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Texas Child Custody Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Texas on
Q: My ex- wife wants my son to live with her in North Carolina before turning 18 next December.

He has lived with me for the last few years with nothing from her. She doesn't want child support or anything from me. How do I ensure she doesn't change her mind? We can't really share custody or have normal visitation since we are in Texas.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Dec 16, 2024

When you negotiate your new child custody order, include a specific provision that states that you have provided support for your son for X years (without ex-wife paying child support, if applicable) and, therefore, the parties agree that you will not be obligated to pay child support to your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support and Civil Rights for Texas on
Q: my spouse in which I’m divorcing has committed defamation and slander and perjury and under oath

I am in the end of my divorce and child custody case. my spouse has committed perjury by informing the judge of false accusations regarding myself trying to commit suicide. He committed perjury by advising the judge that he has ever taken care of the children. At any time he committed perjury by... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Dec 4, 2024

Statements made in judicial proceedings including divorce actions are absolutely privileged and cannot provide the basis for claims of defamation or slander.

Perjury is a crime which can be reported to law enforcement. It will be up to police and to the district attorney whether the State...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Texas on
Q: i am in contact with the AOG already, should I consider hiring an attorney to assist me with the child support process?
Rafee'a S. Majeed
Rafee'a S. Majeed
answered on Dec 4, 2024

The OAG is a good route to go without hiring an attorney IF you and the other party are NOT in agreement over who will have custody of the child(ren), or how often a parent will have some visitation with the child(ren). The OAG will assist with any disagreements over the monthly child support... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Texas on
Q: If I don't have the address to my children's dad's new address, do I have the right to refuse to hand my boys over?

My ex-husband and I share two children, we're recently divorced and he has them for Christmas this year, 2024. He is the non-custodial parent. He has recently told me that he has signed a lease to a "new" place of residency in Georgia where he will be living from now on and the boys... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Dec 4, 2024

No, unless a court order clearly says otherwise, the NCP's refusal to provide his address does not justify denying the NCP possession of the children in accordance with the terms of your custody order. This falls into the category of "two wrongs don't make a right." I would... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Texas on
Q: If I don't have the address to my children's dad's new address, do I have the right to refuse to hand my boys over?

My ex-husband and I share two children, we're recently divorced and he has them for Christmas this year, 2024. He is the non-custodial parent. He has recently told me that he has signed a lease to a "new" place of residency in Georgia where he will be living from now on and the boys... View More

Rafee'a S. Majeed
Rafee'a S. Majeed
answered on Dec 4, 2024

Unless your divorce decree states that you do not have to release the children without the Father's address, you are required to follow the divorce decree and surrender to the children to Father at the time and place in your decree. Failure to do so could result him taking you to court for... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Texas on
Q: My daughter's father won't let me have her and every attempt he avoids the custody agreement. Motion filed against him

FIled motion for a hearing and his hired attorney trying to get transferred and delay everything from not agreeing on dates available in my county

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 18, 2024

Talk to your attorney about whether you filed in the correct county. Normally, if the child resided in the county where you filed for the preceding 90-days, you filed in the correct county. Otherwise, a transfer to that county would seem to be the correct procedure. If a transfer is appropriate,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Texas on
Q: How can I get visitation and my rights to my children back after a Protection order was filed against me more than 2 yrs

Protection order was filed in 2020, I was incarcerated at the time of the hearing, the allegations were not accurate nor was I ever convicted of anything in that nature. And I have not been able to see or speak or know anything about my children since 2021.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 7, 2024

You can file a motion to modify in suit affecting the parent-child relationship. If the protective order is still in force and effect (they typically only last two years), you would also want to modify the protective order if it limits your access to your children.

You will want to present...
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1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Adoption, Child Custody and Civil Litigation for Texas on
Q: I asked to appeal the trial courts order and my lawyer said no what do I do?

He missed the deadline to file the appeal and will not contact me giving me any further information or case records I do not have a final order and the case has already went to appeals on the mothers request what do I tell the appeal court my attorney list the wrong contact information and I have... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Oct 31, 2024

Not all lawyers handle appeals. You need to contact an attorney who practices in the area of civil appellate law and bring them a copy of the trial court order you want to appeal. There is a time limit from when the order was signed for you to appeal, so acting promptly is strongly recommended.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Texas on
Q: Cps wants to Terminate my right but I refuse to give them up. What is the next step!They have my kids n are place Family

What will happen with my kids if I refuse to give up my rights. CPS wants to Terminate my rights and I'm not going to give them up. What will the out cone.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Oct 2, 2024

The outcome depends on what evidence CPS and you introduce at trial. If you cannot afford an attorney in this type of proceeding, the court will appoint one. That being said, you should retain an experienced family law attorney who has handled CPS termination cases before, if you are able to do... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Texas on
Q: Can a court order prevent me from bringing someone with me, who I am dating, to my children's activities?

Never has there been any sort of incident where someone accompanying me has caused a scene or issue. The only issue would be my ex wife being pissed off, and her attorney having too cozy of a relationship with the judge. This "issue" was never previously discussed in any litigation. This... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 30, 2024

Yes, a court order can theoretically do that. Since you mention a "decision letter," that suggests you had a contested custody battle with your ex-wife. It would be surprising in post-divorce custody litigation for such an order to be made without a very good reason established by the... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Civil Rights for Texas on
Q: How do I get my one year old back after 3 months away from me?

I was financially struggling and temporarily placed him with his father for his best interest and we agreed that once I was secure I would bring him home

John Cucci Jr.
John Cucci Jr. pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 22, 2024

If you had your agreement with your son's father, and it was in-writing, you have a good chance of getting your baby back. If the agreement was not put in a written agreement, then you may be able to use emails, texts, or other communications to build your case for re-unification with your... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Civil Rights for Texas on
Q: How do I get my one year old back after 3 months away from me?

I was financially struggling and temporarily placed him with his father for his best interest and we agreed that once I was secure I would bring him home

John Cucci Jr.
John Cucci Jr. pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 22, 2024

If you had your agreement with your son's father, and it was in-writing, you have a good chance of getting your baby back. If the agreement was not put in a written agreement, then you may be able to use emails, texts, or other communications to build your case for re-unification with your... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Texas on
Q: Custody of child is 50/50, can I have him put on 72 hour hold during my time without biodad being able to pull him out?

I have half custody of my child, everything is split in half including medical decisions. Can I have my child placed in an institution for a 72 hour hold during my time with him without bio-dad having any legal rights to pull him out since it would be during my week with him?My child is Autistic,... View More

Gratia "Grace" P. Schoemakers
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Gratia "Grace" P. Schoemakers pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 18, 2024

Your custody / visitation order should tell you who has the rights to make these types of medical decisions, and whether or not the other parents must agree to it.

If you are not sure if your order has this information in it, contact your family law attorney for guidance. If need be, file a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Texas on
Q: Spouse has a restraining order for beating his wife and he is undocumented, can the wife leave the state with her 3 kids

She has no family or friends to help in Texas

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 12, 2024

Unless a court order has been entered preventing her from leaving the state with the kids, she is free to do so. If her spouse has court-ordered possession times, she needs to make sure that the kids are available for those times and are available at the location specified in the order for the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for Texas on
Q: Can 2 minors my mother has temp custody of come live with me and my wife while we are petitioning for adoption/guardian

My aunt was given power of attorney of two minors who are her nieces that were removed from their home by CPS. My aunt then gave my mother temporary custody. CPS is saying the case is closed, parental rights are severed, and my aunt no longer has POA since signing over temp custody. The question is... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 6, 2024

Whoever has been appointed managing conservator of the children can consent, orally or in writing, for the children to live with you.

That consent will not, however, accomplish certain goals like enabling you to enroll the children in a public school, consent to medical treatment, consent...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Texas on
Q: Ncp has not followed court order since 2020 currently wants to follow the order. We start from the beginning of order

Non-custodial parent has been absent from child’s life since the child was six months old has a past with family, violence, harassment drugs, alcohol, etc what can managing conservator due as far as denying visitation due to social media pictures of non-custodial parent doing drugs while... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Aug 30, 2024

Your custody order should specify what days the non-custodial parent is entitled to visitation. While it is considered good parenting to mutually agree on alternate dates if there is something that interferes with a noncustodial parent’s specified days, in the absence of such an agreement, the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Texas on
Q: Ex breaking contract from mediation and hiding with my son, what can I do to enforce contract or get custody of my son?

Mom and myself have a final order in that we agreed to with mediation and she's constantly breaching contract. I don't have an address on file and there is barely any communication coming from her so I'm not able to have a relationship with our son. I want to start over and fight... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Aug 14, 2024

You need to make sure your address and other contact information is immediately updated with the court, with the mother, and with the state child support disbursement unit.

I strongly recommend that you make sure your child support payment history is accurate and shows that you have been...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Texas on
Q: What are my options for a divorce?

My children are 11, 15, and 18 years old. My 18-year-old has autism, so he will continue living with me. I want my younger two to stay with me because their father is always working and can't be available to meet their needs. My husband has arranged for me to stay home and take care of the... View More

Christopher Michael Schmiedeke
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Christopher Michael Schmiedeke
answered on Aug 13, 2024

If you were to file for divorce, you could ask for temporary spousal support to help pay bills similar to what is going on now. I am not sure how long you have been married, so I am not sure if spousal maintenance after the divorce is on the table. If you have been married longer than 10 years,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Texas on
Q: How do I file a motion to dismiss a child custody case from Louisiana for modification in Texas?

I live in Texas with my daughter, but her Dad lives in Louisiana. Lately, he's become aggressive and can't stick to the orders. He recently filed a report with CPS with false allegations. I'm needing to enforce the orders and modify them in Texas. I understand there's a motion... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Aug 1, 2024

Under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act, Texas becomes the "home state" of the child once the child has resided in Texas for six months. If your child has resided in Texas for at lease six months, you can simply file a motion to modify in a district court with family law... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Texas on
Q: How and what do I need to start a custody case?

No court orders. Not married. 3 children.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jul 23, 2024

Typically, you would need to locate an attorney who practices in the area of family law in or near the county where your children reside and a reasonable initial retainer of $15-25,000 if you and the other parent have not reached an agreement on child support and a parenting plan.

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