Child custody issues can be some of the hardest things a parent has to deal with. It’s important to be careful with each step because your choices will have a big effect on your child’s future. In Harris County, getting the right legal help can make all the difference in figuring out the complicated court system.
At Goldsberry Portz Divorce & Family Lawyers, PLLC, your family’s needs will always come first. We are here to help you through this tough time by providing the legal help and advice you need.
Sometimes it is best to have the conversation in court, even though most custody disputes are solved without going to court. If parents cannot agree with the help of mediators, they may need to go to court.
Trials are needed if the child is being abused or neglected or if there are a lot of legal and financial problems that the judge needs to figure out.
Custody of children in Harris County can vary from case to case. There are several types of custody and knowing them helps make decisions about the future of one’s child.
With this arrangement, both parents can share the rights and responsibilities of raising their child. That doesn't mean both parents will spend equal time with the child, but they will have a vote in education, health care, and religion.
In some cases, the right to make most of the decisions for the child is awarded to one of the parents. This can be taken into consideration if the other parent may pose a threat to the child through things like substance abuse or family violence.
This normally grants conservatorship to the non-custodial parent, who can visit the child on a scheduled basis. However, the non-custodial parent may have less say over major child life decisions.
The courts make decisions regarding child custody in Harris County based on what will serve the child’s best interests. Several factors influence such decisions to ensure that the child will be well cared for.
The court considers both parents' capability of meeting the child's daily needs.
Active participation in the child’s life, including schooling and healthcare, is crucial.
A stable, safe home environment is relevant in custody decisions.
The child's wishes can be considered if he is mature enough.
Any history of abuse or neglect is carefully examined.
Courts appreciate a parent who convinces the court that they encourage their child to be on good terms with the other parent.
Child custody is one of the most challenging cases, and having an educated advocate on your side can make all the difference. Whether in negotiations to agree or preparing for court, a Harris County child custody lawyer can provide the support you need to see you through. They will explain your rights and take you through the legal process with their expertise.
Get input about how to best handle your situation.
We will represent your case in the best possible manner before the judge.
Amicable resolution of issues will be achieved in the child's interest.
Manage the paperwork well to avoid delays.
Sometimes, circumstances change, and the arrangements made previously regarding custody no longer work. In such cases, modification is often sought to fit the current circumstances better.
Whether this is a job relocation or changes to the child's needs, either can be seen as a substantial change when custody modification is considered.
Drawing up the paperwork through the services of an attorney and filing.
Be prepared to show why the change is in the child's best interest.
Sometimes, you are obliged to solve this through mediation, and at other times, you are taken to court.
It can be very stressful when one parent does not follow through with a custody order. Fortunately, there are ways in the law to enforce such orders and protect your rights.
Keep a log of violations, including date, time, and communication.
You ought to file your documentation with the court and then make a formal request to enforce the custody order.
Once this is filed, the court will take cognizance of the evidence presented to it and rule on any action that needs to be taken to remedy such non-compliance. It may take any one of several steps, including:
Possible court actions:
The timeline for a Harris County child custody case can vary as widely as the number of issues that may be involved. Applications that are not too hard to handle can be settled in a few months. However, applications with many children or arguments over schedules can take years to settle.
Preparing for a child custody trial can sometimes be very overwhelming. The task may be easier if done one step at a time. Here is a basic step-by-step guide to help get you started:
First and foremost, see an attorney to understand your rights and options.
Your lawyer must file a petition through the court to begin the custody process, including all the necessary paperwork.
The process server will serve the other parent with formal notice of the custody proceeding.
More often than not, the court will make mediation compulsory before going to trial.
If mediation does not resolve the dispute, the case moves to a court of law, where a judge decides.
When one parent cannot provide the child with a safe and stable home, Harris County courts usually give the other parent sole custody. Courts also generally want both parents to spend as much time with the child as possible. Only in very serious cases, like drug abuse, neglect, or addiction, can the law give custody to only one parent.
What if one parent has taken care of the child the most or if the other parent is dangerous? The court may decide that the kid is safer with the other parent having less possession and access.
Mistakes made in child custody litigation can have a lasting impact on the actual outcome of your case. Common mistakes to avoid include, but are not limited to, those discussed below.
Anything you do that is against the court's instructions, even for a moment, can hurt your case and lower your view of you as unreliable, resulting in less-than-favorable decisions.
Communication with the other parent that is open and polite is important for cooperation. The court will not like co-parenting if you are not cooperative or hostile.
When court cases are discussed or a child is involved in a fight, it can be very upsetting for them. This will probably make the court make a bad choice.
Keep detailed records of your contacts, especially if the other parent does not adhere to the custody order arrangement. This can be important when trying to present your case to the judge.
Finding the right lawyer for your child custody case is critical. Here are some factors to consider:
Go to a family attorney with vast experience, more so in the field of child custody, to help wade through the complicated legal issues that could be unique to child custody matters.
A lawyer familiar with the procedures and judges in the Harris County court system will make sense of local procedures and judges for your strategic advantage by guiding you through the ins and outs of how things generally operate.
Also, your lawyer must be approachable and communicative so you are informed of everything at every stage of the case. This transparency ensures building trust and having your concerns addressed quickly.
You should look for a lawyer with proven positive feedback from past clients regarding his or her services. It refers to their success in litigating child custody.
Look for a lawyer with a strong track record of positive client reviews and testimonials, reflecting their ability to achieve favorable outcomes in child custody cases.
Your lawyer should offer advice and strategies tailored to your unique situation rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. A customized strategy can better address the specifics of your case and increase your chances of success.
At Goldsberry Portz, we pride ourselves on offering the best possible legal representation for families within Harris County. Our excellence in family law is unrivaled around Houston, and our record speaks for itself. Expertise.com has recognized us as their Best Divorce Lawyers in League City, and our professional excellence has won us the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating.
We deliver a service commitment to our clients: from over 10.0 on Avvo to an endorsement by the Better Business Bureau, our A+ team, led by board-certified family law attorney Shari Goldsberry, simply does not miss.
In addition, being recognized as a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters reinforces our dedication to providing our clientele with the highest-level service. At Goldsberry Portz, we feel our clients’ trust is the best reward, and it motivates us to achieve very good results in every matter.
Taking the first step toward resolving your family law issue is easy. Here is how:
Contact the office to schedule your first appointment with one of our attorneys.
Talk about your case and your aims concerning the case with the attorney during the consultation.
Your lawyer will work with you to develop a custom legal strategy that fits your needs.
As soon as you agree on a plan, your attorney will take the necessary legal action.
Child custody matters are deeply personal and can significantly impact your family’s future. If you’re seeking compassionate and experienced legal support, Goldsberry Portz Divorce & Family Lawyers, PLLC are here to help.
We understand the complexities of family law and are committed to standing by your side throughout the process. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward securing the best outcome for you and your child.
You can reach us at 281-485-3500 or visit our conveniently located office at 1503 Driscoll Street, Houston, TX 77019, United States. If you are visiting us, here are some simple driving directions from key landmarks around the area:
From Galveston Island: Take I-45 North and exit 47A to merge onto Allen Parkway. Take Allen Parkway to Dunlavy Street and turn left. Turn right onto West Gray Street and take a left onto Driscoll Street. Our office is the white two-story building on the left after the stop sign.
From Houston: Head south on I-45, then exit 47A to merge onto Allen Parkway. Take Allen Parkway to Dunlavy Street and turn left. Turn right onto West Gray Street and take a left onto Driscoll Street. Our office is the white two-story building on the left after the stop sign.
From Galleria: Take West Loop South to I-69/US-59 North and merge onto I-69/US-59 North. Take exit 126B toward Greenbriar Drive/Shepherd Drive. Turn left onto South Shepherd Drive to Peden Street. Turn right onto Peden Street and right onto Driscoll Street. Our office is the white two-story building on the left.
We also have offices in Pearland and Texas City to serve you, making it easy for you to reach out for support. Feel free to call, email, or schedule a consultation today. Let us help you navigate this process to secure your family’s best possible future. Call us at 281-485-3500 to schedule a consultation or visit our office to get started on the path to a brighter future.
Our firm knows how important and precious this time is with your children and will do everything we can to protect it. As experienced family law attorneys, we are aware of the important roles each parent plays in a child’s life.
To learn more about how we can help, call our office in Texas City at 281-485-3500 today. You can also send us an email. We serve clients in Brazoria, Galveston and Fort Bend counties and throughout the Houston area.
Yes, under certain conditions, grandparents in Harris County can seek custody or visitation rights, especially if it is determined that such an arrangement is in the child's best interest. This usually happens when the child's parents are unfit or when the child has lived with the grandparents for a significant period.
Suppose a custodial parent wants to relocate with the child. In that case, they typically need to seek the court's permission, especially if the move significantly impacts the non-custodial parent's ability to maintain a relationship with the child. Before deciding, the court will consider the reasons for the move and how it will affect the child's well-being.
In Texas, if a child is 12 years or older, they can express their preference to the court regarding which parent they prefer to live with. While the judge will consider the child's wishes, the final decision will still be based on the child's best interest.
If one parent wants to modify the custody arrangement after the court has issued a custody order, they must file a petition for modification with the court. The parent seeking the change must show that a significant change in circumstances justifies the modification and would benefit the child.
The process for hiring Goldsberry, Portz & Lutterbie, PLLC begins with an in-depth consultation to discuss your specific legal needs and circumstances. During this consultation, our experienced attorneys will listen to your concerns, gather relevant information about your case, and provide you with tailored advice on how we can assist you.
Following the consultation and once you’ve decided to move forward with our firm, the next step is signing the contract. The contract will outline the terms of our representation, including the scope of services, legal fees, and any other relevant agreements. Our team will ensure that you fully understand the terms of the contract before signing and will be available to address any questions or concerns you may have.
Once the contract is signed, the final step in the hiring process is remitting payment of the retainer fee. The retainer fee is an upfront payment that secures our legal services and allows us to begin working on your case. This fee is typically based on the complexity of your case and the anticipated work involved.
Once these steps are completed, our team will officially begin representing you and advocating for your interests. Throughout the process, we are committed to providing you with personalized attention, effective communication, and zealous representation to help you achieve the best possible outcome in your family law matter.
During your initial consultation appointment with our family law firm, you can expect a comprehensive and personalized approach to understanding your situation and legal needs. We’ll start by discussing the details of your case, including your specific circumstances regarding divorce, child custody, child support, enforcement issues, or adoption.
We’ll provide you with an overview of the legal process relevant to your case, outlining the steps involved, potential challenges, and options available to you. This will give you a clear understanding of what to expect as we navigate through your legal matter together.
Additionally, we’ll discuss the anticipated timeline for your case, including key milestones and potential factors that could affect the duration of the process. Understanding the timeline can help manage expectations and provide you with a sense of control throughout the proceedings.
During the consultation, we encourage you to ask any questions you may have about your case or the legal process. We’re here to address your concerns and provide guidance every step of the way.
Overall, our goal during the initial consultation is to provide you with a thorough understanding of your legal options, the process ahead, and how we can assist you in achieving your desired outcome.
At Goldsberry Law, we prioritize timely and personalized attention to each client’s case. We understand that time is of the essence when dealing with legal matters. Typically, we aim to schedule in-depth consultations within one to two weeks of your initial contact with our law firm.
However, if your case requires urgent attention due to imminent hearings or time-sensitive issues, our attorneys will make every effort to accommodate your needs. We recognize the importance of addressing urgent matters promptly, and we will do our best to schedule an appointment before any upcoming hearings or deadlines.
In the rare instance that we are unable to schedule a consultation within your desired timeframe, we will refer you to a trusted attorney who may be able to see you sooner. Our priority is to ensure that you receive the legal assistance you need as quickly as possible, while also providing the highest level of service tailored to your specific case.
To schedule an appointment for an in-depth consultation with one of our attorneys at Goldsberry Law, you have a couple of convenient options. You can contact our law firm directly at 281-485-3500 and speak with one of our Client Relations Specialists. They will assist you in finding a suitable time for your consultation.
Alternatively, you can schedule a conference call with our Client Relations Manager by visiting our online scheduling page at https://goldsberrylaw.as.me/schedule.php. This allows you to select a time that works best for you without having to make a phone call.
Whichever method you choose, we are dedicated to making the appointment scheduling process as easy and efficient as possible, ensuring that you receive the legal assistance you need in a timely manner.
At Goldsberry Law, we prioritize transparency regarding our rates. Our in-depth consultation fee is $75.00 for telephone or Zoom appointments and $250.00 for in-person consultations.
For ongoing legal representation, we provide tailored financial arrangements based on various factors such as the attorney chosen and the complexity of your legal matters.
Similarly, our attorneys’ rates vary, reflecting their respective experience and qualifications.
We understand the significance of financial considerations, and during your consultation, we’ll discuss payment options and work together to develop a suitable strategy.
Additionally, we offer convenient payment methods including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and eChecks, ensuring accessibility and ease of payment for our clients. If you have any questions or require assistance with payment arrangements, please reach out to us. We’re dedicated to ensuring a seamless and efficient experience with our firm.
At Goldsberry Law, we understand the importance of having a strong attorney-client relationship. During your initial call with one of our Client Relations Specialists, you will have the opportunity to discuss your preferences regarding legal representation. If you have a specific attorney in mind or if there are certain qualities you’re looking for in an attorney, we will do our best to accommodate your preferences.
If you do not have a particular attorney in mind, our Client Relations Specialists will gather information about the overall issues presented in your circumstances. Based on this information and your preferences, they will provide a recommendation for an attorney who is best suited to handle your case.
We believe in the importance of matching clients with attorneys who have the relevant skills and experience to effectively address their legal needs. Rest assured that whether you choose your own attorney or rely on our recommendation, we are committed to providing you with high-quality legal representation tailored to your specific case.
