Age and health of the parents (or a non-parent conservator involved in the matter) Special needs of any involved parties. Stability of home environment of the child. Child's relationship with siblings or other family members (and how that would be impacted by the judge's decision)
There are two major triggers that will almost automatically determine a parent unfit for custody: abuse and neglect. If there is any history of domestic violence, a parent will not get physical custody. Outside of abuse and neglect, courts will look at a few things, including: A history of drugs or alcohol.
The length of time a custody case takes depends entirely on whether the parents can reach an agreement, and how quickly that occurs. An uncontested custody case could take only a couple of months or less. However, the process can take over a year if it's contested.
A mother's serious neglect that endangers the health, safety, education, or general welfare of the child should cause the mother to lose custody of her child. Neglect that may cause a mother to lose custody of her child includes conduct that jeopardizes necessities. This includes food, shelter, clothing, and education.
A father would need to gather evidence and present documentation that there is a history of physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, violence, neglect, or another intentional form of misbehavior by the other parent against the child. There is a time restriction, however.
While it is possible for one parent to win full custody of the children after a divorce, it is usually an uphill climb, legally. Texas courts begin every custody case with the presumption that it's always better for the divorced parents to share custody in a joint managing conservatorship.
Child Neglect
Failing to provide adequate medical or dental care for a child, which creates a substantial risk of bodily injury, disfigurement, or death. Placing a child in or failing to remove him or her from a situation where the child is exposed to a significant risk of physical, emotional, or mental harm.
Fathers' Rights in Texas
In a divorce case in Texas, the father and mother of the child will have an equal chance to convince the judge that either of them should be named the primary conservator of the child. Both of them start on equal footing.
(a) A person commits an offense if, with the intent to interfere with the lawful custody of a child younger than 18 years, he knowingly entices, persuades, or takes the child from the custody of the parent or guardian or person standing in the stead of the parent or guardian of such child.
One frequently-used option is the 4-3 schedule, where the child spends four days a week with one parent and three days with the other. The 2-2-5-5 schedule is also used by many families. The child spends two days with each parent, then five days with each parent. Then the cycle repeats.
According to the Texas Young Lawyer's Pro Se Divorce Handbook [PDF], a "prove-up" is a short hearing in an uncontested divorce. At the prove-up, "you appear before the judge and give evidence and testimony as to the terms of your divorce."
Texas Law. This section of the Family Code provides a way for a child who is at least twelve years old to express their wishes about which parent they will live with and other aspects of visitation.
You may have heard that it is impossible to have 50/50 custody in Texas or that fathers have no chance of getting equal custody of their kids. This is not true. Texas law explicitly states that courts cannot discriminate based on sex when making a custody decision.
Examples of unfit parents include those who have drug or alcohol problems and foster an unsafe living environment as a result or a parent with a mental illness who is unstable.
If one parent keeps a child away from the other parent when there is not a court order, there is no way to force visitation to happen. Without a court order, neither parent can file an enforcement action. An enforcement action cannot be used to enforce an informal agreement between the parents.
Texas courts favor joint custody. Joint custody means giving both parents access to the child and allowing them to share in the decision-making process for the child's upbringing. In Texas, a parent who is allowed some sort of custody rights is called a conservator.
Texas courts do not favor mothers over fathers. In Texas, judges base child custody dispute rulings on the best interest of the child or children. However, it is important to understand the law when it comes to courts and the discretion the court has when determining child custody.
The most common 50/50 possession schedules in Tarrant County, Texas include: Every other week: Child spends one week with mom, one week with dad, repeat. Thursday through Sunday: Parents exchange the child on Thursdays and Sundays, with some choosing to alternate who has weekdays and weekends.
The Answer: 12 Years Old & Over
So, when can a child choose which parent to live with in Texas? The law allows the judge to interview a child that is 12 years of age or older concerning custody.
At What Age Can a Child Refuse Visitation in Texas? In Texas, there is no age under 18 that allows for a child to refuse visitation. Visitation is the right of the parent, and it cannot be taken away by the custodial parent or child. The only option would be for the custodial parent to request a modification of orders.
Under Texas child custody laws, when moving out of state, the parent who is primary must usually get the other parent's consent if they want to take the child with them. If they do not obtain consent, they must petition the court to request permission to move out of state.
As discussed earlier, $3,500 to $34,000 is a wide range for child custody costs with many variables. This number is not just the cost of your attorney's legal fees. The ultimate number will likely be a composite of: Attorney fees.
The parent who spends the most time with a child is referred to as having "primary custody." In Texas, child custody is described in terms of "conservatorships." A conservatorship involves the ability to make legal decisions for the child including decisions regarding education, health care, and religious training.
To obtain full custody of your children in Texas, you will need to prove that joint custody would not be in the best interests of the child. Evidence that can be used to prove your position includes the following: Domestic violence. Drug abuse.