Parenting after divorce can be challenging for Texas residents. When two individuals end their marital relationship and must work together to raise their children, complications and questions often arise. Most individuals must revisit their child custody outcomes and determinations from their divorces to fully understand what rights and responsibilities they and their co-parents have with regard to raising their kids.
In Texas, parents can be granted shared responsibilities to raise their children. If circumstances require, one parent can be granted the sole responsibility of caring for a child. This post will discuss these two different custody possibilities, but all readers are reminded that this post provides no specific legal advice. It is informational only and all guidance on specific legal cases should be sought from trusted Texas based family law lawyers.
Understanding the shared custody model
Child custody decisions in Texas center on the best interests of the children who will be impacted by the legal determinations. Children have different needs and require different types of care to thrive. In many situations, the best interests of the children involve having time to be with both of their parents.
Shared custody gives both of a child’s parents important rights. Both parents may be involved in their child’s medical care and both parents may be involved in the decisions surrounding their schooling. When parents share custodial duties, they must work together to provide their children with the love and support they require.
Understanding the sole custody model
Sole custody is a somewhat difficult legal concept for some families. It is used when one parent may be unable to provide safe custodial supervision for their child. In instances where a parent suffers from addiction, has been absent, or maybe abusive, a court may order their co-parent to have sole custody of their shared child to protect the child’s best interests. When a parent loses custodial rights and their co-parent has sole custody, the non-custodial parent may have options to seek visitation time with their child.
Visitation options in Texas
Visitation is non-custodial time that a parent may spend with their child. Some visitation orders may allow for unsupervised visitation between parents and children. Other visitation orders may require that visitation times happen in the presence of third-party observers. This may be necessary when a parent lacks the skills to safely manage their child while in their presence. When parents and children live great distances from each other, visitation may be virtual and completed through electronic means.
There are many factors and complications that can alter how specific child custody cases workout. This post provides an overview of some possible child custody outcomes but is not comprehensive. Any parent with questions, concerns, or challenges can discuss their custody situations with their trusted family law attorneys.
