Child Custody and Parenting Plans

One of the most important aspects of a child custody or divorce case is determining when each parent will take care of the children and what rights, duties, and responsibilities each of the parents have during those times. One possibility is called the “Texas Standard Possession Order,” but that is only the default in certain circumstances in court.

• If parents are able to agree, a customized parenting plan can be put in place.
• Even the standard order requires certain customizations and decisions.
• Our experience with thousands of custody orders helps identify what works and what causes problems.
• Unique professions (e.g., doctors, nurses, military service members) may require specialized plans.
• We also handle custody disputes after an order has been entered, especially in cases of material and substantial changes in circumstances.
• Parents can modify a child custody order and enforce it if the other parent fails to follow it.

Child Support in Texas

Child support in Texas depends on a number of factors and is usually calculated based on the income of the paying parent.

Key points include:

• Child support amounts are typically established based on the time and responsibilities each parent commits to the children.
• Once established, child support is independent of custody arrangements; it must be paid regardless of custody status.
• Health insurance is often a requirement as part of a child support order.
• Child support may be agreed upon, or, in the absence of an agreement, the court will decide if the case goes to trial.
• Texas has “guidelines” for child support, but these are only guidelines and not mandatory unless ordered by the court.
• The amount can vary from the guidelines for reasons related to the needs of the child, such as:
  • Private school expenses
  • Daycare costs
  • Medical needs
  • Disability considerations
  • Relative amounts of parenting time
• Child support amounts can also be modified, and we handle both sides of modification cases.

Understanding these aspects can help parents navigate the complexities of custody and support in Texas.