Houston Mother’s Rights Lawyer
Going through a divorce can be stressful and heartbreaking. One of the chief concerns for divorcing parents is child custody and visitation. While mothers in Texas are automatically granted the rights of a legal parent, they may still face legal issues regarding custody and child support. If you are going through a divorce or child custody dispute in Texas a knowledgeable attorney can help protect your rights as you navigate this process.
Stepp & Sullivan attorneys have a proven track record of successfully representing mothers in Texas. We understand how challenging family legal matters can be and take a personal and compassionate approach to each case. Our talented Houston mother’s rights attorneys have more than 40 years of combined experience helping mothers like you achieve favorable outcomes for their families.
What Are My Rights as a Mother in Texas?
As a mother, your custody rights may differ depending on whether or not you were married to your child’s father. Unmarried mothers are considered their child’s sole custodial parent unless the father establishes paternity. On the other hand, married mothers share parental rights with their husbands. In Texas, the husband is considered the child’s father unless another man establishes his own paternity. During a divorce custody dispute, mothers and fathers have equal rights. When settling such disputes, the judge will consider the following elements:
- Your child’s basic physical and emotional needs
- Your and your spouse’s parenting abilities
- Your child’s preferences
- The stability of your and your spouse’s homes
- Your child’s past and present relationship with you and your spouse
- The presence or history of child abuse or neglect
After filing for divorce, your lawyer can help you request temporary custody or child support. While only temporary, these requests are often critical in child custody disputes and may increase your chances of being awarded permanent custody.
Help for Survivors of Domestic Abuse in Houston, Texas
If you or your child has suffered domestic abuse at the hands of your husband, you may have additional rights regarding child custody. Under Texas law, a father cannot be granted joint custody if he has sexually or physically abused his spouse, child, former spouse, or child from a previous relationship. If you fear for your or your child’s safety, your attorney can help you obtain a protective order. If the judge grants a protective order, your spouse cannot legally contact, harass, or be within a certain distance of places you and your child frequent. If your spouse violates the protective order, they may be penalized further regarding their custody and visitation rights.
If the mother has been accused of domestic abuse, they may still be able to retain some custody and visitation rights. In order to determine if the mother is fit to retain custody rights, the judge will determine if the following criteria are met:
- The child will not be in danger during visitation
- Visitation with the mother is in the child’s best interests
- The visitations will be supervised if necessary
- There is a visitation order in place to protect the child
The presence of domestic violence can significantly complicate any custody dispute. If you have been accused of domestic violence or are a survivor of abuse, a skilled mother’s rights attorney can help you protect your rights and your child’s best interests.
Ways a Skilled Houston Mother’s Rights Attorney Can Help You
Since the stakes are so high during child custody disputes, having a skilled attorney in your corner is essential. Our attorneys can help take the stress of divorce and custody disputes off your shoulders as we advocate aggressively on your behalf. At Stepp & Sullivan, our attorneys can help you in the following ways:
- Advise you objectively
- Negotiate with all parties on your behalf
- File all paperwork correctly and on time
- Identify any and all assets
- Mediating divorcing couples
- Represent you in court
- Help make changes to existing custody agreements
- Advocate for your rights and interests
Retaining the services of one of our qualified attorneys can help you navigate the legal process as you focus on your family’s needs. When you partner with us, you can rest assured that we will fight tirelessly for your rights and interests.
Speak to a Knowledgeable Houston Mother’s Rights Lawyer at Stepp & Sullivan
The dedicated Houston mother’s rights lawyers at Stepp & Sullivan have over four decades of combined experience helping mothers in Texas. Our attorneys are committed to protecting their client’s rights and the best interests of their children. We aim to make the legal process as stress-free and straightforward as possible so you can focus on your family’s needs during this challenging transition. To schedule a consultation with a member of our talented legal team, call us at (713) 336-7200 or complete our contact form today.
