San Antonio Child Custody Modification Lawyers
The terms of child custody can be a difficult subject to agree upon. Ultimately, the agreement should serve the best interests of the child. Weeks, months, and even years after the initial custody arrangement is set, familial circumstances can change. As such, child custody agreements often need to be modified to reflect these changes. The guidance of a skilled family lawyer can make the process of modifying child custody much more manageable for San Antonio families.
The skilled team of lawyers at Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. have been working in the San Antonio community for decades. Each of our partners is board certified in family law, which is an achievement that few Texas firms attain. Our years in practice have given us firsthand experience with countless families going through tough transitions. We use our skill and knowledge to guide families through complicated legal situations efficiently.
Whether you are seeking more parental rights or you are attempting to scale back custody rights, we are ready to listen to you and help craft a plan that is best for your family. Custody modifications are not easy for San Antonio parents, but our skilled team is dedicated to making the process as straightforward and efficient as possible. To learn more about how we can help you, call us today at (210) 349-9933.
Do I Need a Child Custody Modification Lawyer?
Though technically you do not need to obtain legal representation to pursue modifications to your custody agreement, it is a good idea. An attorney can keep you aware of your rights and help facilitate the process in a timely manner. If you are seeking to change your agreement, it’s likely that you didn’t come to the decision lightly. A lawyer can help ensure that you are able to secure the best outcome for your family.
Additionally, a custody modification lawyer can provide support and advocate for you and your child if a judge or court hears your case. The hearing process, while common, can be stress-inducing for some people, and a lawyer has the understanding and experience to bolster your confidence throughout the process. Furthermore, a lawyer can ensure that you have convincing evidence to back up your claims, giving you the best chance of success, especially if you are attempting to modify custody against your ex-partner’s will.
Why Hire Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. to Handle My Case?
Our team at Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. has been committed to helping San Antonio families for years. We understand how difficult times of transition can be for both the parents and the children. By providing excellent, compassionate service, we seek to help families find the right solutions for their unique situations. Significant changes can be difficult, and we seek to provide knowledge and comfort in what is often a hard situation.
Our partners are board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. This sets us apart from many other firms, given that there are over 100,000 licensed lawyers in Texas and only 7,400 are board certified. Board certification guarantees that we are specialists and experts in our field of practice, family law.
While we are proud of our many distinctions and awards, we are most focused on putting our knowledge to work for families. If you are going through the complicated legal web of a custody dispute, we are ready to discuss options with you.
Child Custody Modification Cases We Handle
Once the initial custody agreement is enforced, there is a waiting period that prevents changes from being made to the agreement. Courts require this waiting period to prevent the child or children from being exposed to too much inconsistency. This waiting period, which varies by state, is one year under Texas state law.
The year begins from the time that a judge decides on your case (unless you and your partner did a mediated or collaborative settlement, in which you will defer to the date that both parties signed the agreement). In some circumstances, families may be able to get around this waiting period if the following conditions are met:
- The sole managing conservator has initiated the change or agrees to it
- The environment that the child lives in is a threat to their physical or mental health
- The sole managing conservator has not been the primary caregiver to the children for six months (this excludes people who are deployed in the armed forces)
Families who do not meet these requirements are usually required to wait a full year before they are permitted to modify their custody agreement. While everyone’s situation is unique, some of the most common reasons a parent may choose to modify custody include:
- Relocation — When one parent moves, it can complicate the visitation schedule and render it impractical.
- Term Issues — One parent consistently is not honoring the terms of visitation or other terms of the custody agreement.
- Danger — Your child is in danger at the other parent’s home. Numerous factors can make one of the parent’s homes unsuitable, including drug use, negligence, and abuse.
- Financial concerns — If one parent loses a job and their income drops off, the other parent may be better suited to provide for the child or children.
These are only some of the factors that may inspire parents to seek changes to a custody agreement. If you are looking for a lawyer in San Antonio to help you navigate a similar situation, our team is ready to speak with you.
Let a San Antonio Lawyer at Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. Help You
Seeking to make changes to a custody agreement is never easy. Whether you are certain that you need to modify your custody agreement or you are just exploring your options, seeking the counsel of an experienced lawyer can help you make the best decisions for yourself and your children. Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. is a trusted name in the San Antonio community because of our decades of service and work on behalf of families. To discuss your case with a member of our modifications team, give us a call today at (210) 349-9933.