MARTIN S. GARZA, CUSTODY LAWYER IN SAN ANTONIO AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

The best interest of the child or children is of course the key in custody decisions before the court. Martin S. Garza, family lawyer in San Antonio, is experienced in assisting parents who seek legal counseling for child custody cases. The ideal situation may be for parents to share in the rights and duties of child-rearing, but often taking the matter to court is necessary to help both parties come to an agreement. Even if parents agree on custody terms outside of court, the agreement is still subject to court approval.

CHILD SUPPORT AND VISITATION

If you have made the decision to divorce, Martin can help answer your questions about child support and visitation rights, which are separate issues. The court determines both and will usually order the non-custodial parent to pay child support and the custodial parent to make the child available for visits.

The custodial parent has a duty to obey the court order for visitation, even if the non-custodial parent cannot or will not pay child support. The court can enforce its orders against either parent.

FACTORS IN CONSERVATORSHIP (CUSTODY)

Texas Family Code states that a judge may consider the following in determining what is in the child’s best interest:

• Whether the physical, psychological, or emotional needs and development of the child will benefit from the appointment of joint managing conservators.
• The ability of the parents to give first priority to the welfare of the child and reach shared decisions in the child’s best interest.
• Whether each parent can encourage and accept a positive relationship between the child and the other parent.
• Whether both parents participated in child rearing before the filing of the suit; and the geographical proximity of the parents’ residences.

In addition, if the child is 12 or older, the judge may interview the child in chambers (the judge’s office) to determine the child’s preference as to which parent should  have the right to decide his/her primary (main) residence. If the child is under 12, the judge may interview the child; however, this is less common.

PARENTING PLAN

According to Texas Family Code, “A parenting plan contains the rights and responsibilities of each parent. It would include provisions for child support, possession of and access to the child. Parents can make a parenting plan and submit it to the court. In addition, a judge may order any other provision restricting possession of or access to the child, if deemed to be in the child’s best interest.”