Fairview Child Custody Lawyers

Family Law Attorneys in Collin County, TX

If you have chosen to end your marriage or relationship with your child's other parent, you will need to legally establish a child custody plan. Few parents look forward to this process. However, you may have more options than you think. Parents in Texas who are getting divorced will need to decide on child custody issues before their divorce decree is finalized, while unmarried parents can bring an independent child custody case. You likely have two options for resolving your case: you can go to mediation out of court, or you can litigate the custody battle and let a judge make the decisions.

The Ramage Law Group can help with either strategy. Our lawyers are experienced in both child custody litigation and family law or divorce mediation. We often find that uncontested child custody cases are better for the children if the parents are able and willing to work together, as the child will not experience the stress of going to court or meeting with a guardian ad litem. However, we also understand that litigation is sometimes needed in order to protect a child from a dangerous parent. We will do all we can to help you establish the best possible plan for co-parenting.

Uncontested Child Custody Cases in Collin County

It can be quite difficult for parents to reach agreements on child custody, especially when both parents have a strong desire to be a part of their child's life. However, this mutual desire to do what is best for the child can go a long way toward helping parents ultimately develop a plan by working together.

Before you begin mediation or attorney-led negotiation, you should be aware that nearly all contested child custody cases end in some type of joint custody arrangement. Therefore, by reaching an agreement for joint custody, you are not "giving up" time you could have spent with your child—you are only protecting your child from a courtroom battle.

Mediation is a commonly used strategy. There are several types of mediation to choose from. If your divorce or split is amicable, face-to-face mediation, where the mediator sits down with both of you, may be preferred. If you are in conflict and do not think you can be in the same room with the other parent, another form of mediation where you sit in separate rooms and the mediator moves back and forth can be used.

Finally, you may choose to simply have your attorneys negotiate without the assistance of a mediator. This may work if you already have a general idea of what your co-parenting strategy will be and simply need to put it into a formal agreement.

Contested Child Custody Cases

If you know that you and the other parent will not be able to agree, you may need to litigate your case. You may also need to contest the case if the other parent poses a substantial risk of harm to the child. When a Collin County court is asked to make child custody decisions in high-conflict cases, it will consider a list of factors to help it understand what arrangement is best for the child. Mothers and fathers are entitled to equal consideration in Texas. These factors include:

• The child's desires
• The child's emotional and physical needs
• Each parent's ability to meet the child's needs
• The stability and safety of each parent's household
• The existing relationship between each parent and the child
• Whether either parent might endanger the child's physical or emotional well-being
• Any programs that exist to help the child
• The plans each parent has made for the child

A guardian ad litem usually investigates to help the court understand how each factor applies to your child.

Contact a Fairview, TX Child Custody Lawyer

If you are going through a child custody dispute, The Ramage Law Group can help. Our highly knowledgeable Collin County child custody lawyers will do all we can to help you maintain the best possible relationship with your child. Contact us at 972-562-9890 to consult with an attorney.