Melissa, TX Child Custody Attorneys

Supportive Child Custody Lawyers for Clients in Melissa, Texas

When parents become embroiled in a child custody dispute, the child or children can feel caught between them. In these disputes, the courts will always prioritize the child's best interest, so it is important that you work with an attorney who understands this legal standard.

A Melissa, TX child custody lawyer can provide you with skilled representation and knowledgeable counsel to help you establish a suitable custody arrangement. At The Ramage Law Group, our family law attorneys have represented parents in high-conflict custody cases, and when you work with our firm, you can rest assured that we will do everything we can to support you.

What Are the Responsibilities of Custody in Texas?

Child custody is referred to as "conservatorship" in Texas. Many parents share "joint managing conservatorship" over their children, giving them both rights and responsibilities. As a joint managing conservatorship, you may have the right to make important decisions for your child, as well as a right to spend time with and take care of your child.

In other parenting arrangements, one parent might be granted "sole managing conservatorship" over the child, giving that parent the exclusive rights over the child's residence and other important decisions. The other parent may be given rights to visitation through possessory conservatorship. This kind of arrangement is usually reserved for situations where one parent has a prior history of abuse or neglect.

Texas law presumes that joint managing conservatorship is best for the child by default unless proven otherwise. At The Ramage Law Group, we can help you advocate for a custody arrangement that suits your child's needs.

When Can a Custody Order Be Modified in Texas?

A consistent custody schedule is important for a child's stable home life. However, there are circumstances where a modification to a custody order may be appropriate.

Before the courts will approve a custody modification, the parent petitioning for a modification must show that there has been a material and substantial change in the family's circumstances. For instance, the court may consider a custody modification if the child's needs have changed due to a health condition. In any case, the modification should put the child's best interests first.

Sometimes, a custody order may have to be modified due to a parental relocation. If you are looking to move with your child, the burden is on you to show how the relocation would serve the child's well-being. In a relocation, the court may also consider how the move will affect the child's relationship with the non-moving parent.

Melissa Lawyers for Child Support Responsibilities

When parents get a divorce, it is likely that one parent will be responsible for paying child support. This is to ensure that the child still benefits from the financial resources of both parents.

In Texas, child support payments are calculated from the non-custodial parent's net monthly income. The number of children shared between the parents will also affect a parent's monthly child support obligations.

Much like child custody, child support can be modified in response to changing life circumstances. A significant change in either parent's income, for example, could be grounds to seek a modification of the regular support payments. If you are owed child support that your co-parent refuses to pay, our firm can help you petition for an enforcement of the court order.

Contact a Melissa Child Custody Lawyer Today

Child custody matters should be handled with care. At The Ramage Law Group, we are here to provide you with compassionate, attentive counsel and representation to help you through your case. Our family law attorneys have over 50 years of shared experience, and we can help you reach a creative solution to your custody dispute. To schedule an initial consultation today, call our offices at 972-562-9890 or reach out to us online.