Custodial Parent
Small children are incapable of taking care of themselves or making important decisions. That’s why instead of having legal rights, parents are required by law to care for them until they reach 18 years of age.
When a divorce involves minor children, one parent is granted custodial custody. This custodial parent is legally responsible for making decisions such as where the children will live. It’s very common for the children to live with this parent as their primary household.
A Houston custodial parent lawyer will assist you with keeping your rights to your children… because they need you.
How Texas Courts Determine Custody
Various factors are considered when determining which parent will have custodial rights. Such factors as residential stability and the abilities to parent the children are important factors when choosing the primary caregiver, who may or may not be the custodial parent.
Texas courts believe having both parents in a child’s life is in that minor’s best interest. Both should help make decisions that involve the minor.
A noncustodial parent should be kept informed of all important topics involving the child. This includes legal issues, medical problems and educational decisions. Even after the divorce is final, the courts expect both parents to cooperate for the child’s best interest.
Custodial parents are responsible for making day-to-day decisions for the kids. They must maintain the schedule laid out for visitation and keep up with child support payments. The noncustodial parent should be consulted when making significant decisions related to the children.
To get the facts on the exact rights each parent has, work with a Houston custodial parent lawyer.
Texas Child Custody & Support
In the state of Texas, the noncustodial parent is almost always ordered to pay child support to help the custodial parent cover the costs of caring for the children. This parent will also be granted visitation.
The noncustodial parent’s child support payments are specifically to help maintain the children’s needs. If they aren’t made on-time, the judge can garnish wages and send the payments directly to the custodial parent.
Failure to pay child support does not give the custodial parent the right to revoke visitation. These two issues are complete separate from one another.
Your previous spouse is in your life forever because you have kids together. In Texas courts, it’s common practice to have the two parents share custody when, and as much as, possible.
No matter the reasons for the divorce, you’re both the child’s parent for life. Both the noncustodial and custodial parents need to put the child’s best interests above all else.
Child custody is one of the most combative parts of the entire divorce process. For years, it will have a major impact on the child’s future.
Are you a Houston custodial parent lawyer? If so, we can help you get understand the answers to custody questions. Let us help you come to an agreement with your previous spouse that helps the kids grow up to have healthy relationships with you and the other parent.