Our children are the most precious parts of our lives. Unfortunately, this often makes them the center of the most contentious issues in a divorce. Coming to an agreement on child custody and support is important for both parents and, more importantly, for your children.
Houston Child Custody Attorneys
In Texas, family courts assume that shared custody is in the best interest of children in a divorce. One parent will typically have primary custody; this is referred to as being the custodial parent. The non-custodial parent receives rights to visitation at specified times.
The state follows a standard custody order, but a different schedule may be accepted by the court if both parents agree. When pursuing a child custody agreement, our Houston child custody lawyers will address issues such as:
• Who will have primary custody, and what will be the visitation rights of the non-custodial parent?
• What duties and decision-making rights will be assigned to each parent?
• In what geographic region will the children reside?
Protecting your relationship with your children will be our top concern when creating a child custody arrangement and visitation schedule. No two families are exactly alike, so we understand that a one-size-fits-all arrangement may not be the right arrangement for your family.
At Ricardo N. Gonzalez & Associates, our Houston child custody lawyers help parents reach an agreement through negotiation, mediation and even litigation when all other avenues are exhausted.
Child Support Lawyers in Houston, Texas
Another difficult issue can be child support. For the most part, both parents want the needs of their children to be met, but it’s not unreasonable to not want to pay more than your fair share.
The Houston child support attorneys at Ricardo N. Gonzalez & Associates understand the concerns of parents seeking to provide for the care and well-being of their kids. Our attorneys are committed to finding solutions that are equitable and fair for both the custodial and noncustodial parent, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the child’s needs are provided for.
Most divorces in Houston, Texas that involve children will also include some amount of child support. As experienced child support attorneys, it is our job to ensure that the correct amount of support is ordered.
Determining that amount will include considering factors such as:
• Child custody arrangements
• Income, assets, resources and debts of each parent
• Child care expenses
• Health care expenses
• Educational expenses
A question commonly asked by parents is, “Can I refuse to allow visitation if the noncustodial spouse is behind on child support payments?” While we understand the desire to do this, child support and visitation do not go hand-in-hand in the eyes of the law. Neither a parent nor the court has the authority to refuse visitation rights based only on child support non-payment.
Another frequently asked question is, “I have a child support arrangement but I am unable to make the payments due to changes in circumstances. What can I do?” It is possible to modify an existing child support agreement. An experienced child support attorney at The Gonzalez Group can help you with this.
Get Help from a Houston Family Law Attorney Today
For more than 30 years, Ricardo N. Gonzalez & Associates has been providing experienced legal assistance to individuals and families throughout the Houston area. Our reputation has been built around excellent client services, honest and direct communications, and sincere hard work.
If you or a loved one needs help with a child custody or child support issue, contact our Houston family attorneys today for assistance. Our Houston family lawyers offer legal services in English and Spanish (Espańol).
