Get the Best Legal Representation for Your Child Custody Dispute
Divorce or separation can be a difficult situation, especially when there are children involved. It’s in your family’s best interest to resolve custody disputes quickly and peacefully. But it’s also important to get the results you deserve. The Fort Worth family lawyers at Sean Lynch, PLLC, will aggressively represent your interests to make sure you do.
What Should I Know About Child Custody in Texas?
In Texas, the legal term for custody is “conservatorship.” Instead of being referred to as a “custodian,” a person with court-ordered custody of a child is called a “conservator.” As such, a conservator has the legal rights and responsibilities of a parent.
A conservator is a person, often a parent, who is approved by the court to care for another person — in this case, a child. In Texas, there are three types of conservatorships:
- Joint Managing Conservatorship: Both parents share decision-making about most issues.
- Sole Managing Conservatorship: One parent has the exclusive right to make most decisions about the child.
- Possessory Conservatorship: The parent who is not the Sole Managing Conservator.
The child support guidelines will determine how much support you will pay or receive, but it can also depend on your possession and access. Failure of a parent to take an active role in a child’s life can affect the amount of child support ordered.
Quality Legal Services at a Price You Can Afford
The child custody lawyers at Sean Lynch, PLLC, are pleased to offer some of the most affordable legal services in Fort Worth and Arlington. We are up-front about our pricing so that you know exactly what hourly rate you will pay.
We are able to offer the majority of our services for an initial retainer of $2500; however, some cases, like uncontested matters or enforcement cases, might be less. Likewise, some cases might require additional upfront funds.
What sets us apart from other attorneys is that we do not bill hourly. Rather, we bill out of the initial retainer based on a flat-rate, per event price structure, which is outlined in your contract. This way, you know exactly what to expect on your monthly bill based on what work has been done in your case. No hidden fees, only up-front pricing.
What Is a Joint Managing Conservatorship?
In this arrangement, both parents share decision-making about most issues related to the child. This does not mean, however, that the child’s time is split between both parents. Visitation schedules will be determined by a possession order.
In most joint custody orders, one parent is named the “custodial parent.” This is usually the parent with whom the child primarily lives. While the custodial has the exclusive right to decide where the child lives, this is usually restricted to a certain geographic area.
What Is a Sole Managing Conservatorship?
In cases where it’s deemed necessary by the court, one parent can be named Sole Managing Conservator. This parent will have the exclusive right to make most decisions about the child.
While Texas law prefers that parents be named Joint Managing Conservators, the court may name one parent Sole Managing Conservator if the other parent has a history of the following:
- Family violence
- Child abuse
- Neglect or absence
- Alcohol or drug abuse
If you’re looking to become the Sole Managing Conservator of your child, contact our award-winning DFW child custody attorneys. We will fight aggressively to protect the rights of you and your children.
What Is a Possessory Conservator?
In cases where one parent is named the Sole Managing Conservator, the other parent is usually named the Possessory Conservator. If a nonparent is named the Sole Managing Conservator, both parents will generally be named Possessory Conservators. A Possessory Conservator still has the rights of a parent, yet won’t have the last say on most choices.
Ready to Help You Fight for Custody
Child custody issues are some of the most difficult and heated family law matters. We understand the desire of families to find the best solution for their children, and we recognize that the strong emotional bond between a parent and their children can make a difficult decision all the more painful.
The state of Texas encourages both you and your parenting partner to remain in your children’s lives as much as possible. Research shows that the more time children have with both parents, the better they tend to adjust. Sometimes this is not in the best interest of the children. Determining what arrangement serves the best interest of the child varies widely from case to case.
If you and the other parent are unable to determine a plan for possession and access or child support, the court will step in and make the decision for you. Ultimately, a judge will make a decision based on what is best for the child. With our legal team at your side, you can rest assured that we’ll work toward a solution that best suits your child’s needs.
Benefits of Hiring a Fort Worth Child Custody Attorney
Whether your case is simple or complex, the award-winning DFW child custody attorneys at Sean Lynch, PLLC, will aggressively and affordably defend your interests. We work with families throughout North Texas, including Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington, and are ready to get to work for you.
Many factors go into making decisions regarding child custody rights and child support. The lawyers at Sean Lynch can help you identify the factors that apply to your situation and help you create an agreement that best suits the needs of your children. Contact us via email or by calling 817-668-6704 to discuss your rights and options today.
