Significant changes to your family dynamic can create stress and confusion about what the future holds. Adding in legal complexities can make the process feel overwhelming, especially when children are involved.
Texas family law is designed to help guide family members through the process of determining things such as child custody, child support, paternity, and adoption. However, complex family issues will ultimately end up in the hands of the court to make a final decision. Depending on the circumstances, your parental rights could be greatly influenced by your legal representation.
I understand how important it is to spend time with your children and guide their upbringing. Parents want to be present, guiding influences, keeping their children safe and successful. Working with an experienced family law lawyer will help advance your cause to receive the parental rights that you are entitled to. Keep reading to find out more about how I will protect your parental rights during your specific family law situation.
How Can a Family Law Lawyer Protect Your Parental Rights?
Parents will undoubtedly have conflicting goals surrounding their children. Understandably, both you and the other party (whether your ex-spouse or the child’s biological mother/father) will want to pursue the child’s best interests. However, the final decision rests with the court to act in the best interest of the child. Having an experienced family law lawyer in your corner can help you present the best possible case in each of these common situations.
Child Custody
Child custody covers a wide array of parental rights that involves access to your children and the ability to make decisions about their lives. When courts determine custodial vs. non-custodial parents and their rights, various aspects of your role in your child’s life can be affected. This includes the following:
- Making emergency medical decisions and receiving medical information.
- Making decisions about school and being involved in extracurricular functions.
- Determining which religious establishments your children attend.
If you feel that your parental rights regarding child custody are being violated by the other party or that your rights are not being considered by the courts, I can provide you with the appropriate legal support. As your attorney, I will work hard to protect your rights to carry on a positive relationship with your child.
I can also provide ongoing support to ensure that the child custody orders are enforced and that your rights are not violated in the future.
Child Support
Money is a consistently contentious detail in child support proceedings, especially during a divorce. Determining the appropriate amount of child support payments is crucial for protecting both your standard of living and your child’s comfort.
Texas family law strives for clarity in how child support payments are calculated. However, changing circumstances and misconduct by the other party can put you in an unfair position.
If your income changes or a situation arises that may affect your financial responsibility, it is vital to pursue a child support modification. Meanwhile, if you feel that the other party is not upholding their financial obligation, you may need to enforce the order. Whether you feel you are paying too much or receiving too little in child support, I can help you obtain a fair ruling from the court.
Paternity
If there is disagreement about a child’s parentage, a family law lawyer is a crucial aide in establishing parental rights.
An unmarried father can initiate a child support case and pursue legal rights such as visitation and custody. If the other party is blocking the effort to confirm the child’s paternity, the court will have to make a judgment. I can help you by presenting relevant evidence and arguing for your legal rights.
Adoption
Adoption is a complex, lengthy process that requires an enormous amount of physical and emotional stamina. In many cases, unexpected disruptions by birth parents and entities like CPS or DFPS can seriously affect an adoption case’s outcome.
If a biological parent is attempting to rescind their adoption consent, or if CPS is trying to disqualify you from adopting, then working with a family law lawyer is critical to forming a strong legal defense. As a child of adoption myself, I am passionate about defending the rights of parents seeking to adopt.
Consult with a Family Law Lawyer
When circumstances change, and unexpected obstacles arise in your family dynamic, an experienced Texas family law lawyer can help protect your rights as a parent.
Cases involving children often invite conflict, and it is common to feel like you do not have anyone on your side. Don’t believe that. I’m ready to fight for your parental rights. I specialize in helping parents navigate Texas family law so that they can pursue positive, fulfilling relationships with their children.
I currently help parents in Fort Bend County, Brazoria County, and Harris County. If you need assistance in establishing, modifying, or enforcing a court order, contact my offices at 281-944-5485 or 979-267-7660 to further discuss your situation. Let’s get to work protecting your parental rights!