Divorce and separation in Texas is a multi-layered legal issue, as it involves not only the spouses, but the children as well. Because child custody laws in Texas are complex, many parents are unsure of how to go about completing the process. The circumstances of the separation have a huge impact on how the custody proceedings will play out. In a divorce situation, generally, if the divorce is smooth and without hostility, the custody aspect of the case will be equally smooth, and parents can hopefully come to an agreement regarding their parental rights and responsibilities.
Legal and Physical
Generally, there are two types of custody, or conservatorship, granted in custody cases – joint conservatorship and sole conservatorship. In sole conservatorship, one parent is awarded the right of legal custody and makes all parental decisions for the child. A conservator, sole or joint, may have the right to make medical, legal, educational and other decisions that affect the welfare of the child.
Meeting of the Minds
Parental agreements are common in divorce and custody proceedings. A parenting agreement is an agreement regarding the parental responsibilities of each parent. These agreements will be converted to orders, and will allow you to take legal action against the other parent should the other parent not uphold their obligations. Typical agreements include parental rights and duties, visitation, child support, and medical coverage. The advice of a lawyer is beneficial when drafting any sort of legal agreement. Cheryl Alsandor, a Houston child custody specialist, is also a trained mediator, and can help you reach an agreement with your child’s parent.
