Katy Child Custody Lawyer
Trusted Child Custody Attorney in Katy, TX
As a parent, child custody is one of the most important issues. Having a good child custody arrangement can support your child’s well-being, safety, and development. A Katy child custody lawyer can pursue favorable child custody arrangements based on your child’s unique needs.
KGK Family Law: Work With a Skilled Katy Family Law Attorney
At KGK Family Law, we care about finding the right custody arrangement for your family. We understand that each child has different needs and family circumstances, which is why we work with you to fully understand your goals before creating a custom parenting plan.
Our lawyers have a deep understanding of Texas’s child support laws and how to craft effective and enforceable parenting plans. Our lead attorneys, Denise Khoury and Yasmit Kutty, each have over 20 years of legal experience.
An Overview of Child Custody Cases
Child custody cases are meant to design a plan so that a child receives the care they need. In Katy, 28.4% of the population is under 18. While many of these children do not need child custody orders from the court, many do.
In Texas, 42.1% of all live births are to unmarried mothers. These children, children of divorced or separated parents, and children of incapacitated parents, are only some of the examples of when child custody orders may be needed.
The Two Types of Child Custody in Texas
There are many elements to a child custody order to be aware of. The two main types of child custody that must be decided include:
- Physical custody. Physical custody involves determining the parent with whom the child lives. If one parent is granted physical custody, the child can live with them and receive day-to-day care. However, physical custody is often split, allowing a child to live with both parents.
- Legal custody. Legal custody involves which parent has the ability to make important decisions for the child. This includes choices about healthcare, religious activities, education, extracurricular activities, and travel.
Texas’s child custody laws state that a parent can have sole custody or that parents can have joint custody. In many cases, the court prefers joint custody as it allows the child to retain a strong relationship with both parents. However, sole custody can be prudent or necessary in many cases. Even if only one parent has custody, the other parent may still have visitation rights.
How Courts Make Decisions in a Child Custody Case?
In Katy, many child custody cases are handled in the Harris County Civil Courthouse at 201 Caroline Street, Houston. Here, a judge can evaluate the facts of your case and apply Texas’s child custody laws.
When making a decision, a judge considers what custody arrangement is in the best interests of the child. The best interests of a child are a legal standard that involves making custody decisions based on what supports the child’s well-being, safety, and stability.
To determine whether a custody arrangement is in the best interests of the child, the court may look at evidence of the child’s needs, their involvement and connection with the community, their relationship with both parents, and both parents’ ability to provide a stable and healthy environment for their child. Often, this is done by analyzing evidence such as:
- Educational records
- Medical records
- Both parents’ financial information
- Witness testimonies
- The child’s preference
- Police reports, CPS reports, and other reports of domestic violence or child abuse
Why You Should Hire a Child Custody Lawyer?
It is not always easy to prove that your preferred custody arrangement is in the best interests of your child, even if that is true. If you hire a child custody lawyer, they can help you gather evidence and advocate for your case in court. This is especially important in cases where you and the child’s other parent are not able to reach a settlement in a child custody case.
FAQs
Who Is Most Likely to Get Custody of a Child?
Neither parent is automatically more likely to get custody of a child. Instead, the court will evaluate factors such as both parents’ ability to provide for and care for the child and the child’s needs. One parent may be better equipped to be the primary caretaker and thus have custody if they are able to handle the child’s needs, provide stability, and maintain consistency in the child’s school and social life.
What Is the Biggest Mistake in a Custody Battle?
The biggest mistake in a custody battle is allowing personal emotions to get in the way of creating a child custody arrangement that suits your child’s individual needs, such as speaking badly about the other parent or expressing anger. Courts are focused on creating a plan that supports your child. When you put your own needs first, not only is this unproductive, but it may lead the court to believe that you are not fit to have custody.
Can Child Custody Orders Be Changed?
Yes, child custody orders can and should be changed if your circumstances have changed. Changes that may warrant modifying a child custody order include remarriage, divorce, a child’s new medical needs, major job changes, relocation, or abuse or neglect. Importantly, you should adhere to all existing orders until new orders have been established by the court, even if you and the child’s other parent agree on the changes.
When Do You Have to Pay Child Support in Texas?
In Texas, you may be obligated to pay child support if you do not have primary physical custody of your child. Child support fulfills the noncustodial parent’s responsibility to financially provide for their children. For one child, the amount of child support you have to pay in Texas is about 20% of your total income. Often, child support orders are established during a child custody case, after it is determined which parent has primary physical custody.
Reach Out to a Katy Child Custody Lawyer
While a child custody case can feel stressful, working with a lawyer can help you feel more in control by pursuing favorable outcomes and protecting your child’s best interests. If you are ready to speak with a Katy child custody attorney, contact KGK Family Law.
Houston
7700 San Felipe
STE 505
Houston, TX 77063
Fort Bend County / Sugar Land
12603 Southwest Fwy
STE 572
Stafford, TX 77477
Travis County Satellite Office
222 West Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
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