he or she will confidently stroll into our office with the preference of their child as to where he or she lives fresh in their mind.

Unfortunately, I have to tell them that their divorce may not be made any easier even with this information in mind. First of all, children over the age of 12 have to be able to speak with the judge if a parent requests it or the judge requests it on their motion. Children younger than 12 may also confer with the judge in their office but it is up to the judge to determine if the request will be granted.

What each judge discusses with each child is anybody’s guess, but the judge does not have to listen to or make their decision based on what the child says. The opinion of the child will be a part of the information that the judge utilizes to decide as to which parent the child will live with primarily.

Questions on child support? Come back tomorrow to learn more

Every important subject of child support will be discussed in tomorrow’s blog post from the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC. In the meantime, if you have any questions about family law in Texas please do not hesitate to contact our office. A free-of-charge consultation with one of our licensed family law attorneys is available six days per week.

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If you want to know more about what you can do, CLICK the button below to get your FREE E-book: “16 Steps to Help You Plan & Prepare for Your Texas Divorce”

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Other Articles you may be interested in regarding Houston Court Local Rules:

1. 3 Important Facts about Texas Alimony and Spousal Support
2. Alimony or Spousal Support and a Disabled Spouse in Harris and Montgomery Counties in Texas
3. Texas Family Law Courts: Temporary Orders in a Divorce case
4. Texas Family Law Courts: Beginning the Divorce Process
5. Texas Family Law Courts: Divorce essentials
6. Texas Family Law Courts: Mediation and Divorce Essentials
7. Texas Family Law Courts: What to Expect
8. Harris County, Texas Family Law Court – 245TH Judicial District Local Rules
9. 247TH Judicial District Local Rules
10. 246TH Judicial District Local Rules
11. Harris County, Texas Family Law Court – 308TH Judicial District Local Rules
12. Harris County, Texas Family Law Court – 257TH Judicial District Local Rules
13. Why is Separate Property Important and How to Keep it Separate in a Texas Divorce?

Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC | Houston, Texas Divorce Lawyers

The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC routinely handles matters that affect children and families. If you have questions regarding divorce, it’s important to speak with one of our Houston, TX Divorce Lawyers right away to protect your rights.

Our divorce lawyers in Houston TX are skilled at listening to your goals during this trying process and developing a strategy to meet those goals. Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC by calling (281) 810-9760 or submit your contact information in our online form. The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC handles Divorce cases in Houston, Texas, Cypress, Klein, Humble, Kingwood, Tomball, The Woodlands, Houston, the FM 1960 area, and surrounding areas, including Harris County, Montgomery County, Liberty County, Chambers County, Galveston County, Brazoria County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County.