Child Custody

Dallas Child Custody Lawyers

Child Custody Laws in Texas

In the Texas Family Code, child custody is known as conservatorship. Tex. Fam. Code Chapter 153 states that custody is granted to (a) certain individual(s) based on the best interests of the child. In order to obtain custody after a divorce, you will need to prove to the court that maintaining custody of your child is in their best interest.

O’Neil Wysocki P.C. has handled numerous cases involving child custody, combining compassionate service with relentless representation. Anyone in need of a Dallas child custody attorney can benefit from calling our firm.

Michelle O'Neil and Michael Wysocki are both board certified family law specialists, as well as attorney Jennifer Satagaj. Our child custody lawyers have not only garnered numerous industry awards, but also the trust of countless individuals, couples, and families who have depended on us.

We can help with all matters surrounding child custody, including:

Parenting Time & Parenting Agreements

In Texas, it is very rare for one parent to be granted sole conservatorship (custody) of their child by the court after a divorce. Most cases allow both parents to have some form of possession of or access to their child.

In Texas, "parenting time" is the term used for the agreement or court order that defines how much time each parent spends with their child and how involved each parent is in making decisions for the child. Many parenting agreements are drafted between the two parents without the court having to intervene. If the matter is disputed, however, it must be taken to court and litigated before a judge.

If a parenting agreement is being decided in court, both sides must present their arguments and, in the end, the judge will determine the parenting schedule and decision-making rights for each parent. Whether you need help drafting a parenting schedule or fighting for fair parenting time in court, our child custody attorneys in Dallas can provide the representation you need. The Dallas custody lawyers at O’Neil Wysocki P.C. will fight tirelessly to win the parenting time you deserve.

What Is Sole Custody?

Before you start fighting for custody of your child, it is important that you know what types of conservatorship the court can order:

Sole managing conservatorship (or sole custody) can be awarded to one parent, which means that the child primarily resides with one parent and that parent has exclusive rights to making decisions about the child's life and upbringing. The other parent may be granted possessory conservatorship, which allows them visitation rights with their child.
Joint managing conservatorship is ordered when the court decides that both parents need to be involved in the child's life. A joint parenting plan will be drafted and entered to establish which parent the child spends time with and at what time(s).

Standard Possession Schedule in Texas

Many parents in Texas have possession of and access to their children pursuant to the Standard Possession Schedule contained within the Texas Family Code. The parent that has standard possession is entitled to possession of a child during the 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends of each month throughout the year. The 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends of the month are not the same as every other weekend.

Additionally, under a Texas Standard Possession Schedule, the non-primary/possessory conservator can select 30 days for purposes of his or her summer possession, which can be split up into a maximum of two periods of at least seven days each. The non-primary conservator will continue to exercise their 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends of the month in addition to the 30 days of extended summer possession.

Choose the Experience of O’Neil Wysocki P.C.

The custody lawyers at O’Neil Wysocki P.C. provides compassionate legal counsel for those going through the difficult process of divorce. However, we are relentless in the courtroom and will never back down when fighting for your rights. Contact our child custody lawyers today for the support, guidance, and skilled representation that you need to fight for custody of your child.

Call (972) 852-8000 to get started on your case.