Dallas Child Custody Lawyer
Child Custody Attorney in Dallas, TX
Nothing is more important or precious to us than our children. When facing divorce or a legal separation, however, we must make difficult decisions about their happiness and upbringing. Single parenthood might sound terrifying for some; however, with the help of an experienced Dallas child custody lawyer, you can avoid certain issues during a custody case. An attorney’s guidance can enable you to make sound decisions that save your child from emotional or psychological damage.
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Cruz Arevalo: Dedicated Dallas Child Custody Attorneys
At Cruz Arevalo, we have over a decade of experience in child custody laws. We help people just like you deal with the intense emotions and legal logistics of a child custody case. Our team is familiar with the George Allen Courts Building, and we can use this knowledge to benefit your case. While you might fear for your parental rights and the safety of your children in a custody situation, you have done the right thing by looking into hiring a child custody lawyer.
At Cruz Arevalo, our team members have been named some of the top lawyers in America. We can provide you with that award-winning service, no matter what your custody case entails.
Defining Child Custody in Dallas
Texas has a divorce rate of around 1.9 for 1,000 residents. In many of these cases, minor children are shared between the divorcing couple, and the parents will need to reach an agreement regarding the custody of these children. There are two main forms of custody in Dallas: physical and legal custody.
- Physical custody, also known as “conservatorship” in the state, refers to where and how the children will split their time between households.
- Legal custody refers to each parent’s ability to make certain decisions regarding the upbringing of their children, including those related to the child’s health, medical needs, and education.
In most cases, both legal and physical custody will be split between the two parents in a joint arrangement. However, there are instances where the judge deems it in the best interest of the child for only one parent to be involved in their life on a full-time basis.
In cases of sole managing conservatorship, or sole custody, one parent will be the child’s primary caregiver, and they retain exclusive rights to making all decisions about the child’s life and upbringing. The other parent may be granted some kind of visitation rights with the child if the judge believes such an arrangement is in the best interests of that child.
In situations of joint managing conservatorship, the court will decide that both parents should be involved in the life of their child. A joint parenting plan is then drafted and issued as a court order. This plan will establish which parent the child spends time with and when.
When one parent is awarded sole custody and the other parent only gets to see their child during visitation times, the courts have likely deemed the noncustodial parent unfit. Texas has one of the highest rates of terminated parental rights in the country. This can happen when there are certain factors involved in a custody case, including:
- The parent has a history of child abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. Over 200 people, including children, were killed in domestic violence acts in 2023, making this a large issue in Texas. Any history of this behavior clearly shows that a parent is unfit.
- The parent is currently abusing substances such as alcohol or drugs.
- The parent consistently fails to act in the best interests of the child.
- The parent cannot reliably care for the child because of poor mental or physical health.
- The child is old enough to offer their own opinions regarding their custody case.
- The parent is either incarcerated or otherwise unable to care for their child because of their current living situation.
Understanding the Texas Custody Process
The legal process surrounding child custody cases is not easy, and it can be especially daunting during these emotionally difficult times. At Cruz Arevalo, we are firm believers in empowering our clients with knowledge. It is important that you understand all the steps involved in a Dallas custody case; that way, you can better understand what you are facing. Our team can also work to eliminate some of the stress or uncertainty you’re facing.
In a child custody case, the steps involved in the legal process can include:
- Filing the official petition. The process will begin when one of the parents files a petition for custody in the family courts, usually at the George Allen Courts Building on Commerce Drive in Dallas. This petition will outline the wished-for custody plan and begin the official proceedings.
- Mediation. You may be required to attend mediation with your co-parent before any kind of trial can take place. This will allow both you and your co-parent the opportunity to negotiate and potentially reach an agreement outside the courtroom.
- Temporary orders. In certain cases where it is deemed necessary, the courts can issue temporary custody orders to provide children with a stable home while the case proceeds.
- Discovery phase. During this step, all the involved parties will collect evidence to support their case. This might include certain forms of documentation or witness statements.
- Court hearing. If an agreement cannot be reached outside the courtroom, the case will proceed to a trial. Here, each parent will present their case to the judge, who will make a ruling based on what they believe to be in the best interests of the child.
- Final orders. Once the hearing has taken place, the judge will issue a final custody order. If your co-parent refuses to comply with this order, an enforcement lawyer from Cruz Arevalo can help.
Why Hire a Child Custody Lawyer From Cruz Arevalo?
You want what is best for your children, so does your partner. However, you may not always agree when it comes to issues relating to the interest of your children. These disagreements can contribute to making it difficult to reach an agreement on matters relating to child custody. At such times, the services of a family law attorney can help you navigate to find a good solution.
We are Cruz Arevalo, with years of experience in family law. We are dedicated to helping parents throughout Texas who need legal representation in cases related to child custody.
We have personnel that can assist in numerous issues, including:
- Child support
- Medical support
- Establishment of paternity
- Temporary restraining orders
- Modification of Child-related court orders
- Relocation
- Child rights and duties
- Conservatorship
Usually, we know our way around obtaining favorable results without necessarily going to court; however, we also have skilled trial attorneys in our team that can help you present your case before a judge when the need arises.
There’s no one-fit-all formula for determining custody – cases vary widely. There are several factors to be considered by family courts in Texas. However, the choice to hire a child custody lawyer is always wise, no matter the factors of your case.
Speak With a Trusted Child Custody Lawyer Today
If you are facing a child custody matter in Dallas, look no further than the team of Super Lawyers at Cruz Arevalo. We can act as your fierce advocates during this challenging time for both you and your family. Right now, you want to protect what matters most, and we do, too.
At Cruz Arevalo, our attorneys can listen and advise you on every situation that may arise during a child custody battle. Let us help you balance your rights with the best interests of your children. Contact our offices today and seek the guidance and representation you deserve. We can fight for the custody and protection of your children.
