Wilson Whitaker Rynell

Experienced Lawyers

info@wwrlegal.com

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972-248-8080 DALLAS
713-830-2207 HOUSTON
512-691-4100 AUSTIN
wilson whitaker rynell attorneys and counselors at law logo
972-248-8080 DALLAS
713-830-2207 HOUSTON
512-691-4100 AUSTIN

CHILD CUSTODY

ATTORNEYS IN DALLAS

We serve Dallas, Frisco, and Plano in Family Law and Divorce cases with experienced board-certified lawyers aggressively protect your child custody rights.

TEXAS CHILD CUSTODY AND ACCESS

Child Custody - Access To Your Child


Child custody is one of the most contentious areas of family law. Most parents want custody and possession of, and access to, their children and are willing to do just about anything to get it; however, when seeking child custody, it's essential to understand what is guiding the court in making its decisions:

 

  • The best interest of the child: In child custody issues, the courts will always keep the best interests of the child first and foremost in their decision-making. This "best interest" rule will guide every decision a judge makes, such as the schedule of visitation rights, living arrangements, and who is named as a conservator of the child.

 

  • Child Custody (Conservatorship): At some point, either in temporary orders or at a final trial, the court will designate which “conservator” is charged with caring for a child and making decisions on their behalf.  Although this is customarily a child's parents, it could also be a grandparent, a guardian, or even child protective services.  Absent significant issues such as family violence or alcohol/drug histories,  judges favor placing a child with their natural mother or father.

 

As family lawyers, our attorneys get involved in many aspects of their client's personal lives, and we are here to help.  An overview of the Texas child support guidelines can be found on our Basic Child Support Guidelines web page.


How Do I Get Sole Custody of My Child?


A court can award sole custody to one parent when one parent has either committed family violence or otherwise endangers the child's health, safety, or emotional well being. A person awarded sole custody will have the exclusive right to determine the child's residence and to make decisions about the child's upbringing. With Dallas family attorneys certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law and over a decade of experience litigating family law disputes, our child custody attorneys are specially equipped to meet your needs.


How Does the Court Determine Who Gets Custody Of A Child? 


First and foremost, the court will look at the "best interest of the child.” The best interest of the child is the lens through which the Judge will craft all his or her court orders. Absent an agreement between the parents, the court will often use some of the following to guide it in determining the best interest of the child:

 

  • Each parent’s role in the caring and upbringing of the child;

 

  • A parent’s employment. Does one travel more than the other;

 

  • A parent’s mental and emotional health; 

 

  • The environment in which the parent lives, including those third parties the parent lives with;

 

  • Any social study or psychological evaluation performed on the family or its members; and

 

  • The preference of the child, if the child is over the age of 12 in Texas.

 


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Additional Child Custody Focus 

What Not To Do In A Child Custody Dispute?


Do not let your emotions get out of control. Assume that the court may evaluate everything you say and do. Any irrational and aggressive behavior directed at anyone may profoundly affect your ability to receive custody of your child. Child custody is stressful, and at times, you will be emotional. It is vital to find a support structure and an excellent legal team that can help you navigate the emotional complexity of child custody.


Why Do You Need An Aggressive Child Custody Lawyer?


A successful child custody case often begins with an assertive offense and/or defense, and you need a lawyer capable of being aggressive when and as necessary.  Our Dallas child custody attorneys have represented clients in hundreds of cases, from simple undisputed divorces to the most complex and challenging matters. They have successfully taken numerous cases to trial and have reached settlements favorable to our clients in scores more. Our success is due to our attorney's dedication to our client's and fierce advocacy for our clients' rights and interests. Our Dallas child custody lawyers will not allow you to be taken advantage of but will strive to protect your rights, fight for your interests, and give you the strong and passionate representation your case demands.

CLIENT MATTERS


5,000+


YEARS OF SERVICE

 25+

Award Winning

Recognized in the legal industry as dedicated board-certified lawyers and Rising Stars.

Expert Team

Your project will be handled by legal experts every time. You will have the most experienced attorneys working for you. 

Quality Representation

You’ll find the support you need to ensure that things run smoothly. We’re here to help with all your legal needs.

Meet Our Team

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By Leigh Whitaker January 28, 2025
Female Divorce Attorneys in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area In many instances, divorce cases are challenging and emotionally taxing experiences. For this reason, it’s common for people to prefer working with an attorney of the same gender because they feel as though the attorney can empathize and understand their situation more. At the end of the day, the gender of your attorney may not affect the outcome of your case, but it’s important to feel as comfortable as possible while navigating through the process. At Wilson Whitaker Rynell, our experienced female divorce attorneys offer compassionate and empathetic approaches while they develop a comprehensive legal strategy to represent you. Why Should You Choose a Female Divorce Lawyer? There are many reasons why hiring a female divorce attorney can help you throughout your divorce. For one, they often have experience working on issues that disproportionately affect women in divorce such as spousal support (alimony), child custody disputes, and asset division. Additionally, female divorce lawyers offer a unique level of empathy, understanding, and communication. As a result, many clients feel that they are more approachable and compassionate, which is beneficial when dealing with the emotional turmoil of the process. More importantly, female divorce attorneys are more familiar with how the court treats women in divorce cases and use this knowledge to strategically protect their clients’ interests, whether male or female. Why Our Female Divorce Attorneys May be Right for You At Wilson Whitaker Rynell, our female divorce attorneys are skilled, knowledgeable professionals, they also have many years of experience in handling complex divorce cases. Whether it’s issues surrounding custody of children, alimony, or asset division, our female divorce lawyers ensure each client receives high-quality legal advice. Our firm’s female divorce attorneys provide the highest level of personal attention, ensuring that each client’s unique needs and concerns are addressed through every step. Unique Challenges Women Face in Family Law Disputes in Texas Family law disputes can be emotionally charged and legally complex, especially for women navigating the process in Texas. Women often encounter unique challenges due to their roles in the marriage and family dynamic, particularly when it comes to child custody, child support, and the division of marital assets. Child Custody Challenges In many marriages, women take on the primary caregiving role for their children. However, when it comes to custody decisions, courts in Texas prioritize the best interests of the child over parental gender. While this often works in favor of mothers, women may still face hurdles in proving they are better suited to provide the stable environment the child needs, especially if their ex-spouse disputes custody. Factors such as work schedules, living arrangements, and financial stability can come under scrutiny. Child Support Issues While Texas law allows women to seek child support, collecting these payments can sometimes prove difficult. Women awarded child support may find themselves dealing with ex-spouses who delay payments, make partial payments, or refuse to pay altogether. Enforcing child support orders often requires legal intervention, which can add to the emotional and financial strain. Division of Marital Assets In Texas, a community property state, marital assets are typically divided equitably during divorce. Women who are awarded assets such as the family home may face challenges related to maintaining the property, refinancing a mortgage, or covering associated expenses. Additionally, women who sacrificed their careers to support their spouses or raise children may feel disadvantaged during the division of assets if their earning potential is limited compared to their ex-spouse. How Your Divorce Attorney Will Support You Each divorce case is unique, and having an experienced attorney standing by you is vital. Whether you’re dividing assets, negotiating child custody, or managing other complex legal issues, the female divorce attorneys at Wilson Whitaker Rynell are here to protect the interests of you and your family. Our attorneys will take the time to understand your unique circumstances and empower you to make informed decisions that support your career, family and future. When you choose a female divorce attorney from Wilson Whitaker Rynell, you can trust that they will: Prioritize your family’s best interests. Negotiate with integrity, ensuring fairness and transparency. Clearly explain all your options and their potential outcomes. Help you create the future you want by offering trusted legal advice. Use efficient methods to minimize unnecessary costs and keep the process manageable. Navigating family law disputes requires a thorough understanding of Texas family law and strong advocacy. Women facing divorce or other family law issues are encouraged to seek an experienced family law attorney who can provide personalized guidance. A skilled lawyer can help craft a strategy that protects their rights and ensures a fair resolution. This includes representing their interests in court, negotiating settlements, and helping enforce orders such as child support or spousal maintenance.
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