Child Custody Lawyer | Friendswood, TX

Friendswood Child Custody Lawyer | Hannah Law, P.C.

Parents facing a custody dispute want two things: clarity and stability. If you live in Friendswood, Texas or nearby communities like Pearland, League City, Alvin, Clear Lake, your questions likely include: How is custody decided in Texas? What does “conservatorship” mean? Can I get a 50/50 schedule? How do child support, medical insurance, and travel work? What if I need to relocate? At Hannah Law, P.C., our Friendswood child custody lawyers provide practical strategy and steady advocacy in cases involving initial custody orders, modifications, enforcement, relocation (move-away), unmarried parents and paternity, grandparent rights, family-violence protective orders, and complex parenting plans for high-conflict or high-resource families.

We appear in Galveston County and Harris County district courts, understand local procedures and standing orders, and tailor solutions that fit your child’s needs and your day-to-day life. Whether your goal is a standard possession order, expanded standard, custom 50/50 plan, or safeguards around communication and exchanges, we help you convert priorities into a court-ready plan anchored in the best interests of the child under the Texas Family Code.

Key Texas Terms: Conservatorship, Possession & Access, Child Support

Conservatorship (Custody): Texas uses conservatorship for legal custody. Parents are commonly named Joint Managing Conservators (shared decision-making) unless evidence supports Sole Managing Conservator (one parent holds exclusive rights on key decisions). Rights/duties may include education, medical, psychological care, passports/travel, and access to records.

Possession & Access (Visitation/Parenting Time): The schedule setting when each parent has physical time with the child. Options include Standard Possession Order (SPO), Expanded Standard (modified for school-night convenience), and custom schedules (2-2-5-5, week-on/week-off, 3-4-4-3, nesting, or hybrid plans).

Child Support & Medical Support: Texas guideline support is based on net resources of the obligor with adjustments for multiple children. Orders typically include medical support (health insurance) and dental support, plus allocation of uninsured medical expenses and extraordinary costs (therapy, tutoring, activities, travel).

The “Best Interests of the Child” Standard

Every custody case is decided on best interests. Courts weigh factors such as the child’s emotional/physical needs, parental abilities, stability of each home, cooperation, history of caregiving, proximity to school and community (e.g., Clear Creek ISD, Friendswood ISD), and—when appropriate—the child’s preferences. Documenting routines (school drop-offs, homework oversight, extracurriculars, healthcare) helps judges see which plan protects continuity and growth.

What strengthens your position:

Consistent involvement in school, medical appointments, activities

Positive co-parenting conduct, prompt communication, reliability

Safe, stable housing near school/community anchors

Thoughtful proposals for exchanges, holidays, and travel

Evidence-based concerns (not speculation) if safety is at issue

Initial Custody Orders (SAPCR) & Divorce with Children

If parents are not married, a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) sets conservatorship, possession, child support, medical/dental support, and travel parameters. In divorce cases with children, custody and support are integrated into the Final Decree of Divorce. We handle both tracks—mapping temporary orders to stabilize schedules and finances, then negotiating or litigating final terms.

Common long-tail concerns we address:

“How to file for custody in Friendswood without being married”

“Joint managing conservatorship vs sole managing conservator in Texas”

“Does Texas prefer mothers or 50/50 custody?” (Texas does not presume 50/50; it looks at best interests, but 50/50 can be approved when appropriate and workable.)

“How to get expanded standard possession in Galveston County/Harris County courts”

Temporary Orders: Stabilizing Schedules & Safety

Early in a case, courts often enter Temporary Orders to reduce chaos: interim possession schedules, temporary child support, exclusive use of a residence or vehicle, passport controls, and safe-exchange protocols (police station, monitored location). In cases with family violence, we pursue Protective Orders and safety-focused terms (supervised possession, therapeutic visitation, no alcohol during possession, firearm restrictions per law).

Possession Schedules: SPO, Expanded, and Custom 50/50

Standard Possession Order (SPO): A default structure for school-age children (weekends, Thursdays during school year, summer weeks, alternating holidays). It’s predictable and judge-tested.

Expanded Standard: Shifts pickup/drop-off times to expand weekday time and reduce school-night disruption—popular in Friendswood given commuting patterns to Houston/Clear Lake.

Custom 50/50 Plans: Courts may approve equal-time plans when parents live relatively close and cooperate well. Options include:

2-2-5-5 (predictable school-night rhythm)

Week-on/Week-off (simple for teens and long commutes)

3-4-4-3 (balances weekends and weekdays)

Nesting (children stay in one home while parents rotate; often temporary due to cost/logistics)

We tailor holiday (Thanksgiving, winter break, spring break), religious observances, summer, birthdays, and vacation travel (domestic/international) with notice periods, itinerary sharing, and passport handling (including passport control clauses to prevent flight risk).

Decision-Making Rights & Duties

Even with joint conservatorship, major decisions can be joint or allocated:

Education (public/private, IEP/504, tutors, testing)

Medical/mental health (therapy, psychiatry, medication)

Religious participation

Extracurriculars and travel

Access to electronic health/education portals

We draft clear tie-breaker mechanisms (mediation step, non-binding clinician recommendation, or one parent as final arbiter for a narrow category) to avoid stalemates.

High-Conflict, Special Needs, and Therapeutic Plans

Some families need structured communication and conflict-reduction tools:

Co-parenting apps (OurFamilyWizard, TalkingParents) with read receipts

Boundaries and response times, limits on call frequency

Neutral exchange sites or supervised exchanges

Therapeutic provisions (reunification therapy, parenting coordination/facilitation)

For special needs children, orders should specify therapies (ABA, OT, PT, speech), provider networks, transport, funding, and school collaboration—plus contingency plans for regression or medical flare-ups.

Relocation (Move-Away) Cases

When a parent seeks to move away from Friendswood (or from Galveston/Harris County), courts weigh:

Distance and impact on school and relationships

Reasons for relocation (work transfer, family support, remarriage)

Feasible long-distance schedules (blocks of time, summers, virtual contact)

Cost-sharing for travel (airfare, gas, lodging)

Maintaining continuity (extracurriculars, medical providers)

We present data-driven proposals with school calendars, travel itineraries, and cost allocations to make long-distance parenting workable—or to oppose a move that undermines stability.

Modifying Custody or Child Support

Orders can be modified upon a material and substantial change (job change, relocation, schedule shifts, health needs, child’s age/maturity) or when the current order no longer serves best interests. For support, changes in income, insurance, or special expenses may warrant adjustment.

Common long-tail questions:

“How to modify custody in Friendswood after relocation”

“Can I change from standard to 50/50?”

“When can a teenager choose which parent to live with?” (A child can express preferences to the judge under certain procedures; the judge still decides best interests.)

“How to lower or increase child support when income changes”

Enforcement: When the Other Parent Won’t Comply

If a parent withholds possession, refuses exchanges, won’t pay support, or ignores medical/education provisions, we file for enforcement by contempt and request remedies: makeup time, fines, attorney’s fees, wage withholding, liens, license suspension, and other relief. Precise documentation—texts/emails, app logs, calendars—makes or breaks enforcement.

Unmarried Parents, Paternity, and Establishing Rights

For unmarried parents, paternity (acknowledgment or adjudication) sets legal rights/duties. We handle:

DNA testing when needed

Initial SAPCR to establish conservatorship/possession/support

Birth certificate and surname issues

Orders tailored to infant/toddler needs (graduated schedules, feeding sleep cycles, daycare transitions)

Grandparent & Non-Parent Rights (Limited, But Possible)

Texas allows limited grandparent or non-parent standing in specific circumstances (e.g., significant impairment to the child if access is denied, or when a parent is unavailable/unfit). These cases are sensitive and evidence-intensive; we assess candidly and build the necessary records if a petition is appropriate.

Family Violence, Substance Abuse, and Safety Planning

Where there is credible evidence of family violence, stalking, coercive control, or serious substance abuse, the court can implement:

Protective Orders and no-contact provisions

Supervised possession with approved centers or third parties

Sobriety conditions (breath/urine testing, Soberlink)

Firearm restrictions per court authority

Therapy/anger management requirements

We move swiftly to protect children and the targeted parent, while ensuring due process and credible, admissible proof.

International Travel, Passports, and Abduction Risk

For globally mobile families or foreign-born parents, orders should cover:

Passport possession and renewals (shared custody of documents or third-party hold)

Travel notice (days in advance, itinerary, lodging, contact info)

Hague Convention considerations for abduction risk countries

Bond posting or limited-country travel when risk indicators exist

We craft preventive language early—far easier than emergency litigation after the fact.

Evidence That Helps Your Case

School records (attendance, grades, IEP/504 plans)

Healthcare records and therapist letters (while respecting privilege boundaries)

Activity schedules (sports, arts, clubs) and your participation

Digital evidence (messages, emails, app logs), organized and authenticated

Witnesses (teachers, coaches, childcare providers)

Calendars documenting exchanges, late pickups, missed visits, or rule violations

We convert raw data into clear, court-ready exhibits that speak to stability, cooperation, and the child’s day-to-day reality.

Mediation, Collaborative Law, and Litigation

Most custody matters resolve in mediation, where we negotiate detailed parenting plans and mediated settlement agreements. For families prioritizing privacy and problem-solving, a collaborative law track may fit—using neutral child specialists or parenting coordinators. If settlement fails or safety is at risk, we litigate with a child-focused trial strategy: concise issues, credible experts, and pragmatic remedies a judge can implement.

Friendswood-Focused Practicalities (Local SEO & Real-World Utility)

Courts & Venue: Friendswood cases typically file in Galveston County or Harris County depending on address. Local standing orders often govern exchanges, disparagement, and temporary restraints on relocating the child or changing schools.

Geography & Schools: Many families coordinate around Friendswood ISD and Clear Creek ISD calendars; orders should mirror bell times, early release, and activity seasons.

Exchanges & Traffic: Consider pickups at school to minimize conflict; set distance radii for residences to keep schools consistent.

After-School Care: Identify who pays/enrolls; include late-pickup fallbacks and communications with caregivers.

Technology: Specify video calls (frequency, length), device rules, and monitoring under each parent’s care.

Cost, Timing, and What to Expect

Timeline: A straightforward case with cooperative parents may settle in a few months; high-conflict or relocation matters often take longer due to discovery, evaluations, and court calendars.

Costs: Depend on conflict level, need for experts (custody evaluations, therapy, drug testing), discovery volume, and number of hearings. We provide transparent billing and discuss cost-saving choices (mediation, targeted discovery).

Your role: Be responsive, keep records, follow interim orders, and avoid social media posts that can be misconstrued. Consistency with the child speaks louder than rhetoric.

FAQs (Friendswood Child Custody — Long-Tail Optimized)

Do Texas courts favor mothers over fathers?
No. Courts focus on best interests, parenting history, stability, and cooperation. Fathers can and do obtain joint managing conservatorship, equal time, or even primary in appropriate cases.

Can we get a 50/50 schedule in Galveston/Harris County?
Often, yes—if homes are near school, parents communicate reliably, and the plan serves the child’s routine. We present practical 50/50 plans (2-2-5-5, week-on/week-off) with specifics for holidays and travel.

What is “expanded standard possession”?
A variant of the SPO that extends weekday/weekend time, generally better for engaged parents who handle school routines. Many Friendswood families prefer expanded to reduce handoffs.

Will my child have to testify?
Courts try to protect children from testifying. In some cases, judges may conduct an in-chambers interview with older children to hear preferences. The judge still decides best interests.

Can I relocate for a new job?
Maybe. We assess reasons, distance, school impact, cost of travel, and propose long-distance plans. Relocation without consent or court approval can backfire—get advice first.

How do I modify child support?
If income or insurance changes materially—or three years have passed and guidelines would change support by a set amount—modification may be appropriate.

What if the other parent violates the order?
We file enforcement, request makeup time, fees, and remedies the court can enforce. Accurate logs and documentation are critical.

How are holidays divided?
Orders alternate major holidays and split school breaks. We tailor for religious observances, out-of-state family, and special traditions.

Can we require therapy or co-parenting counseling?
Yes. We can include counseling, parenting facilitation, or reunification therapy provisions, with cost-sharing and provider selection rules.

How are medical decisions handled?
We allocate decision rights (joint or one parent as tiebreaker), require provider access for both parents, and set cost-sharing for uninsured expenses.

What to Bring to Your Consultation

Any prior orders (SAPCR, divorce decree, protective orders)

School info (teachers, grades, attendance, special plans)

Medical info (providers, medications, therapy reports as appropriate)

Proposed schedules (school map, commute, activities)

Communication samples if relevant to cooperation/safety

A brief timeline of caregiving roles (morning/evening routines, homework, appointments)

The more we know upfront, the faster we can stabilize the situation and set a realistic path to resolution.

Our Approach at Hannah Law, P.C.

Child-centered: Every ask must serve the child’s needs first.

Local knowledge: Friendswood docket habits, clerks, and standing orders matter; we prepare accordingly.

Practical design: Schedules that work on real school nights—not just on paper.

De-escalation first, litigation when necessary: We seek durable agreements; we litigate firmly if safety or fairness demands it.

Clear communication: You’ll understand options, risks, and next steps at every stage.

Start with a Confidential Strategy Session

If you need a Friendswood child custody lawyer for an initial order, modification, relocation, or enforcement, we’re ready to help you build a plan that protects your child and respects your time, budget, and goals.

Hannah Law, P.C.
Friendswood Office: 1410 Winding Way Dr, Suite E, Friendswood, TX 77546
Phone: (281) 262-1311
Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Service Area: Friendswood • Pearland • League City • Alvin • Clear Lake • Galveston County • Harris County

Your child’s stability comes first. Let’s build a parenting plan that works—today and long-term.