Dallas Child Custody Lawyer Understanding Custody of Children
Children are the most valued part of most people’s lives. Loss of custody of a child can be the most concerning part of a dysfunctional family life. At Mathur Law Offices, we understand that custody over children needs to be carefully thought out and planned. There are strategies that can be employed to make one’s case for child custody stronger. Judges, who initially decide temporary custody, are used to the bickering and arguments between adults. However, when it comes to child custody issues, the courts frequently look to the stability of the child’s environment. The more stable and least disruptive environment will often prevail.
Planning custody battles to include assurances of stability and welfare of the child are often important factors to consider. For example, how will schooling be affected? Where has the child been spending most of his/her time? Who has been the main caretaker? What extra-curricular or social activities is the child involved in? Who assists with extra-curricular activities? How old is the child? Are there any special needs that must be considered? What family support does the parent receive? What type of work hours does the parent or guardian maintain? Who will be there to take care of the child in family or work related emergencies? What are the child’s choices? Is the child old enough to testify? What will a social study or home study show? What agreements can the family come to?
Legal Support in Dallas Child Custody Cases
It is important to remember that a stable healthy environment will carry heavy momentum. Courts are not so concerned about whether a spouse has been fair to the other when it comes to child custody. Judges are used to seeing the relationship with the child as separate and distinct from the parents relationship. Just because one is a bad spouse does not necessarily mean that they are a bad parent. Also, there are many situations where the parents are not legally married. In these cases, a suit for child custody can still be determined without a traditional divorce. SAPCR suits or Suits Affecting Parent Child Relationship are the vehicle for fighting child custody battles when there is no divorce. SAPCRs can be filed by parents or other family members seeking custody. SAPCRs also can be filed by parents who were divorced but now want to revisit issues of child custody in court.
In many SAPCR suits there is the issue of who has had custody. There may arise emergent needs to change current custody situations. These often arise when the child is subjected to dangerous, unhealthy or unstable conditions. One common scenario is when the parent gets involved in another relationship and the new partner presents risk(s) to the child’s environment. Another common situation is when a parent becomes dependent on drugs or alcohol. A once good parent can make bad choices and then materially change the nature of their parenting relationship. Often times a parent will find a need to change the custody understandings. Or, when the child is removed from his/her environment without the lawful consent of the parents/guardians. In these cases, it is important to act quickly and decisively to cure the child’s environment. However, it is also important to keep in mind that when going to court, one must possess admissible evidence that will show that there are substantially changed conditions that qualify for a change in custody status.
Although a safe stable environment will remain undisturbed in most cases, one that is substantially changed can be the basis of change even after years of settled custody. In revising child custody, issues such as child support and payments also need to be considered. At Mathur Law Offices, we will take the time necessary to review carefully all the factors relating to child custody before entering court. We will prepare our client to make sure their case can get the absolute best chances of success. Our experience teaches us that preparation and understanding of how the processes play out, is paramount in yielding results. Call a Dallas child custody lawyer at our offices for a consultation to review your case.
If you are currently struggling with child custody, do not hesitate to contact a Dallas Child Custody Attorney at our firm as quickly as you can for legal representation that you can trust.