Child Custody Lawyer in Houston
Guiding Houston Families Through Child Custody Decisions
Custody arrangements shape your children’s lives and safeguard important family relationships. At Skillern Firm, we understand the weight of these decisions for Houston families. We address your goals and concerns with practical solutions, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. Whether you seek to establish, modify, or enforce custody, our team listens and builds a path that fits your family’s reality.
Reach us at (832) 688-6606 to start a conversation with our Houston child visitation lawyer.
What to Expect When You Work With Our Visitation Lawyer in Houston
Custody arrangements in Texas rely on what courts call the “best interest of the child.” In Houston and Harris County, local judges weigh factors such as family schedules, the child’s unique needs, and each parent’s ability to create a healthy relationship. As child custody attorneys in Houston, we help you understand what these guidelines mean so you make informed choices. Our team stands by you throughout negotiations and, if needed, court hearings, always aiming for solutions that fit your family’s needs.
If you are facing challenges with a current custody order, want to create a new agreement, or need to resolve disputes, we help you approach the process calmly and efficiently. We do not just “file paperwork”—instead, we explain what your options mean, set clear priorities, and keep your child’s best interests in focus at every turn.
The Child Visitation Process in Houston
If you consider working with a visitation attorney in Houston, expect these key steps in the process:
- Initial consultation and goal setting: We listen to your concerns, review your current situation, and clarify your priorities for your family.
- Gathering information: Together, we collect schedules, records, and any supporting details relevant to your child’s needs and each parent’s relationship.
- Negotiation and agreement-building: Many Houston families resolve possession and access schedules through mediated discussions, focusing on practical solutions and mutual respect.
- If an agreement cannot be reached: We represent you in court and present your case to the judge, always keeping your child’s interests and long-term stability in focus.
- Guidance during and after the process: We answer your questions at every step, clarify expectations, and help make smooth transitions possible for all involved.
FAQs
How do Houston courts decide on custody schedules?
Courts focus on the best interest of the child, considering the family’s circumstances, work schedules, and the child’s needs. Judges often use Texas’s standard possession schedule as a starting point but can tailor arrangements for unique situations.
Can a custody order be changed later?
Yes, custody orders can be modified if a significant change affects the child’s needs or a parent’s circumstances. The court reviews any proposed changes carefully to ensure continued support for the child’s best interests.
What happens if someone does not follow the custody order?
If a parent fails to follow the court-ordered schedule, you can seek enforcement through the local court. Documentation of missed visits or violations helps the court assess solutions.
Are supervised visits ever required?
Supervised visitation may be ordered when the court feels it is necessary for a child’s safety or well-being. Each case is reviewed individually based on specific risks or concerns.
Do grandparents or other relatives ever qualify for custody rights?
Texas law allows certain relatives, like grandparents, to request custody and/or possession and access rights in limited situations. Courts review each case on its own facts, considering the child’s best interest at all times.
Start a Conversation with Our Child Custody Attorney in Houston
Taking the first step in a custody matter can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to go through it alone. Talk with our team at Skillern Firm to discuss your questions, learn your options, and build a custody plan grounded in trust and clarity. We are ready to listen—and to help you move forward with confidence.
Reach us at (832) 688-6606 to start a conversation with our Houston child custody attorney who puts your family’s future first.
Qualifying for Divorce in Fort Bend County, Texas
Before you file for divorce in Fort Bend County (also known as marriage dissolution), you need to determine whether you qualify. In accordance with the Texas Family Code, you or your spouse must have lived in Texas for at least six months. If you wish to file in Fort Bend County, then you must have lived in the County for at least 90 days. If you or your spouse is pregnant, then you will also be unable to finalize the divorce until after the child is born. However, you can still start the process during the pregnancy.
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Making the decision to file for divorce is a difficult and emotional process. Once it’s been made, you need to be able to move on with your life and look towards a bright future. While emotions are high, it is easy for your judgment to be clouded, and you might agree to things in an attempt to move things along without understanding the long-term ramifications. A divorce decree is a legally binding document, and it could have a big impact on the rest of your life. It is important that matters such as property division are carried out in a fair and just manner and that any matters involving children are made with their best interests at heart.
At Skillern Firm Divorce & Child Custody Lawyers, your Fort Bend County divorce attorney has no emotional investment in your divorce case. That means they can guide you to make the right decisions from a place of clarity. They can also lend a sympathetic ear when you need it and without judgment. Your attorney will make sure that all paperwork is filled out correctly and filed on time. Any mistakes can cost time and money, and when you have guidance from an attorney, it will take away a lot of the stress. Your attorney can explain everything to you also that it’s easy to understand. That way, you can make informed decisions that protect your future.
Skillern Firm Divorce & Child Custody Lawyers also prioritizes mediation and negotiation wherever possible. This has many benefits, including:
- Saves time and energy because you will require less court involvement.
- It protects children from conflict.
- It allows you and your spouse to come to personalized arrangements that work for you.
- It could help you, and your ex-spouse remain amicable, which can be beneficial if you have children.
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Once your paperwork has been filed and served, the next steps will depend on the type of divorce you are pursuing. In a contested divorce, the respondent will need to file an answer within 20 days. Otherwise, you could be granted your divorce by default. There may be issues that need to be worked out, such as those related to child custody and property division, and you should contact an attorney from Skillern Firm Divorce & Child Custody Lawyers to guide you through the process and ensure that your rights are protected. Regardless of whether the divorce is contested or uncontested, once the respondent has filed an answer, spouses will need to exchange initial disclosures. Initial disclosures provide information and documents about each spouse’s property and other financial matters. They will need to submit this within 30 days unless there is a written agreement to extend the time.
You may also need to attend a hearing for temporary orders, which will guide you while you wait for your divorce to be finalized. Temporary orders may cover things such as child custody, who will live in the family home, and orders to prevent spouses from hiding, selling, or damaging marital property. Judges may also issue these orders independently if they think it is necessary. The judge will expect couples to try and use mediation to come to amicable decisions, but where this is not possible, they will step in. High-conflict or high-asset divorces may require many hearings to work through all the issues before the divorce can be finalized.
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Once you have filed for divorce in Fort Bend County, you will need to serve your spouse your divorce papers, including the petition, a notice of the divorce proceeding, a blank form for them to file their answer, and any other paperwork. There are two ways to do this:
SERVICE OF PROCESS
The most common way of serving your spouse is to have an authorized process server, constable, sheriff, or other authorized adults (with no interest in the divorce), personally deliver the documents. If this method has failed, then you may request to complete a personal service through other methods, such as email. If you still cannot find them, then you may request the judge’s permission for publication in a local newspaper.
WAIVER OF SERVICE
If you and your spouse agree to everything and you do not wish to go through the formal service process, then you can simply hand the documents to your spouse. Your spouse will then need to sign a waiver form in the presence of a notary.
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“I had a divorce case involving a minor child, and choosing this law firm was the best decision I could have made. Attorney Amber Skillern was outstanding — professional, efficient, and incredibly supportive. Everything was handled quickly and precisely. She explained every step clearly and made a stressful situation feel manageable.”- Olena L.
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“Skillern Firm is the best attorneys in Houston. He genuinely cares about his clients and his firm is diligent, hardworking and very through. I highly recommend him and do not have enough words to thank him for his extraordinary performance in getting justice for my family.”- Fauzia S.
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“Matt's legal expertise and strategic approach were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to listen to my concerns, addressing each one with patience and clarity. His ability to navigate the complexities of family law while being completely present and compassionate was truly remarkable. I felt supported every step of the way, which made a challenging time in my life much more manageable.”- Milana T.
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“My hired attorney is Alex. She’s phenomenal! I recommend her at any opportunity that I can. She is everything you would want in an attorney and it was so reassuring to have her support throughout this whole process. She’s worth every penny!”- Taylor T.
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“Omg!! All I can say is Thank you, I can’t express how much I appreciate you guys! YOU SAVED OUR LIVES, and I will forever be grateful! I highly recommend hiring them, they will fight for you, the outcome was a success! My son and I have our freedom thanks to them!”- Stephanie B.
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“Skillern Firm was an outstanding law firm that guided me through my divorce petition from start to finish. Amber, my attorney, was a pleasure to work with. I truly appreciate her dedication and the effort she put into ensuring the process went as smoothly as possible.”- Luna O.
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“Not one detail missed and with the situation where my children were at risk, the extra care and attention made all the difference to get full judgement in my favor. I highly recommend Matt and his team!”- Tracy C.
Accountability Starts Here
