Texas Child Custody Lawyers

Let Us Help You Find the Best Custody Lawyers in Texas for Your Family’s Future

When you’re going through a divorce, protecting your children’s best interests is one of your highest priorities. You’re not alone; it’s one of our highest priorities, too. Our clients often report that the impact that divorce will have on their children is one of their primary concerns.

Centering Your Family’s Needs—Every Step of the Way

Most mothers and fathers recognize that having a positive and nurturing relationship with both parents is an important part of a child’s self-esteem and well-being. However, the stress and negative emotions that accompany most family law disputes can, in the heat of the moment, interfere with a parent’s ability to recognize the harm caused by ongoing parental conflicts. Hiring an accomplished, family-focused child custody lawyer in Dallas, TX, can help you to navigate the divorce process as calmly and skillfully as possible.

At Goranson Bain Ausley, we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver sound legal advice while guiding clients through contentious, emotional situations with minimal stress. Our custody lawyers for mothers and fathers strive to avoid unnecessary pain for your family, putting your family’s needs at the center of everything we do. Every local Texas attorney on our team understands that the care of your child is your number one priority as a parent. We also know that it is essential for parents to actively manage the emotional impact of custody litigation on themselves in order to better protect the child or children from collateral harm. When you work with an Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Granbury, or Plano custody lawyer at Goranson Bain Ausley, know that while we always aggressively protect our clients’ rights, we also strive to keep the best interests of their children at the forefront by keeping them out of litigation.

How is Child Custody Determined in Texas?

The process for establishing custody varies depending on whether or not a divorce is involved, and, if so, on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested. If you’re not a party to a divorce, you’ll begin custody proceedings by filing a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR). But either way, it’s wise to start by contacting a custody lawyer in Austin or Dallas, TX, who can advise you on the next steps. These will likely include collecting medical, employment, and financial records and any other evidence applicable to your case.

Child custody matters can be stressful, but it’s important to remember that the custody determination process is designed to help protect the best interests of the children involved. A well-crafted parenting plan is also a critical foundation for harmonious co-parenting. An experienced, compassionate child custody attorney in Dallas or Austin can facilitate cooperation and help you create an agreement that’s focused on your child’s needs.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

If you have questions or need help with child custody, we are here to help. An attorney specializing in child custody can answer questions you may have and provide an evaluation of your case.

*CLICK HERE TO READ DISCLAIMER

Contacting GBA through this website does not establish an attorney-client relationship between you and GBA.

Our duties to our current and former clients require that we observe certain formalities before agreeing to represent anyone in a new matter. Before undertaking a new matter, our duties to current and former clients require us to determine whether there is any actual or potential conflict of interest that would preclude us from accepting the new matter. No attorney-client relationship can or will be established between you and GBA until GBA has determined that no conflict of interest exists between you and any of its current and former clients. Prior to the establishment of a formal attorney-client relationship, you should not send or disclose any confidential information to anyone at GBA by letter, fax, telephone, or email as any information received from you by GBA prior to that time will not be considered confidential or privileged and will not be protected from disclosure.

Prior to the establishment of an attorney-client relationship with GBA, you may be asked to provide information about your matter via a service called Settify. Any confidential information you provide to Settify will not be disclosed to GBA unless and until it has been determined that GBA has no conflict of interest that would preclude it from undertaking your matter.

TEXAS CHILD CUSTODY

FAQ

Visitation Rights

For the majority of parents, the visitation or possession schedule they will have with their children is the most important thing they will decide. Goranson Bain Ausley lawyers are there to help you hold productive discussions about what schedule is best for you and your children.
LGBTQ+ Parenting Rights

Establishing parental rights can be a challenging process, especially for LGBTQ couples. Factors that go into establishing parental rights include marital status, who the biological parent is, and how the child was conceived. An experienced Goranson Bain Ausley attorney can walk you through this complex process.
Paternity

For unmarried parents, there is value in establishing paternity, including establishing visitation and child support. With the introduction of blood and DNA tests, paternity can be determined with virtually 100 percent accuracy. While testing is easy, you’ll want an experienced attorney to help you through the process.
Parenting Schedules

We listen carefully to you to get to know the ages and needs of your children, both parents’ work schedules and availability, and your ability to keep to certain schedules so that your children’s lives are minimally disrupted. We’ll make sure you understand the Standard Possession Order provided by the Texas Family Code and help you decide whether this schedule will work for your family. If not, we’ll help you craft a schedule that does.
Grandparent Visitation and Custody Rights in Texas

Grandparents can play a pivotal role in their grandchild’s life, which is why every state has some form of grandparent visitation. In Texas, a court will grant grandparent visitation if it’s in the best interest of the child and if specific circumstances exist. When it comes to grandparents gaining custody of their grandchildren, the situation gets even more complex. We can help you navigate the ins and outs of each process.

Our Child Custody Services

What is Standard Child Custody in Texas?

Currently, Texas Family Code sets a standard possession order as follows:

Non-custodial parents who live within 100 miles of their children have the right to possession on the first, third, and fifth weekends of every month, on Thursday evenings during the school year, on alternating holidays, and for an extended period of time (up to 30 days) during summer vacation.
If non-custodial parents live farther than 100 miles apart, the weekend schedule may be reduced to one weekend per month, the midweek visit is canceled, the summer break is extended to 42 days, and a spring break is added.

If the child/children’s safety is a concern, a judge can also issue a supervised possession order that requires visits with non-custodial parents be supervised by a family member or other third party. When you work with a custody attorney at our firm, we’ll work hard to make sure that your child’s best interests are protected.

2023 Standard Possession Calendar

We are dedicated to providing all of our clients with valuable resources that will help them in their divorce journey. Use the button below to download our 2023 Standard Possession Schedule Calendar.

2023 Standard Possession Calendar

Get Divorce Help From a Respected Plano, Austin, or Dallas, Texas, Custody Attorney

If you’re at the beginning of the divorce process, it’s normal to have a lot of questions and even some anxiety about what the future looks like for you and for your family. But you don’t have to go through it alone. Divorce is a stressful time for everybody involved, and we understand that you want the best custody lawyer in Texas on your side to help make the process easier. Whether you live in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Granbury, or Plano, a child custody lawyer with Goranson Bain Ausley can help you feel confident about the road ahead for you and your family.

Trusted and Experienced Child Custody Lawyers in Texas

At Goranson Bain Ausley, we understand that child custody decisions are some of the most emotionally charged decisions that you will make during a divorce. Every trusted and local custody attorney at our firm is here to help support you with clear legal advice while also facilitating a constructive, solution-oriented approach that will help you arrive at the best possible arrangement for your family. Reach out to an Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Granbury, or Plano child custody lawyer at our firm today to get started.

Cassidy Pearson

Chandler Rice Winslow

P. Lindley Bain

Katie Flowers Samler

Megan Decadi

Rachel Rizzieri Feist

Angeline Lindley Bain

Sarah Aminzadeh Milinsky

Angelica Rolong Cormier

Kelly Caperton Fischer

meet our team

Get in Touch

At Goranson Bain Ausley we strive to deliver clarity about what comes next and confidence that you and your family’s future are more secure. Contact our team and discover how we can help you.