When you are working out a custody arrangement for your children, experienced legal help from Mario Varela Law Firm can ensure you and your family are protected throughout the process.

Key Takeaways:

• Custody arrangements are decided based on what best serves the child.
  

• Sole custody and joint custody are two common ways in which custody can be arranged.
  

• Our Harris County custody lawyers can help make sure the specific needs of your family are taken into account.

Negotiating custody arrangements can feel like your heart is being pulled in two directions. Naturally, you want to protect your time and future with your children while also making sure their best interests are served. When you are trying to create a fair and meaningful custody arrangement, engaging the help of our experienced Harris County custody lawyers can help you make sure you and your family are protected throughout the process.

At Mario Varela Law Firm, we offer clear, compassionate guidance that puts your children first. Our highly experienced, bilingual team makes sure you are understood and your interests are served throughout the process. We work closely with you to get a clear picture of your family’s dynamic and your goals so that we can craft personalized strategies aimed at protecting your family like it’s our own. Reach out today to schedule a free initial case evaluation and learn how we can make a difference for your family and future.

Understanding How Custody is Decided in Texas

Texas courts base custody (called conservatorship in Texas) decisions on what is best for the child rather than the wants or needs of the parents. In most cases, the “best interests of the child” are generally served by creating custody arrangements that allow them to have access to both parents. 

Custody can be broken down in more ways than one. Sole Managing Conservatorship (SMC) describes an arrangement in which only one parent (called the managing conservator) is responsible for the child’s living situation and daily schedule, including making decisions about where they will go to school, their medical care, their religious exposure, and other significant decisions. If the other parent has visitation rights, they are known as the possessory conservator, and are given guidelines for possession and access, also known as visitation. In some cases, visitation might be required to be supervised.

On the other hand, the most common type of arrangement is Joint Managing Conservatorship (JMC), which means that both parents are managing conservators who share legal decision-making rights and responsibilities for their children. However, JMCs don’t automatically mean equal parenting time - one parent is typically designated as having the exclusive right to determine where the child will live, while both parents share decision-making authority. For example, one parent might have the children during the week while the other cares for them on the weekend. Alternatively, a more balanced arrangement might mean that parents are responsible for their children on a bi-weekly basis. 

Our skilled Harris County custody lawyers will explain your options clearly, help you understand how certain custody arrangements might work in real-life (as opposed to what they look like on paper), and advocate for an outcome that supports your kids’ safety and stability. 

How Our Harris County Custody Lawyers Can Help

Arranging custody can be emotionally challenging, as well as legally confusing, so it’s essential to have legal assistance that’s committed to walking you through the process at the proper pace. At Mario Varela Law Firm, we treat your family and your concerns like they are our own. We develop client-centered strategies that speak to your specific circumstances so you can look toward the future with peace of mind.

When the future of your family is on the line, it’s important to engage legal help that is detail-oriented and results-driven. We prioritize open, productive communication with maximum transparency so you feel supported through every step of the process. You can rest assured that we are consistently accessible and will keep you up-to-date on any news or further steps so you are never blindsided!

Like you, we want what’s best for your children, so you can count on us to always offer trustworthy guidance.

Mario Varela Law Firm Offers Legal Protection For Your Family

At Mario Varela Law Firm, our Harris County custody lawyers know that your time with your children is sacred to you. When you work with us, we rely on our legal knowledge and bespoke strategies to protect you and help you open a new chapter of your life. Reach out to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about how we can help with your custody arrangement.