Our Caring, Compassionate Family Lawyer is Here to Help
Determining child custody during a divorce can make an already stressful and difficult experience even more overwhelming. Teaming up with an El Paso child custody lawyer can help alleviate the stress and ensure everything proceeds smoothly. At the Quiñonez Law Firm, we will work tirelessly to safeguard your rights and the welfare of your children.
If you’re facing child custody issues, don’t hesitate to call our El Paso family law attorney at 915-533-0009.
Determining Child Custody in El Paso, TX
In Texas, child custody is determined by many factors, including:
- The best interests of the child
- The child’s testimony if they are over the age of 12
- Background checks and prior domestic abuse
- Where the child lives
Texas laws focus almost solely on the child’s best interest since divorce can cause a lot of tension between parents. The judge may grant you sole or joint custody depending on the situation and what you and your spouse decide.
Sole Custody
Parents who are awarded sole custody conservatorship have exclusive rights to make decisions for the child or children, excluding the other parent. In Texas, being awarded sole custody is difficult but not impossible.
Issues that can cause a parent to lose custody of their child or children include:
- Child abuse
- Child abduction
- Child neglect
- Domestic violence
- Parental alienation
- Refusing to co-parent
- Chronic substance abuse
- Mental health issues that pose a risk to their child’s safety
Joint Custody
When parents are awarded joint custody conservatorship, they can both make decisions on their children’s behalf. El Paso, Texas, courts generally assume joint custody is in the child’s best interest.
Conservatorship in El Paso
In Texas, the custodial parent is referred to as the conservator. Regardless if you have joint or sole conservatorship, you will be responsible for your child’s:
- Health, such as taking them to the doctor and dentist
- Education, ensuring they attend school and participate
- Wellbeing
- Participation in afterschool activities (when applicable)
Your rights include consenting to medical procedures and surgeries for your child, requesting medical and educational documents, talking to a medical and educational professional about your child, and obtaining information from the other parent about the child’s health, education, and well-being. If you are awarded joint conservatorship, the judge will assign the rights and duties to each parent.
Work with an El Paso Child Custody Lawyer Today!
The fight for custody, especially when aiming for sole custody, can be long and tiring. There will be a lot of legal documentation to sort through, but working with an El Paso child custody lawyer will help make this process easier.
Our family lawyer will help you when preparing for the court hearing and by representing you the day of. Call us today to learn more! If you need help with child custody lawyer in El Paso, the Quiñonez Law Firm can help.