Child Custody Attorney in The Woodlands

Defend What’s Most Important

Child custody disputes are some of the most emotionally taxing and intense cases we take on. We know the importance of having a legal team that is willing to fight for your child, and what judges take into consideration, including

Your child’s age
Their physical and emotional needs
The stability of each parent’s home

Any prior out-of-home placements
And more

Family law attorney Rachael Griffith is committed to bringing your case to a swift and successful resolution for the wellbeing of your child.

Contact Griffith Law Office

The Woodlands Custody Lawyer

Aggressive and Impactful Litigation

Sole Custody
Sole custody is typically awarded to one parent when the other parent’s behavior becomes a threat to the wellbeing of the child. Sole custody makes one individual responsible for important decisions for and about the child.
Schedule Consultation
Joint Custody
Joint custody means both parents have rights, responsibilities, and physical custody of the child. This can mean the child splits time between the parent's homes 50/50, week-on, week-off, or many other structures to accommodate your lifestyle.
Schedule Consultation
Third-Party Custody
If both parents are deemed to be unfit, are missing, or are deceased, custody may be awarded to another close relative or guardian that has acted as a caregiver for six months or more.
Schedule Consultation

How Legal Custody Works

To file for custody, you must provide evidence to the court that your child’s home state is Texas and that they have lived with a parent or a person acting as a parent for a minimum of six consecutive months prior to filing.

After establishing residency, our child custody lawyers will assist you in filing all appropriate paperwork. We will offer legal advice based on your specific circumstances.

If both biological parents were never married, there may be questions of paternity to resolve before a sole or joint managing conservatorship can be established. We are familiar with Texas law surrounding divorce and family law issues, with extensive experience negotiating child custody cases.

Resolutions That Are Best For Your Child.

The Woodlands Custody Attorney

Mediation
Reaching a mutual agreement between parents is typically the easiest way for a child to understand and handle changing family dynamics.
Negotiation
Both parties are welcome to draft an agreement to present to their divorce attorneys, but this can be difficult without the help of counsel to advise you.
Litigation
If mediation fails, our child custody attorneys will litigate your child custody agreement for the outcomes you and your child deserve.

Experienced Custody Lawyer in The Woodlands, Texas

Most child custody cases involving two parents result in a standard possession order, otherwise known as the “standard” custody arrangement, with one parent being the primary home and the other parent allowed visitation on weekends, holidays, summer vacation, and important events.

During a child custody hearing or trial, the court may deviate from this arrangement based on:

Which parent acts as the primary caregiver
The status quo of childcare arrangements
Substance abuse issues
Mental health issues
The history of visitation
Domestic violence or criminal history
Work schedules and employment of each parent
The child’s developmental issues
Living situations and behavioral history of each parent

Ultimately, custody is determined by what is determined to be best for the child overall. To make the best argument for the custody outcomes you want, it’s essential that you hire an experienced attorney in The Woodlands, TX.

Your Child Custody Case Starts Here

1. Contact Our Law Firm

2. Follow Legal Counsel & File Paperwork

3. Reach a Custody Agreement Quickly

Schedule Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a judge determine what is in the best interest of the child?

The best interest of the child is not a matter of opinion, but rather a set of guidelines presented to the court to follow. These guidelines include digging into details such as

The child’s age
The emotional and physical needs of the child
The risk for emotional or physical danger, now or in the future
Stability of the home
Access to a support system
Family history including substance abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and criminal history
Evaluations of the children, family members, and those with regular access to the home
The preference of the child if expressed and the child is over 12

HOW DOES A JUDGE DETERMINE WHO GETS CUSTODY?

Even if the parents reach an understanding, a judge still has to sign off before the custody agreement is enforceable. If a judge or jury needs to settle a custody dispute, they prioritize what is in the best interest of the children, which can involve many factors.

WHICH PARENT IS MORE LIKELY TO BE GRANTED CUSTODY?

Texas law clearly states that the court can’t favor one parental role over the other. While there should be no bias against the mother or father, a judge will be influenced by one individual’s behavior and history.