A father decides to keep his child an extra day beyond the scheduled visitation. Maybe he thinks it’s harmless. Perhaps he thinks the order was unfair from the start. But when the other parent contacts their attorney, and a violation is filed with the court, things can escalate quickly. A court order is not a…

If you are going through a custody case and have a history of mental health challenges, you are not alone, and you are right to wonder how it might affect the outcome. The good news? A mental health diagnosis does not automatically hurt your chances at custody. Family courts are focused on one thing: the…

It’s not uncommon in Texas custody cases for both parents to be doing everything right. Maybe both hold stable jobs, live in family-friendly neighborhoods, and have loving, healthy relationships with their children. So, what happens when the court sees two excellent parents, each equally capable of raising their kids? How does a court decide custody…

You and your ex-spouse have been getting along better lately. In fact, you both agreed that the current child support amount no longer suits your situation. Perhaps one of you lost a job, or maybe one of you received a raise. So, you talked it through and shook hands on a new monthly amount. No…

If you are considering adoption, allow us to be the first to say congratulations. This is undoubtedly a major step for your growing family, and we couldn’t be happier for you and the child you will soon be providing a home for. That said, it is essential to recognize that adoption can be a lengthy…

10 Rights Every Texas Parent Has (Even Without Custody) When a custody order is put in place, many parents believe that losing primary custody means losing their voice in their child’s life. However, under Texas law, this is not the case. Even if a parent does not have physical custody, they often retain important legal…

You’re sitting in court, nerves shot, waiting for the judge to decide who your kids will live with. Your soon-to-be ex was recently convicted of writing a stack of bad checks—felony charges. You’re thinking, “Surely this knocks them out of the running for custody… right?” Well, not necessarily. A felony conviction doesn’t necessarily mean automatic…

When your marriage began to fall apart, you let frustration overtake you. Instead of working with your wife on a fair parenting plan, you dug in your heels. You refused to answer messages, skipped mediation, and made offhand threats about “taking full custody.” By the time you stepped into court, the judge had already heard…

You thought everything was settled. The divorce papers were signed, custody arrangements were made, and life started to find a new rhythm. But now, your ex has moved across the state for work, and your original visitation schedule doesn’t work anymore. You’re trying to be reasonable, but the weekend handoff feels like a logistical mess.…

In Texas family law (Family Code, Subtitle A, Chapter 105), temporary court orders serve as a stopgap measure to protect the participants and address immediate needs during a divorce or custody dispute. When it comes to children, these orders can cover who has custody, who makes decisions, and how visitation works—at least until the court…