Frisco Child Custody Attorneys
Trusted & Experienced Legal Counsel for Parents in Collin County, TX
Child custody cases are among the most important and complex family law matters. Parents who are separating, divorcing, or who have never been married to each other must establish a custody arrangement that outlines where their child will live and how decisions about their health, education, and well-being will be made.
At Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers, our Frisco child custody lawyers understand the stakes involved in these cases. We know how important your child is to you and how important it is to protect their best interests. Our attorneys are here to help you navigate the process and work to secure a resolution that allows you to maintain a healthy, loving relationship with your child.
If you need help with a child custody matter in Frisco or anywhere in Collin County, contact us online or call (940) 293-2313 to request a consultation.
What is Child Custody in Collin County, TX?
Child custody matters are referred to as “conservatorship” in Texas. The term “custody” is not used in the Texas Family Code, although it is commonly used to refer to conservatorship. Under Texas law, conservatorship is a legal arrangement that outlines the rights and responsibilities of parents and other adults regarding the care, custody, and control of a child.
Common types of child custody arrangements in Texas include:
- Sole Managing Conservatorship: This is akin to sole custody, where one parent has the exclusive right to make decisions regarding the child's upbringing, such as education, healthcare, and religion. The other parent may still have visitation rights.
- Joint Managing Conservatorship: This is similar to joint custody, where both parents share the rights and duties of raising the child, including decision-making responsibilities. However, the child may primarily reside with one parent, while the other parent has visitation rights.
Possession and access (visitation) determine the schedule and frequency of time each parent spends with the child. The Texas Family Code outlines a standard possession order that provides guidelines for visitation schedules, including alternating weekends, holidays, and extended summer visitation.
We have helped families just like yours through all types of divorce and family law-related matters. Find out how one of our Board-Certified Family Law Specialists can help you.
When determining child custody, Texas courts consider the following factors:
- The child's wishes (if they are at least 12 years old)
- The child's physical, mental, and emotional needs
- Each parent's ability to meet the child's needs
- Each parent's involvement in the child's life
- The child's current and future physical and emotional environments
- Any history of domestic violence or child abuse
Texas courts begin with the presumption that both parents should be involved in the child's life. However, if there is evidence that one parent poses a danger to the child's well-being, the court will not award that parent with custody rights.
Additionally, Texas courts may consider the child's preference, but only if they are at least 12 years old. The court will then consider the child's wishes when making a custody determination, although the child's preference is not the only factor the court will consider.
Finally, it is important to note that the court's primary concern when making a child custody determination is the child's best interests. The court is not concerned with the parents' wishes or preferences and will not take them into account when making a custody decision.
How to Get Child Custody in Collin County, TX
The legal process of obtaining child custody in Collin County typically involves several steps, whether it is part of a divorce proceeding or a separate custody case. Here is a general overview of the process:
- Filing a Petition: The process usually begins with one parent filing a petition for custody with the appropriate family court. This petition outlines the desired custody arrangement and may also include requests for child support, visitation, and other relevant matters.
- Notification and Response: After the petition is filed, the other parent is served with a copy of the petition and given an opportunity to respond. They may file a response with the Court, either agreeing to the proposed custody arrangement or contesting it and presenting their own proposal.
- Mediation (Optional): In many cases, the Court may require or encourage the parents to attend mediation to try to reach an agreement on custody and visitation outside of Court. A neutral mediator facilitates discussions between the parents and helps them work toward a mutually acceptable solution.
- Discovery: If the parents are unable to reach an agreement through mediation, the next step may involve the process of discovery. This involves gathering relevant information, such as financial records, employment history, and evidence related to the child's best interests, which may be used as evidence in Court.
- Temporary Orders: While the custody case is pending, either parent may request temporary orders from the Court to establish a custody and visitation arrangement on a temporary basis until a final decision is made. Temporary orders may also address issues like child support and financial responsibilities.
- Court Hearing: If the parents are unable to reach a resolution through mediation or negotiation, the case will proceed to a Court hearing. During the hearing, both parents will have the opportunity to present their arguments and evidence to the judge, who will then make a decision based on the best interests of the child.
- Final Orders: After considering the evidence presented at the hearing, the judge will issue final orders regarding custody, visitation, child support, and any other relevant matters. These orders are legally binding and enforceable, and both parents are required to comply with them.
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Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers helped us with our first Will document 15 years ago and helped us to update it recently. We were leaving the country and needed the documents done quickly. They asked all the important questions and completed the documents in a timely manner. We would trust Coker, Robb, & Cannon with all of our family concerns.- Laura
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Mr. Pax did an excellent job with my divorce from the consult to final disposition. He made the process easier than I expected, since I was moving during the divorce process. He always had time to answer questions and set appropriate expectations. He and the staff worked around my sometimes odd schedule to get things done. I found everyone I interacted with to be friendly, professional and courteous. I would recommend them to anyone else needing a divorce attorney.- Patricia
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I had a nasty divorce going with my ex-wife who was using one of the High Power Dallas Lawyers that was intent on making things difficult and costing both of us most of the money we were fighting over. Duane was able to calm me down and came up with an idea for the settlement that not only saved me and the ex money, but actually made his fees LESS EXPENSIVE!!! You will not hear of that many times with any lawyer. I would recommend him for a simple divorce or a complex one with all of the circumstances that always make things difficult. He just has a way of working things out with all parties that make so much sense the case gets settled and everyone gets what they want.- Jay N.
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STOP SEARCHING! Hire Coker, Robb & Cannon! Words will never express how I feel about all of the hard work they put in for me & my daughter. Sheba, Shelby, Rachel, & Kelly were PERFECT. In time I may find the words that convey to everyone how truly great this team is, but for now I will simply say if you need family law attorneys, HIRE THEM NOW!- Joshua N.
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Shelby is an amazing lawyer! You are in good hands with him. He was very tentative to my wants/needs and got me the justification I was seeking. Thank you!- Lexy C.
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Truly one of the most professional & knowledgeable attorneys I have had the pleasure of working with.- Jay Marks
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I was more than taken care of by this law firm. My attorney Shelby Hart believed in my case since day one. My situation was far from easy, I was trying to move out of state with my son to start a family with my husband. His father wanted to restrict me to the county I currently lived it. I was turned away by another attorney because she said there was no way I had a chance. But when I called Shelby he was nothing but uplifting, positive, and honest about the risk and chances but was reassuring of my chance and possibilities. He never gave up and found all kinds of ways to make this happen for me. He was always keeping me informed and allowed me to make any and all final decisions. Ashley Leverett, his parallel was always so helpful and on top of everything. She was also very sympathetic with me and gave good advice as well has helped me along the way with getting all my documents together. Even down to billing and payments, Georgia was always pleasant to work with on arranging and making my payments as well as answering any questions I had. Shelby, Ashley, and I won the case and I am completely moved in with my husband, son and newest member on the way! We are so happy and grateful for all the help we got at Coker!- Piper S.
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Coker Law Firm represented me in my modification case. They were very informative and helpful throughout the entire process. They were also very patient and very persistent when opposing counsel was slow to respond. With their help, I was able to resolve my modification to my approval without compromising. I would recommend their services to anyone needing a family law firm.- Catherine
Why Choose Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers?
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Video Consultations & Meetings Available
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Voted Best Family Law Firm & Best Law Firm in Denton County
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Working Hard to Achieve the Best Results Possible
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Deeply Committed to Listening & Helping You
Collaborative Solutions for Complex Custody Cases
Navigating the complexities of child custody disputes can be emotionally and legally challenging. At Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers, we understand the importance of protecting the best interests of your child while advocating for your parental rights.
Our experienced Frisco custody team is dedicated to providing compassionate guidance, strategic representation, and personalized solutions tailored to your unique circumstances. Let us support you through every step of the child custody process, working tirelessly to achieve a favorable outcome for you and your family. Trust in our expertise to help you navigate this challenging time with confidence and assurance.
Contact us today at (940) 293-2313 to discuss your case with our child custody lawyers in Frisco.
