Custody

Child Custody Lawyer Serving the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex

Child custody is one of the most emotionally charged parts of any divorce. It is vital to get the best possible plan for you and your children. But at the same time, you probably don't want a long, painful battle with your current or soon-to-be ex-spouse.

Attorney Jimmy Ira Carter knows how to get results without bringing about unnecessary bitterness. He focuses on getting the initial plan or modification that you need while also encouraging both spouses to work together for the sake of the children. Contact us for help in child custody cases anywhere in Collin County, Denton County, Dallas County, and Tarrant County, and elsewhere in North Texas.

Custody Is Changing

In the past, people routinely did "orders of standard possession" for child custody cases, in which one parent got primary custody. The other parent then got a visitation plan, meaning that they got to take the kids "every other weekend".

Things have changed -- it is increasingly popular to devise a plan of "equal time of possession," which divides parenting time among both parents in close to a 50-50 split. Customized orders can allow alternating schedules of 3 days with one parent and 4 with another, alternating weeks, alternating weekends, alternating months -- just about anything you can imagine.

The child must still have a primary domicile which determines the child's school district. For all other aspects of the child's life, the parents are what are called "joint managing conservators," meaning that they share all rights, powers and duties.

Joint Custody Means Putting Bitterness Aside

Of course, to share control over so many decisions, a divorced couple must get along reasonably well. A judge will often not allow equal time of possession in very bitter situations, such as cases involving family violence.

Even the most amicable divorcees often are helped by parenting classes. Jimmy is a strong proponent of therapy, communication classes, and support groups for divorcing couples that will help them work together and communicate well. You may not want to live with your one-time spouse, but for the sake of your children, it is important to at least coexist.

Contact Us

If you need help with any child custody setup or modification in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex, get an experienced lawyer on your side. Contact us and set up a consultation. Call us at (972) 385-3952 and you will either get through immediately or we will get back to you within 24 hours. We take all major credit cards, and can make evening and weekend consultations by appointment.