What is Child Custody Litigation?

Nothing in the world is more important than your child. Simply put, “Child Custody Litigation” is a legal action regarding the Parent-Child relationship with your child. When there is child custody litigation, you need help to protect your interests and relationship with your child.

At Anderson Legal Group, we are specialists in litigating child custody issues. We often litigate child custody issues in a variety of cases, including: Divorce, Paternity, Modifications, Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship, CPS (Child Protective Services), Enforcements and Collaborative Law (or Private Divorces). We will begin with a free consultation so that your goals can be established as to each of the following custody issues.

Five Major Issues in Child Custody Litigation

The focus of each child custody issue will vary slightly depending on which type of case you are involved in, but it is important to have a general understanding of the five major issues in child custody litigation:

Parental Rights and Conservatorship

All Texas parents have some rights and duties at all times. (Examples of these would include: the right to attend school activities and the right to consult with teachers and medical providers). There are other rights and duties that all parents have during their possession period with their child. (For example, the duty to provide food, shelter, and clothing for the children). Since these rights are given to all parents they are not typically the subject of child custody litigation unless a parent-child relationship is going to be terminated.

Instead, there are some specialized rights that the Court usually allocates between the parents and these are the most contested rights. (For example the right to determine the primary residence of the child, the right to make educational decisions for the child, and the right to make invasive, non-emergency medical decisions for the child). These specialized rights can be allocated between the parents in four ways: 1) by each parent independently, 2) by each parent independently after consulting with the other parent, 3) by the joint agreement of the parents, and 4) by one parent exclusively.

The Texas Family Code addresses issues of managing the child’s life by appointing “conservators” and not by awarding “custody”. Conservatorship simply means whom will be able to make these specialized decisions of the child. Generally, the Court awards either: Joint Managing Conservators (JMC) or Sole Managing Conservators (SMC).

A Joint Managing Conservatorship (JMC) occurs when the specialized rights are shared in some fashion. In Texas, child custody litigation, a JMC designation occurs about 90% of the time. One of the reasons JMC is so common is because the Texas Family Code mandates that parents should be appointed as Joint Managing Conservators (JMC) unless good cause is shown otherwise. After the designation of JMC, the Court may then assign exclusive rights to one or both of the conservators.

Alternatively, a Sole Managing Conservator (SMC) is when one parent is exclusively granted all of the specialized rights to manage the child’s life. A Court rarely assigns a SMC, instead of JMC. However, if a Court awards SMC it is likely there are facts regarding family violence, failing to make decisions in the best interest of the child, drug use and/or parental alienation directed against the other parent.

Sometimes custody cases include issues where the conservators cannot agree on the choice of school, or how to resolve the child’s developmental issues. We have the working relationships with therapists and other mental health professionals to help prepare such a case to accomplish your specific conservatorship goals. However, this is only able to be done by developing a good relationship and being able to listen to your goals. This is something that every attorney at Anderson Legal Group strives for so that we can accomplish your objectives.

Possession

In Texas, Courts use the word “possession” to define the parenting time of each conservator. In order to encourage frequent contact between a child and each parent, the legislature has adopted what is referred to as the Standard Possession Order (SPO). It is intended to act as a guideline or starting point for defining when each parent has the child exclusively. 

The Standard Possession Order (SPO) is presumed to be in the best interest of children age three and older. When a child is less than three years of age, the Court must usually render a customized stair-stepped possession order that is in the child’s best interest. The Texas Family Code contains a non-exclusive list of factors the Court must consider when rendering a customized stair-stepped possession order for a child under three.

Generally, the Court may deviate from the SPO if it is in the child’s best interest, to protect the child, or if the SPO is unworkable. For example, if a parent uses illegal drugs, the Court may order that visitations be supervised until the parent is no longer using drugs. The Court may only limit a parent’s possession to a child to the extent necessary to protect the child.

Sometimes parents have occupations that do not follow a typical nine-to-five, Monday through Friday work schedule. This is often common for doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, and airline pilots. Because of this State’s policy to encourage frequent contact between each parent and the child, the Court may deviate from the SPO and tailor a customized possession schedule for these unique circumstances.

Parents may also agree to any deviation of the possession and access schedule set forth in the Texas Family Code so long as it is in the child’s best interest. In fact, parents are encouraged to work together and reach agreements. For example, if one parent’s family always celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve and the other parent’s family always celebrates Christmas on Christmas Day, a possession schedule can be structured that accommodates these family traditions so that the child can always participate in important events. Other examples of deviations could include religious holidays, important family days, etc.

Regardless of your goals and facts, our attorneys will work diligently to obtain the relief that you desire. During the process, we will answer your questions and explain the fundamental differences in each type of possession. Our collective work and legal expertise will in turn empower you to be an informed and supportive parent during this process.

Standard Possession as Currently Defined by Texas Law: If you already have a parenting time Order, this resource is not intended to interpret your rights and responsibilities under your existing Order. This is an information-only resource that describes the possession schedule under the current language of the Standard Possession Order.

A parenting time schedule provides parents with the guide they need to navigate co-parenting. It addresses exchange times, weekday and weekend visits, holidays, your child’s birthday, spring and summer break, and many other important events in your child’s life. The Standard Possession Order options available to parents can change based on how far you live from one another. These Standard Possession Order options are provided to the noncustodial parent to choose from at the time the order is being completed unless the Court finds a selection is not in the best interest of the child. If the noncustodial parent does not make a selection, also known as an “election”, then the “default” schedule terms may be placed in your order.

The following information summarizes the “default” and “election” schedules for a Standard Possession Order that may be available to you or the other parent at the time the order is being completed. The term “school” refers to the elementary or secondary school in which the child is enrolled. If the child is not enrolled in an elementary or secondary school, “school” refers to the public school district in which the child primarily resides. (TFC § 153.3101)

50 Miles Apart or Less
When parents live 50 miles apart or less, the noncustodial parent is provided with options when completing a Standard Possession Order as outlined below. The noncustodial parent has the opportunity to choose between the “default” or “election” option when the terms of the Order are being settled.

A. Weekends – 1st, 3rd and 5th of Fridays each month

Default:
Pickup at the time school is dismissed for the weekend and drop-off at the time school resumes after the weekend during the school term. When school is not in session, pickup on Friday at 6 p.m. and drop-off Sunday at 6 p.m.

Election:
Pickup on Friday at 6 p.m. and drop-off Sunday at 6 p.m.

B.Thursdays each week during the school term

Default:
Pickup at the time school is dismissed on Thursday and drop-off at the time school resumes on Friday.

Election:
Pickup at 6 p.m. on Thursday and drop-off at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

C. Summer Vacation
The noncustodial parent can have 30 days of extended parenting time as follows:

Default:
Pickup at 6 p.m. on July 1 and drop-off at 6 p.m. on July 31.

Election:
The noncustodial parent can pick when this 30-day extended summer parenting time will occur but must send notice to the custodial parent by April 1st. The time period may begin no earlier than the day after the child’s school is dismissed for the summer vacation and ending no later than seven days before school resumes at the end of the summer vacation. The extended summer parenting time must be exercised in no more than two separate periods of at least seven consecutive days each, as specified in the written notice.

The extended summer parenting time must not interfere with Father’s Day parenting time. These periods of possession shall begin and end at 6 p.m. on each applicable day.

Under either of the above options, the custodial parent may pick one weekend for parenting time during these 30 days but must send written notice to the noncustodial parent by April 15th with the dates. Pickup is at 6 p.m. on Friday and drop-off is at 6 p.m. on Sunday. The custodial parent is responsible for picking the child up from the noncustodial parent and returning the child. The weekend cannot interfere with Father’s Day parenting time if the noncustodial parent is the father.

D. Other Times and Holidays
In addition to the above-listed periods of time, the noncustodial parent would have the total alternating Spring Break and Thanksgiving holidays, and at least portion of the Christmas break each year. The noncustodial parent would has have each and every Mother’s/Father’s Day and some time during the child’s birthday. The custodial parent would have the child at all other times not specified.

51 to 100 Miles Apart
When parents live 51 miles apart, but not more than 100 miles, the noncustodial parent is provided with options when completing a Standard Possession Order as outlined below. The noncustodial parent has the opportunity to choose between the “default” or “election” option when the terms of the Order are being settled.

A. Weekends – 1st, 3rd, and 5th of Fridays each month

Default:
Pickup on Friday at 6 p.m. and drop-off Sunday at 6 p.m.

Election:
Pickup at the time school is dismissed for the weekend and drop-off at the time school resumes after the weekend during the school term. When school is not in session, pickup on Friday at 6 p.m. and drop-off Sunday at 6 p.m.

B. Thursdays each week during the school term

Default:
Pickup at 6 p.m. on Thursday and drop-off at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Election:
Pickup at the time school is dismissed on Thursday and drop-off at the time school resumes on Friday.

C. Summer Vacation
The noncustodial parent can have 30 days of extended parenting time as described in the “50 Miles or Apart or Less” section immediately above.

D. Other Times and Holidays
In addition to the above-listed periods of time, the noncustodial parent would have the total alternating Spring Break and Thanksgiving holidays, and at least portion of the Christmas break each year. The noncustodial parent would have each and every Mother’s/Father’s Day and some time during the child’s birthday. The custodial parent would have the child at all other times not specified.

Over 100 Miles Apart
When the parents live over 100 miles apart, the noncustodial parent is provided with options when completing a Standard Possession Order as outlined below. The noncustodial parent has the opportunity to choose between the “default” or “election” option when the terms of your Order are being settled.

A. Weekends
Noncustodial parents must choose between either the 1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays of each month or one weekend a month of the noncustodial parent’s choice.

Default:
Pickup on Friday at 6 p.m. and drop-off Sunday at 6 p.m.

Election:
Pickup at the time school is dismissed for the weekend and drop-off at the time school resumes after the weekend during the school term. When school is not in session, pickup on Friday at 6 p.m. and drop-off Sunday at 6 p.m.

B. Thursdays each week during the school term
The Noncustodial parent that resides more than 100 miles away does not have any standard midweek possession during the school term.

C. Summer Vacation
The noncustodial parent has 42 days of extended parenting time during the summer vacation.

Default:
Pickup at 6 p.m. on June 15 and drop-off at 6 p.m. on July 27.

Election:
The noncustodial parent can pick when this 42-day extended summer parenting time period will occur but must send written notice to the custodial parent by April 1st. The time period may begin no earlier than the day after the child’s school is dismissed for the summer vacation and ending no later than seven days before school resumes at the end of the summer vacation. The extended summer parenting time must be exercised in no more than two separate periods of at least seven consecutive days each, as specified in the written notice. The extended summer parenting time must not interfere with Father’s Day parenting time. These periods of parenting time shall begin and end at 6 p.m. on each applicable day.

Under either of the above options, the custodial parent may pick one weekend for parenting time during this extended summer vacation parenting time period but must send written notice to the noncustodial parent by April 15th with the specific dates. If the summer vacation period of possession by the noncustodial parent is more than 30 days, then the custodial parent may have possession of the child on any 2 nonconsecutive weekends during that period. Pickup at 6 p.m. on Friday and drop-off at 6 p.m. on Sunday. The custodial parent is responsible for picking the child up from the noncustodial parent and returning the child for these selected parenting time period(s). The weekend or weekends cannot interfere with Father’s Day parenting time.

D. Other Times and Holidays
In addition to the above-listed periods of time, the noncustodial parent would have the total alternating Spring Break and Thanksgiving holidays, and at least portion of the Christmas break each year. The noncustodial parent would has have each and every Mother’s/Father’s Day and some time during the child’s birthday. The custodial parent would have the child at all other times not specified. 

Child Support

Parents owe a legal obligation to financially support their children, and for parents who are divorcing, one means of accomplishing that obligation is through child support. Texas provides a guideline calculation intended as a presumed, minimum support amount that is related to the SPO. Generally, the guideline amount is insufficient to cover expenses of child care, extracurricular activities, educational assistance, and all of the costs that come with raising a child.

Support is typically paid monthly or when the obligor is paid by their employer. To be enforceable, the amount needs to state a specific sum, not just a percentage to be applied to what the obligor is paid. During our initial consultation, we shall calculate the child support payments. Therefore, in the future please be prepared to provide our office with the following documents:

• Any prior divorce decree of either party;
• Any current orders for support;
• Any signed acknowledgment of paternity;
• Birth certificates of the children (if paternity is disputed);
• Documents that reflect the income of either parent;
  
  
  • Paycheck stubs
  • Tax returns
  • W-2’s
  • Bank statements
• Records of child support payment history; and
• Documents that evidence justification for a variance from guideline support.

During our initial consultation about the child custody litigation, we will discuss all aspects of child support. The following terms may also be discussed if appropriate:

• “Temporary support” is the child support paid during the period between filing the divorce and the final decree being entered.
• “Retroactive support” is child support that a parent was not ordered to pay at the time, but has been applied for a period of time prior to the order that is now legally due.
• “Arrearage” is child support that was ordered to be paid by the Court but was not paid.
• “Enforcement” is a lawsuit to request that the Court order a judgment for unpaid support, a time frame for it to be paid, and potentially, punishment for the failure to pay.
• “Obligor” is the person ordered to pay child support.
• “Obligee” is the person receiving child support.

To get an approximation of a current child support amount, click here. 

Health Insurance

Medical support is an amount paid by parents for a child’s medical coverage. This can be in the form of paying for health insurance, reimbursing the other parent for health insurance, or enrollment in a government program. These expenses are paid in addition to child support.

If the parent ordered to provide health insurance (obligor) has health insurance coverage available through his/her employer at a cost that does not exceed 9% of their annual gross income (referred to as “reasonable cost”), the parent will be ordered to maintain the child on the policy. If the obligor cannot provide coverage through an employer at a reasonable cost, then the other parent (obligee) should provide coverage available through their employer. Then, the obligor would be responsible for reimbursing the obligee for the cost of the child’s health insurance premium. If neither parent has health insurance available through an employer, the Court can order the obligor to purchase a private policy.

In addition to the cost of premiums, the Court (or the parents by agreement), will set an amount (usually designated by a percentage), that each parent will pay for uninsured and uncovered medical expenses like co-pays, the deductible, and prescriptions. While this is typically set at 50/50, the Court can consider each parent’s ability to pay these additional costs.

During our initial consultation, we will discuss your child’s current health insurance. In the future, you may also be requested to supply the following:

• Existing health insurance policies;
• Existing premium and coverage amounts (Your employer will have a chart that sets out the cost for Employee, Employee and Spouse, Employee and Family, etc.);
• Available health insurance options (including premium and coverage amounts);
• Health savings account (HSA) information; and
• Any extraordinary medical needs of a child subject of the suit.

Residency Restriction

It is the public policy of Texas to encourage frequent contact between a child and each parent. However, this proves difficult (or sometimes impossible) if the parents live far from each other and this is happening with more frequency in Texas. Therefore, the Court generally will impose a residency restriction defining the child’s primary residence. Typically, the Court will order that the child’s primary residence must remain within the county of the Court that is issuing the Order. Sometimes, the order will also include contiguous counties (counties that touch the County where the child resides). Further, in future modification actions, the residency restriction can be an issue when one of the parents wants to move outside of the restricted area.

Common Misunderstandings of Child Custody Litigation

“Custody”

Often clients use the word “custody” to define what they are trying to accomplish. Texas law does not use the word custody. Thus, it is important to utilize the words that the Texas Court will use in making Orders about your child. As such, when you are in a Texas Court, try to use the words “Conservatorship” and/or “possession” to describe your objectives.

Child Interview

One of the tools that can be used in child custody litigation is to have the child speak with the Court regarding the child’s wishes. Many people ask when a child can choose with whom they live or how often they visit the other parent. However, it is not that simple.

The Texas Family Code provides that a child who is 12 years of age or older may express their desire regarding which parent he/she would like to have the exclusive right to determine the child’s primary residence in an in-chambers interview with the Court. If an interview is requested, the Court must interview the child. However, the child’s desire is not binding on the Court. The Court still must make a “best interest” determination regarding which parent should be awarded the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the child. Further, a parent can only request this interview if the pending case is a non-jury case. Finally, if a party has requested a jury trial, the interview will not be conducted.

If you have questions regarding these issues, please contact us so that we can assist you.