Handling Child Custody Disputes in Texas

Handling Child Custody Disputes in Texas
By David B. Smith

When getting ready for a custody dispute in Texas, mum and dad need to be thinking fundamentally about what is in the best interests of the progeny, for this is what the judge will be focusing on. Mum and dad do have rights under Texas law, but it is the needs and rights of the children that are of principal importance in custody suits, and these will be the main factors upon which the family court will attempt to base the decision.

As stated in section 153.002 of the Texas Family Code, normally, parents are considered to be equal in their entitlement to parent their little ones, so the rights of parents is not likely to be taken into account. It is the best interests of the little ones that are important, and the aim of the Texas Family Code (as seen in Section 153.00) is to:

(1) Ensure that children will have recurrent and continuing contact with parents who have shown the ability to act in the best interest of the progeny;

(2) Grant a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for the child; and

(3) Encourage parents to share in the rights and responsibilities of raising their child after the parents have put their relationship on hold or dissolved their marriage.

If you are a mom or dad who is organizing yourself for (or even thinking about) a custody battle, you would do well to bear this in mind at all times. You will not be able to establish a solid case for custody of your child unless you can illustrate how you having custody will be in their best interests.

Giving primary consideration to your little ones will also play a defining role in many other major areas of your life, at least until custody has been resolved.

These areas include:

(1) Where you set up house. While it might be tempting to move as far away from your ex as possible, this is hardly ever going to be in the best interests of the children.

(2) How you deal with your own anxiety. While you might feel that you want the presence of your progeny to help you get through the ordeal of the marital breakdown, be aware of the fact that your children are simply not able to deal with the range of emotions experienced by a mature adult, and that dumping your personal struggles on them is not simply unhelpful, but can be a form of abuse!

(3) Considering how you refer your Ex. In a similar vein, both parents preparing for custody cases before the court of Texas must be mindful of the extraordinary injury that they can do through speaking ill of their former partner in front of the children.

Such behaviour not only does harm to child and parents alike, but it may also be factored in by the court, where a noticeable breakdown in self-control may be taken as an indicator of an inability to parent!

For more information on Handling Child Custody Disputes in Dallas:

http://www.texaschild-custody.com/texas-child-custody-law---an-introduction.php

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_B._Smith
http://EzineArticles.com/?Handling-Child-Custody-Disputes-in-Texas&id=858393