Family Law

Bexar County Attorney Skilled in Child Custody Matters 

Both the mother and the father play a vital role in the upbringing of a child. Even if the parents are divorced, a child typically benefits from both parents being actively involved in their life. Fathers in Texas technically have the same rights as mothers. At the Law Offices of Clarissa Fernandez Pratt, our Bexar County child custody lawyers can help fathers assert their parental rights and reunify father and child. With over a hundred trials experience, we understand the nuances of Texas family law and can serve as your trusted legal advocates.

Protecting Fathers’ Rights in South Texas

Fathers’ rights may involve a number of areas that permit a father to take an active role in a child’s life. Some of these areas include a father’s right to maintain an ongoing relationship with their child, spend time with their child regularly, make decisions on behalf of their child, and participate in co-parenting and joint custody agreements.

Under Texas law, there is a presumption that ongoing and frequent contact with both parents is beneficial for a child. The law itself does not favor the mother over the father or vice versa. Instead, all child custody and visitation determinations are guided by what is in the best interest of the child. The court has broad discretion to examine any and all factors that may be relevant to this determination. It is our experience that Judges in the State tend to favor the mother, however, there is sweeping reform and strong advocates in our office that fight for equal right between the parents. 

Fathers in Texas may seek legal and physical custody of their children, but only after they have been established the father of the child. If you were married to the children’s mother then you are by law presumed to be the child’s father. Legal custody refers to the right of parents to make important decisions about a child’s education, health care, and general welfare. Legal custody may be joint or sole. If a father has joint legal custody, he will be able to make important decisions regarding the child, as will the other parent. If a father has sole legal custody, he will be the only parent who has the right to make major decisions regarding the child’s welfare. Possession and access denotes the time that a child is physically in a parent’s care. Possession and access may be standard visitation or a 50/50 schedule. 

Some fathers believe that if they are behind on their child support, they will not be able to see their child. This is not true. A father’s visitation issues must be addressed independently from other issues in a custody dispute. For example, visitation orders may not be conditioned upon issues like child support payments, a parent’s sexual orientation, or a parent’s religious beliefs.

Explore Your Options with a Child Custody Lawyer in San Antonio  

As a father, you have important rights when it comes to your children. At the Law Offices of Clarissa Fernandez Pratt, our experienced child custody attorney can help protect these rights. We understand that you are dealing with extremely sensitive circumstances, which is why we are committed to providing compassionate representation at every step of the way. We can assist people who need a family law attorney in San Antonio and surrounding areas. To set up a free no obligation consultation, call 210-417-4590 or contact us online.