Law Office of Rebecca Gonzalez, P.C.

Schedule Your Consultation: 210-368-2608

Law Office of Rebecca Gonzalez, P.C.
210-368-2608

A Tradition Of Service.
A History Of Success.

Rebecca Gonzalez

A Child Custody Lawyer Who Cares About Your Kids

When parents separate, children need stability more than ever. Every decision made during custody proceedings affects not just your child’s daily routine but also their long-term emotional health, physical safety and future development. As a parent, you want your child to grow up in an environment where they receive proper medical care, quality education, consistent emotional support and protection from harm.

While most parents agree that their child’s needs come first, they often have dramatically different ideas about what serves their child’s best interests. This is why you need an experienced attorney who truly understands what’s at stake.

Don’t wait until tensions escalate to seek legal help. Contact me today at 210-368-2608 to discuss your child custody concerns. I’ll help you create a plan that protects your child’s future while preserving your parental relationship. Your child deserves nothing less than a custody arrangement that truly supports their growth and happiness.

Understanding The Basics Of Texas Child Custody

Texas law recognizes two fundamental types of custody: conservatorship (legal custody) and possession and access (physical custody).

Conservatorship determines who makes important decisions about your child’s life, including:

  • Medical and dental care
  • Education
  • Religious upbringing
  • Extracurricular activities

Possession and access, on the other hand, establish where your child lives and when they spend time with each parent.

Texas offers several custody arrangements:

  • Joint managing conservatorship: Both parents share decision-making rights and responsibilities. This is the most common arrangement in Texas.
  • Sole managing conservatorship: One parent has the exclusive right to make major decisions. Courts order this only when joint conservatorship would significantly impair the child’s physical health or emotional development.
  • Standard Possession Order (SPO): This common visitation schedule gives the noncustodial parent time with the child on the first, third and fifth weekends of each month; Thursday evenings during the school year; alternating holidays; and extended time during summer vacation.
  • Expanded standard possession order: Provides additional overnight time for the noncustodial parent.
  • 50/50 custody: Equal parenting time through alternating weeks, 2-2-3 schedules, or other arrangements.
  • Supervised parenting time: Court-ordered supervision when there are concerns about a parent’s ability to care for the child safely.

At the Law Office of Rebecca Gonzalez, P.C., in San Antonio, I have extensive experience with all these arrangements. I’ll help you understand which option best serves your child’s unique needs.

Child Custody For Unmarried Parents – Suit Affecting The Parent-Child Relationship

Unwed parents faced with child custody issues must address many unique challenges. For instance, there may be a need for a paternity test and related documentation to legally establish the father of the child. In Texas, parents can address these and other issues by filing what is known as a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR).

By establishing paternity, mothers can secure child support and even recover retroactive payments for up to four years. Fathers gain legal rights to visitation and input in major decisions affecting their child. As your lawyer, I can assist with all aspects of your SAPCR.

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Custody

Parents naturally have many questions when facing custody issues. Below are answers to some common concerns I hear from my clients. Remember that every family situation is unique, and I’m here to provide personalized guidance for your specific circumstances.

Where do I file for child custody?

From the very start, pursuing a child custody case in the San Antonio area involves navigating complex procedures. Moreover, finding accurate information online can be difficult.

You file for child custody at the district clerk’s office in the county where your child resides. You can also file online. For example, if your child lives in Bexar County, you’ll file at the district clerk’s office at the courthouse at 100 Dolorosa in San Antonio.

The first step is completing the correct form – either the divorce petition if the custody case is part of a divorce or a petition in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship. I can help you complete your paperwork and ensure everything is filed correctly at the proper location.

What is really in the child’s best interest?

In Texas courts, judges base their decisions on what serves the child’s best interest, not the desires of either parent. This standard considers several factors:

  • The child’s age and health needs
  • Each parent’s ability to provide a stable home
  • The financial situation of both parents
  • The child’s current routine and community ties
  • Each parent’s involvement in the child’s life

In most situations, the ideal outcome preserves the child’s relationship with each parent. This typically means the child continues spending time with both parents in a structured arrangement.

I will educate you about various custody and visitation options. Parenting plans come in many forms, and I’ll help you understand the terminology and implications of each. Together, we’ll determine the arrangements that make the most sense for your family, and I’ll work diligently to secure them.

Can child custody be changed?

Even though the objective of a custody case is to establish a reliable, permanent plan, Texas law recognizes that circumstances change. When necessary, you can modify custody arrangements accordingly.

By filing a modification suit, you can seek changes to custody orders. If the other parent agrees with the changes, it’s considered an uncontested modification. If they oppose the changes, the process becomes more involved.

I can guide you through modifying custody orders, whether due to a change in your work schedule or concerns about your child’s safety with the other parent.

Why do fathers or mothers lose custody of their children?

Losing custody is something every parent fears. However, it’s actually quite rare and typically reserved for extreme circumstances involving:

  • Abuse or neglect
  • Severe substance abuse problems
  • Criminal activity resulting in imprisonment
  • Untreated mental illness that endangers the child

Texas courts prefer both parents to remain involved in a child’s life whenever possible. While complete termination of parental rights is uncommon, there are scenarios where a parent may be limited to supervised visitation.

Whether you’re worried about losing custody or concerned about your child’s safety with their other parent, I encourage you to discuss your situation with me

Learn More About Your Child Custody Options In Texas

I’m available to answer your questions about child custody and visitation. Contact me today at 210-368-2608 or, if you prefer, through my online form. Let me help you create a custody arrangement that truly serves your child’s best interests while protecting your parental rights.