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Child Custody

When it comes to possession of your children, there are many options. Those options are based on the "best interest" of your child. If the you and your spouse can agree on a possession schedule that is in the best interests of your children, taking into account their busy schedules and yours, courts will generally accept that agreement. Though custody battles can be expensive, emotionally draining, and destructive, sometimes there just isn’t an alternative. If you and your spouse cannot agree, the court will decide for you.

What are my Custody Options?

In Texas, the general topic of custody is broken down into two separate areas:
Conservatorship
and
Possession

Conservatorship:
While most non-lawyers think of conservatorship in terms of "Joint Managing Conservators" or "Sole Managing Conservator," it is more accurate to think of this section as the part that spells out the "rights, powers and duties" of each parent, or in other words which parent gets to make what decisions. While some decisions may be shared, some decisions may be allocated to one party alone.

Unless there has been a history or pattern of family violence, or there is some other demonstrable and compelling reason, the Texas legislature has determined that Joint Managing Conservatorship is in the best interest of every child.

Possession:

The possession schedule spells out when the children will be with each parent. The Texas standard possession order provides a baseline for visitation with children. Most Texas courts consider the standard possession schedule to be the MINIMUM amount of visitation that will be ordered for a child over the age of 3 years. Depending upon the age of your children, and the other facts of your case, the court has the power to increase or decrease that visitation as the court deems appropriate. Follow this link to a copy of the Texas Standard Possession Schedule.

To discuss your custody questions with Dennis Fuller, call Sharon Bradford and schedule an appointment at his office located in Lincoln Centre at the Dallas North Toll Way and LBJ Freeway in North Dallas. Mr. Fuller provides quality family law representation to clients in all areas of North Texas, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Denton, McKinney, Frisco, Richardson, Addison, Plano, and throughout Dallas, Collin, Denton, and Tarrant Counties, Texas. The number is 972-852-8500 to schedule an appointment today.