McKinney Child Custody Lawyers

Respected Family Law Attorneys for Child Custody in McKinney, Texas

It is no surprise that the breakdown of parental relationships can directly affect a child's relationship with one or both parents. When unmarried parents choose to live in separate homes, or a couple seeks the legal dissolution of their marriage, the court has a legal obligation to rule in the child's best interest as it addresses issues related to child custody. While these situations can lead to confrontational debates or custody battles, an experienced family law attorney can effectively advocate for your parental rights.

When addressing issues such as where your child will live or how often you will get to see them, we know there is a lot at stake. At Moore Family Law, P.C., our legal advice and guidance will help you navigate concerns about your children's safety and stability, especially if you are involved in a contentious divorce or fierce custody battles. Regardless of your situation, we will help you find solutions that will meet your family's ongoing needs.

Child Custody and Visitation in McKinney

In Texas, child custody is also called "conservatorship." In most divorce cases where spouses share children, parents can act as joint managing conservators. However, there may be some situations where one parent may be granted sole conservatorship over their children, and they will not be legally required to consult with the other parent when making decisions about their children. As is the case with most child custody disputes, the court will decide whether joint or sole conservatorship is appropriate for divorcing or unmarried parents based on the family's unique circumstances.

It is common for both parents to share physical possession of their children, regardless of whether a joint or sole conservatorship is awarded. The custodial parent is the spouse or partner who has the legal right to decide the children's primary residence, while the non-custodial parent may still be granted appropriate visitation time.

Though parents can determine different kinds of visitation agreements, a standard possession order in Texas allows children to spend every other weekend and one evening per night with the non-custodial parent. During the summer, visitation can last up to 30 days. Other arrangements may be made depending on a family's circumstances. Equal physical custody is a common living arrangement in which children may alternate between parents each week or on certain days during the week.

In cases where parents are unmarried, it may be necessary to establish legal paternity before matters related to child custody can be addressed. If the father was not named as a child's parent on their birth certificate, he may not be recognized as a legal parent. Paternity will establish a legal parent/child relationship, allowing the father to request child custody and spend time with the child on a regular basis. Establishing paternity will also ensure that a child can receive child support from the father.

Other factors should be considered carefully when developing comprehensive child custody arrangements, including:

• The child's relationship to each parent
• The ability for each parent to financially support their child
• Each parent's standard of living
• The capability and willingness of each parent to support a healthy connection between their child and the other parent
• Each parent's external commitments and work schedules
• Any special needs of the parent or child

In some cases, parents may need to address concerns about issues that could affect children's safety, health, and well-being, such as accusations of domestic violence or abuse, a parent's incarceration, or substance abuse or criminal activity by a parent. These issues can be complicated to navigate, but our attorneys can provide effective counsel, helping you take immediate action to protect your children and your rights.

Modifying and Enforcing Texas Child Custody Orders

Sometimes, unexpected events or changes affecting a family can alter existing parenting agreements. When dealing with these issues, our attorneys help you request modifications to your child custody agreement that will more accurately reflect your circumstances. We can also help you take action to enforce a court order when necessary. Whether your co-parent is not meeting their child support obligations or has committed other violations of child custody orders, we will help you take steps to safeguard your children's best interests.

Call Our McKinney, TX Child Custody Attorneys

When your relationship with your child is at stake, you will want to make sure you have a well-qualified, compassionate attorney by your side. At Moore Family Law, P.C., we are dedicated to guiding you, supporting you, and advocating for your needs as you address issues related to child custody. Call 214-764-8033 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our McKinney child conservatorship lawyers.