Deciding Custody and Visitation Rights

When a couple decides to seek a divorce, there are several issues that must be addressed and joint responsibilities
and ownerships that must be divided in two. When children are involved in a divorce, an entirely different
list of issues also comes into play, including child support and child custody. Child custody addresses
the questions of who will become the custodial parent for the child and how time with the children will
be shared with each parent.

When a couple with children decides to divorce, they can opt to create their own child custody agreement
without intervention from the courts. If each spouse can agree on a plan for child custody, the plan
is drafted and submitted to the court. Usually the court will approve the couple’s agreement as long
as it coincides with the children’s best interests. Judges like to see cooperation between parents and
would rather not have to decide custody for a couple.

Unfortunately, sometimes parents can not come up with a custody agreement. In this case the dispute
will be brought before the court and the court will decide custody. Custody battles can be costly, time-consuming,
and heart wrenching for both parents. Typically the parents are fighting over who will be the custodial
parent, since the children cannot live in two places at once. Under Texas law, typically both parents
are appointed as Joint Managing Conservators and the non-custodial parent is granted at least the minimum
access specified in the Standard Possession Order.

Contact Us

If you are married with children and are considering or anticipating divorce, consider consulting with
a divorce lawyer to discuss the details of child custody. A lawyer can protect your interests as a parent
and help ensure that your right to access is upheld.

To learn more about deciding child custody and visitation rights, please
contact experienced Austin divorce attorneys Slater, Kennon & Pugh Ltd.LLP today at 512-472-2431.