When it comes to child custody in Texas, the concept of a 50/50 possession schedule has gained significant attention in recent years. This arrangement, also known as equal or shared custody, aims to divide the child's time equally between both parents.
As Abby explains, “Texas is fairly open-minded when it comes to dads getting custody. The Expanded Standard Possession Schedule in the Texas Family Code is roughly a 45-55 split. Unless you are clearly an inept parent, it's really difficult not to get an Expanded Standard Possession Schedule in Texas.”
Typically, one parent (the custodial parent) has the majority of possession time, though it may be a only a slight majority. The custodial parent can be a joint or sole managing conservator. The other parent is the noncustodial parent.
The custodial parent is the one who has primary physical custody of the child. However, in a true 50-50 physical custody arrangement, the IRS has introduced a sort of tie-breaker rule. According to the agency, the parent with the higher taxable income should claim the child.
Split custody, or 50/50 custody, is possible when both parents remain amicable, live in close proximity to each other, and they work together for the best interest of their child. It allows each party to share in as many experiences with the child as they can after separation or divorce.
While it is the preference of Texas courts to grant joint custody, according to Texas Family Code, Title 5, §153.002, ultimately “the best interest of the child shall always be the primary consideration of the court in determining the issues of conservatorship and possession of and access to the child.”
While it is possible for one parent to win full custody of the children after a divorce, it is usually an uphill climb, legally. Texas courts begin every custody case with the presumption that it's always better for the divorced parents to share custody in a joint managing conservatorship.
For example, in some cases, a mother may lose custody of her child because the court believes that it is in the best interest of the child. This can happen if the court determines that the mother is unfit to care for the child due to issues such as drug addiction, mental illness, or neglect.
Fathers Can Have Full Custody
Custody does not necessarily mean the mother. Fathers can also be awarded full custody after a divorce in Fort Worth with the right preparation. Wendy L. Hart is an experienced family law attorney helping people throughout Tarrant County who need help with conservatorship issues.
Joint Managing Conservatorship: Texas generally favors joint custody arrangements, referred to as joint managing conservatorship. It allows both parents to share in the decision-making responsibilities for the child.
A father would need to gather evidence and present documentation that there is a history of physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, violence, neglect, or another intentional form of misbehavior by the other parent against the child. There is a time restriction, however.
The Factors Judges Consider In Child Custody Decisions
These include: The child's age and health. The age and health of the child's parents. Whether there are any special needs involved – again, with either the child or their parents.
Custody laws in Texas mean that unmarried mothers always have both full physical custody and full legal custody of their child automatically. Custody in the legal sense means that you have the right to make all major decisions in your child's life.
In Texas, both fathers and mothers have equal rights when it comes to their children.
When a child is born to an unmarried couple, the father has no legal rights unless he establishes them, even if the mother names him as the father. With more than 40% of Texas children born to unmarried parents, they do not have a “father” until the man's parental rights are established.
Under a joint custody agreement, neither parent has the exclusive right to move so far away that it disrupts the other party's access to frequent and continuing contact with their child.
Mothers' Rights in Texas Child Custody. Mothers have substantial rights to child custody, regardless of whether they are married to the father or not. In fact, mothers in many ways have more rights than fathers—at least initially.
There are two major triggers that will almost automatically determine a parent unfit for custody: abuse and neglect. If there is any history of domestic violence, a parent will not get physical custody.
Historically, women have always had the upper hand in being awarded child custody. Statistics show that women win child custody rights a staggering 90% of the time , even though fathers play an important role in their children's lives pre and post-divorce.
Mother's Parental Rights
The issue of a mother's rights comes up when the parents are unmarried or divorcing. Texas used to give mothers priority in child custody decisions, but that is no longer the case. Instead, the court now looks solely at how the facts relate to the child's best interest to determine custody.
The Answer: 12 Years Old & Over
So, when can a child choose which parent to live with in Texas? The law allows the judge to interview a child that is 12 years of age or older concerning custody.
It is important to note, however, that the Collaborative Divorce process and other alternative dispute resolution options allow divorcing parents to structure a parenting plan without either parent being designated as the “primary parent.” In fact, the Texas Family Code provides a statutory alternative in which the ...
An uncontested custody case could take only a couple of months or less. However, the process can take over a year if it's contested. Many fall between these two extremes, and most parents eventually settle with the help of a mediator. Sometimes there are good reasons to go to a trial on a custody matter.
This could be due to a criminal record, substance abuse issues, a history of neglect or abuse, domestic violence, or other factors that make the parent unsuitable for shared custody. In certain cases, sole custody may also be granted if both parents and the court agree that it is in the best interest of the children.
As discussed earlier, $3,500 to $34,000 is a wide range for child custody costs with many variables. This number is not just the cost of your attorney's legal fees. The ultimate number will likely be a composite of: Attorney fees.