Child Custody in Texas

By Jaison C. John, Esq. On Behalf of The Law Firm of John & Morgan, P.C. Nov 11, 2022 Child Custody

In a divorce or child custody proceeding, Texas Courts may issue a variety of custody orders. Courts may designate the parents as joint managing conservators with certain rights and responsibilities provided to each parent.[1] In this case, Courts may apply the standard possession order guidelines, or a modified version of the guidelines if the Courts deem that such modification is in the best interest of the child. Generally, one parent will be given the right to determine the primary residence of the child. Alternatively, Courts may designate one parent as sole managing conservator, while designating the other parent possessory conservator. In this case, the sole managing conservator will possess exclusive rights regarding various aspects of the child’s life, such as the primary residence of the child, the school attended by the child, rights to control medical or physiological treatments for the child, etc. Courts are required to determine custody issues using several factors, but the main consideration that the Courts must take into account is the best interest of the child.[2] That is, Courts will do its utmost to tailor custody arrangements in a manner that is in the best interest of the child.
[1] Tex. Fam. Code § 153 https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.153.htm
[2] https://texascasa.org/resources/texas-family-code/