Tomball Custodial Parent Attorney

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    Guardianship Lawyers

    Sometimes, parents will divorce, and in that separation, they have a child that still needs care. The court assigns one to be the custodial parent, and the other is the noncustodial parent. In essence, the custodial parent is the one with whom the children primarily live and is the one who has the right to make legal decisions on their behalf.

    Being a custodial parent is an essential duty to your children, as you’re responsible for making the decisions that would affect their lives and surroundings. One of the rights you have as a custodial parent is deciding where to live.

    The court assigns the role of the custodial parent in the interest of what’s best for the children, as the responsibility of making the decisions that affect their lives and surroundings falls to them. It’s a position that both parties often fight for as they believe that they know what’s best for their children.

    If you are fighting to gain or retain the rights to your children who need you, guardianship lawyers in Tomball, Texas, can assist you.

    Factors that Determine the Custodial Parent

    To determine the custodial parent, most courts will consider a variety of factors. These can include the stability of residence, their parenting abilities, and other situations. The primary caregiver – which does not need to be the mother – will usually be the custodial parent.

    However, the state of Texas believes that in most cases it is in the best interest of the children for both parents to be involved in their lives and in the decision making process. The custodial parent is usually expected to keep the noncustodial parent informed of things involving the children. That can include their education, medical issues, or any other legal questions. Parents are expected to cooperate for the best interest of their children, even after a divorce.
    The custodial parent has many responsibilities to their children. They are expected to make daily decisions regarding the children and to do so with the children’s best interest in mind. They also have the responsibility to maintain the visitation schedule with the other parent and monitor child support payments. The custodial parent should also consult the other parent on significant decisions, even though the custodial parent has the right to the ultimate decision, the other parent is still a parent and has a right to decisions about their child. They can also decide where the child will live and should collaborate with the other parent on major expenses.

    A Houston custodial parent lawyer can help determine the exact rights of both parents.

    Child Support and Custody

    Courts consider a lot when determining which parent becomes the primary caregiver for their children. Things such as parenting abilities, residence stability, and other circumstances are included during mediation or in the hearing.

    However, despite that, the city of Tomball, Texas,  believes that both parents should at least be involved in their children’s lives. In many cases, it’s in the child’s best interest to have connections to both parents so that they grow up to be healthy and well-adjusted.

    What is Expected from the Parents of the Children

    The custodial parent is expected to keep the noncustodial parent informed of their children’s development, regardless of the status of the parent’s relationship. A child’s development includes their education, medical issues, and other questions that may arise. The court expects cooperation between the two former partners even after their divorce. The court seeks to make sure that the children are unaffected by the situation between their parents.

    Both parents are required to make daily decisions that have the best interests of their children in mind. Other than that, it’s necessary that the noncustodial parent maintains the visitation schedule with the other parent and monitors child support payments. It’s also expected for the noncustodial parent to pay child support to the custodial parent.

    It’s important to note that visitations cannot be revoked in Tomball, Texas, if the custodial parent fails to receive the money for child support. Visitation and child support are two unrelated things. However, inability or refusal to pay child support can be regarded as contempt of court. Lastly, child custody issues are nothing new in divorce proceedings. It’s a situation that’s almost expected, and it’s what many Tomball, Texas  lawyers handle in stride.