Child Visitation Attorney

Protecting Your Time With Your Children During Visitation Disputes

Your visitation order shapes how often you see your children, when you share holidays, and how you stay involved in their daily lives. When that schedule is uncertain, unfair, or constantly ignored, it can feel like your relationship with your child is slipping out of your control. In these moments, you need clear guidance from a child visitation attorney who understands both the law and the emotional weight of what is at stake.

At Skillern Firm, our family law attorneys help parents in Houston protect meaningful time with their children during divorce, separation, and post-divorce disputes. We know you are not just fighting over dates on a calendar. You are trying to preserve a stable, loving bond in the middle of conflict, changing routines, and sometimes real safety concerns. Our role is to stand beside you, explain your options, and work to secure a visitation plan that reflects your child’s best interests and your role in their life.

We bring strong, compassionate representation to every case. That means we listen carefully to your goals, we give you honest feedback about what courts in this area typically consider, and we prepare to advocate for you through negotiation or, when necessary, in front of a judge. If you are facing a visitation dispute and do not know what comes next, you can contact us to talk about your situation and your options.

To speak with our experienced child visitation lawyers, call us at (832) 688-6606 or contact us online today. 

How Our Houston Family Law Attorneys Approach Child Visitation

Parents who contact us are often balancing enormous pressure. They are trying to protect their children, keep up with work and school demands, and navigate a legal system that can feel confusing and intimidating. Our approach is designed to bring structure and clarity to that situation. As a child visitation lawyer, we focus first on understanding your family’s dynamics, your current schedule, and your concerns about the other parent.

From there, we help you identify realistic goals that reflect your child’s needs and your role in their life. Some families benefit from a detailed schedule that leaves little room for argument. Others need flexibility, especially when work hours or long commutes make standard schedules difficult. We work with you to decide what kind of plan will actually function day to day, not just look good on paper.

We also recognize that not every case needs a courtroom battle. Our team works to resolve visitation issues through negotiation or mediation whenever possible, because reaching a workable agreement can reduce stress for children and parents alike. At the same time, we prepare carefully for hearings when a fair or safe arrangement cannot be reached. Our goal is to present a clear picture to the court about your child’s needs, your involvement, and why a particular schedule or condition is necessary.

One of the reasons many parents choose Skillern Firm is our philosophy. We do not view you as a transaction or try to push you into unnecessary conflict. We are not here to sell divorces. We are here to stand with you when life has already brought you to a difficult point and to guide you toward decisions that serve your long-term family well-being.

Understanding Visitation & Possession Schedules in Texas

Texas law uses the terms “possession and access” to describe what many parents call visitation. The law provides default schedules that courts can use, but judges also have the discretion to adjust those schedules when needed. Understanding these basic frameworks can help you see what is typical and where there may be room to request something different.

One common framework in Texas is known as the Standard Possession Order. This kind of order often sets regular weekday and weekend time for the parent who does not have the majority of school nights, along with alternating holidays and extended time in the summer. Courts in Harris County and nearby counties often start by considering this structure, then look at whether it makes sense for the child involved.

There are also variations from the Standard Possession Order. Younger children may need shorter, more frequent visits instead of long stretches away from a primary home. Parents who live farther apart may need different pickup locations or longer blocks of time during school breaks to make travel worthwhile. In some situations, such as when there are serious safety concerns, a court may order supervised visitation or add specific conditions to protect the child.

Judges generally focus on what they believe is in the child’s best interests. They may look at factors such as the child’s age, school and activity schedules, each parent’s involvement in daily care, the ability of the parents to communicate, and any history that affects the child’s safety or stability. Our attorneys help you understand how those factors might apply in your case and what types of schedules are more likely to be considered by the court.

Common Child Visitation Issues We Help Parents Navigate

Creating & Adjusting Visitation Schedules

No two families handle visitation the same way. However, many parents face similar patterns of conflict or difficulty. When you recognize your own situation in these examples, it can be reassuring to know that there are legal tools and strategies available and that you do not have to navigate them alone with a visitation attorney.

We frequently assist parents who are creating a visitation schedule for the first time during a divorce or break-up. These cases often involve figuring out school night routines, transportation between homes, and fair division of holidays and vacations. Other parents come to us when an existing order is simply not working anymore, because job hours have changed, children have grown older, or one parent has moved to a different part of the city or out of the area.

Enforcement, Safety & Relocation Concerns

Conflict can also arise when one parent does not follow the court order. This can include repeated late pickups, last-minute cancellations, or outright refusal to exchange the child. In more serious situations, there may be concerns about substance use, unsafe people in the home, or behavior that puts a child at risk. In those cases, we help parents consider options such as requesting enforcement, asking the court to modify the schedule, or seeking protections like supervised visitation when the facts support that step.

We also see cases involving relocation disputes, where one parent wants to move to a different city or state. Moves like this can dramatically change how often a child sees the other parent. Our attorneys work with parents to look at the legal standards that apply, the practical impact on the child, and possible ways to structure time, such as longer visits over school breaks or holidays. In every type of situation, we stay focused on solutions that protect children and support more stable co-parenting over the long term.

What To Do If You Are Facing a Visitation Dispute

When visitation problems start, it is easy for emotions to take over. You may feel tempted to withhold the child in response, send angry messages, or make quick decisions to “even the score.” These reactions are understandable, but they can sometimes hurt your position later. Taking a few organized steps early can help you protect both your child and your case with guidance from a visitation lawyer.

First, it is usually helpful to document what is happening. This can include dates and times of missed visits, messages about cancellations, and any incidents that cause concern. Clear, factual notes can give both your attorney and the court a better picture of patterns over time. Screenshots, calendars, and saved emails or texts are often easier to understand than vague descriptions of “constant problems.”

Second, try to follow your existing court order as closely as you safely can. Courts generally look more favorably on parents who comply with orders and use legal processes to address violations, rather than taking matters entirely into their own hands. If you believe your child is in immediate danger, your safety concerns should be discussed with an attorney promptly to consider what steps are appropriate.

Third, be careful about what you say in writing and what you post on social media. Messages written in anger can be taken out of context and used against you. Communication that stays focused on the child’s needs, logistics, and safety often holds up better if it is later reviewed in court.

Finally, schedule time to talk with a family law attorney about your situation. An early consultation can help you understand your rights, the options available in the courts that handle family cases here, and the potential consequences of different choices. You do not need to have every document gathered before you make that call. Starting a conversation can give you a clearer plan and reduce the feeling that you are reacting alone.

How Our Team Guides You Through the Visitation Process

Listening, Planning & Strategy

When you contact Skillern Firm, our first priority is to understand what is happening in your family and what you want for your children. During an initial consultation, we listen to your concerns about schedules, communication, and any history of conflict or safety issues. We also ask about practical details, such as work hours, school locations, and the child’s routines, so that we can see how a visitation plan would work in real life.

Once we understand your situation, we help you outline your goals. For some parents, that might mean securing a schedule that gives them more overnights or clearer holiday time. For others, it might mean building in protections, such as supervised visits or specific conditions, to address serious concerns. Our attorneys use their knowledge of family courts in the Houston area to discuss which options are more likely to fit with how local judges typically view similar cases.

Negotiation, Mediation & Court Hearings

We then work with you to decide on a strategy. This can include drafting proposals to share with the other parent, preparing for mediation, or, when discussions have already broken down, preparing for hearings. We strive to use negotiation and mediation effectively, because resolved agreements can give families more control over the details of their schedules and often feel less adversarial for children.

When a case needs to be presented to a judge, we prepare thoroughly. This may involve organizing your documentation, helping you think through how to describe your concerns calmly and clearly, and presenting evidence that shows how different visitation options would affect your child. Throughout the process, we aim to keep you informed about what to expect next, what decisions you may need to make, and how different choices could affect your parenting time moving forward.

To speak with our experienced child visitation lawyers, call us at (832) 688-6606 or contact us online today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a judge decide visitation in Texas?

A judge in Texas generally decides visitation by focusing on what they believe is in the child’s best interests. That usually includes looking at each parent’s involvement in caregiving, the child’s age and needs, school and activity schedules, and the ability of the parents to cooperate. Courts also consider any history of family violence, substance use, or other safety concerns.

Many judges start by looking at common frameworks such as a Standard Possession Order, then decide whether that structure works for the particular child. For example, younger children may need different schedules than teenagers, and parents who live far apart may need adjustments to make travel feasible. Our attorneys help you understand these factors and how they might apply in the courts that handle family cases in this area.

What can I do if the other parent keeps denying my visitation?

If the other parent keeps denying your court-ordered visitation, you typically have options to address that behavior. One step is to carefully document each time a visit is refused, including dates, times, and any messages explaining why. This record can help show whether the issue is occasional or part of an ongoing pattern.

You may then be able to ask the court to enforce the order. This can involve asking a judge to review the violations and consider remedies that might include make-up time, changes to the order, or other consequences, depending on the facts and the court’s discretion. Our team can review your documentation, explain what enforcement tools may be available in your situation, and help you decide how to proceed in a way that supports your relationship with your child.

Can my visitation order be changed if our schedule is not working?

Visitation orders are not always permanent. In many cases, you may be able to request a modification when there has been a significant change in circumstances or when an existing schedule is no longer practical or beneficial for the child. Common changes include new work hours, a child starting a different school, or a move that affects travel time.

Courts typically look at whether the requested change is in the child’s best interests and whether it is supported by evidence of the changed circumstances. Sometimes parents agree on new terms and simply need them put into a clear, enforceable order. In other cases, there is disagreement and a judge must decide. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether your situation may support a modification and what kinds of changes you might realistically request.

Will the court listen if I have safety concerns about visitation?

Courts generally take credible safety concerns seriously, especially when they involve a child. If you have concerns about issues such as substance use, violence, neglect, or other behaviors that could put your child at risk, it is important to share specific information with your attorney. Vague fears carry less weight than detailed accounts, documents, or other evidence that supports your concerns.

Depending on the circumstances, courts might consider measures such as supervised visitation, restrictions on certain activities, or conditions the other parent must follow during visits. The exact options available will depend on the facts of your case and the law. Our role is to help you present safety concerns appropriately and to request arrangements that protect your child while respecting the legal standards judges in this area apply.

How can your team help reduce conflict around visitation?

We work to reduce conflict by combining clear legal guidance with practical planning. During our meetings, we help you identify the specific issues that cause the most disagreement, such as unclear pickup times or inconsistent communication. Then we look for ways to build more structure or clarity into your visitation plan so that fewer decisions need to be made in the heat of the moment.

We also encourage approaches that focus discussions on the child’s needs rather than old arguments between parents. When possible, we use negotiation and mediation to allow both parents to have input into the schedule, which can increase the chances that both will follow it. At the same time, we remain prepared to seek court orders that provide clear rules when cooperation is not working. Our goal is always to protect your relationship with your child while limiting unnecessary stress and conflict.

What should I bring to a consultation about visitation?

For a consultation about visitation, it helps to bring any existing court orders related to custody, visitation, or child support. These documents show what is currently in place and what the court has already decided. It is also useful to have a brief timeline of important events, such as moves, job changes, or major disputes, and any documentation of missed visits or safety concerns.

If you have messages, emails, or other written communication that relate to visitation problems, those can be helpful too. You do not need to have everything perfectly organized before we meet. Part of our role is to help you sort through what you have, identify what is most important for your case, and decide what additional information might be useful to gather.

Do I have any options if I was never given formal visitation rights?

If you were never given formal visitation rights, you may still have options to request them, especially if you are a biological parent. In many situations, establishing or confirming legal parentage is a first step. Once that is in place, you can typically ask the court to create an order that defines your visitation schedule and, if appropriate, decision-making rights.

Parents who have been informally seeing their children without an order often come to us when that access is suddenly limited or cut off. In those situations, having a clear, enforceable order can provide more stability for both you and your child. Our team can explain what steps may be available in your specific circumstances and help you take the first steps toward securing defined time with your child.

Talk With a Child Visitation Lawyer About Your Next Steps

Visitation decisions affect far more than a calendar. They shape how your child experiences daily life, how you share important moments, and how secure your relationship feels in the years ahead. When those decisions are in front of a court or caught in conflict, it is natural to feel overwhelmed and worried about what the future will look like.

Our family law attorneys at Skillern Firm help parents in Houston face these decisions with clear information and strong support. As a visitation lawyer, we work to protect your time with your children, reduce unnecessary conflict, and focus on solutions that support your family’s long-term well-being. You do not have to navigate this process alone or guess about what the law expects of you.

If you are facing a visitation dispute or need to change or enforce an existing order, we are here to talk through your options and help you plan your next step.

To speak with our experienced child visitation lawyers, call us at (832) 688-6606 or contact us online today.