CUSTODY VISITATION PROFESSIONALS AT WORK FOR YOU

An Experienced Family Law Team Working to Protect Your Children

Child custody is almost invariably the most contested aspect in a divorce case. It is also among the most traumatic and emotional aspects for everyone involved. Determining who has custody of the children, as well as who can make decisions in their lives, tends to be a lengthy and complex process that requires the counsel of a team that is equal parts compassion and skill.

At Ball Morse Lowe, our child custody lawyers in Frisco are fully committed to fighting for the best interests of both you and your children, in all family law matters. We understand how intensely our work affects the lives of you, your partner, and your children.

Factors Affecting Child Custody in Texas

There are a wide variety of considerations that go into deciding which parent gets custody. This decision will have a massive impact on the child’s life and future, and it is something that everyone involved wants to get right. In addition to determining where the child will live, this process will grant one parent the power to make final decisions regarding health care, education, and religious considerations.

There are several things that courts are looking for as they decide custody for children, including:

• Stability of each home
• Working schedule of each parent
• The parenting ability of each party
• The relationship of the child with each parent
• Instances of domestic violence or substance abuse
• The overall well-being of the child, both emotionally and physically
• The geographical location of each parent's home (such as distance to child's school)
• A spouse who is more likely to comply with court orders and grant regular visitation

Neither the mother nor the father will be given automatic preference. Instead, judges are likely to award some type of custody to both parents unless there are reasons not to do so. Visitation schedules may also be discussed at that time. Our team at Ball Morse Lowe PLLC can provide counsel with regard to child visitation laws in Texas and schedules.

What Are Father’s Rights in Texas?

Establishing paternity is the first and most crucial step for unmarried parents, particularly if the father wishes to uphold his rights for child custody and child support cases, (Texas abides by the "presumption of paternity" for married parents, in that it is assumed that the husband is also the child's father). The term “father’s rights” refers to the rights a father has for custody and visitation of his child.

In most states, if the father’s name is on the child’s birth certificate, the state will automatically recognize him as the child’s legal father – by doing so, the father and mother have an equal amount of standing in the court. Texas' policy in regards to father’s rights assures that minor children are to have frequent and continuous contact with parents who have shown and proved the ability to act in the best interest of the child.

Our Frisco Child Custody Attorney Can Defend Your Parental Rights

At Ball Morse Lowe PLLC, we approach every family law case as a team. Clients will have three people in our office assigned to your case: the primary trial attorney who will be one of the partners in the firm, an associate attorney, and a staff employee to assist with administrative functions. We have some of the most experienced associate lawyers around, and they have tried cases, conducted hearings, and handled some of the most complicated family law matters, and they will be working regularly on your case.