New Braunfels High Conflict Child Custody Lawyer

New Braunfels High Conflict Child Custody Attorney

One of the most stressful things you can face as a parent is a high-conflict child custody battle. In a Texas divorce, you and your spouse will need to reach an arrangement regarding the custody of your children. If you are unable to reach this agreement on your own through negotiation or mediation, a Texas family court judge will need to make this determination for you. These cases can be highly contentious, and a New Braunfels high conflict child custody lawyer can help.

At Vaught Law Firm, P.C., our team has over 40 years of experience fighting for the rights of families and parents in high-conflict cases. We understand what is at stake in a child custody battle and are ready to put our experience and legal knowledge to work to ensure you succeed in your custody goals. At Vaught Law Firm, P.C., you aren’t just another client; you are an individual we care about and are willing to fight for so you can maintain your parental rights.

How Custody Is Determined in New Braunfels

In 2021, Texas saw a divorce rate of 1.4 per every 1000 residents. Nearly half of these cases included children who were under the age of 18. When deciding on how custody will be divided between two parents, a family court judge will base their decision on what they believe to be in the best interests of the child. There are many factors they will take into consideration when reaching this determination, including the following:

• The age and needs of the child
• The emotional and physical needs of the child currently and in the future
• The emotional and physical danger the child may be facing now, and in the future
• The abilities of both parents to support and care for their child
• The stability of the parents’ respective homes
• The programs that may be available to assist the parents in caring for their child
• If there is any history of domestic violence, abuse, or neglect
• If there is any history of substance abuse on the part of either parent
• In certain cases, the courts may take into consideration the preferences of the child. However, this by no means will be the deciding factor in a custody case.

Keeping these principles in mind, Texas courts will not favor one parent over another based on their gender, and in many cases, the courts will name both parents as joint managing conservators, meaning that they will share in all decision-making regarding their child’s upbringing. However, in high-conflict cases, situations may arise that cause one parent to seek sole custody over the other. The most common causes of conflict in custody cases include:

• Parental alienation
• Allegations of substance abuse
• Allegations of emotional or physical abuse or neglect
• Parents with mental illness or a personality disorder
• Unsafe home or living situations

If you believe that any of these factors are present in your custody case, it is vital that you seek a New Braunfels High Conflict Child Custody Lawyer who can help you navigate a high-conflict custody case and seek the most favorable outcome available to you.

The Impacts of Abuse and Alienation in High-Conflict Custody Cases in New Braunfels

In a child custody case, an allegation of abuse or parental alienation can cause the case to become extremely contentious. In 2022 alone, there were over 245,000 referrals to the state for events of child abuse and neglect. If there is certain evidence regarding a pattern of past or current abuse, the courts might decide not to grant joint conservatorship and rather name the non-abusive parent as the sole managing conservator.

However, it is important to keep in mind that, in a high-conflict case, one parent might accuse the other one of abuse in hopes of being granted sole custody. False allegations can actually hurt your case for conservatorship and harm the relationship you have with your children.

Similarly, if you seek to alienate your children from your co-parent, meaning you seek to harm the relationship by lying to your children about your co-parent or speaking poorly about them, this can also hurt your case and cause high conflict to arise when it is otherwise unnecessary.

FAQs About New Braunfels, TX High Conflict Child Custody Laws

Q: How to Handle a High-Conflict Custody Case?

A: If you are facing a high-conflict custody case in New Braunfels, TX, there are certain ways you can handle these cases that can help resolve the conflict between you and your co-parent. First, you can meet with your co-parent regarding all custody issues on neutral ground. It is wise to meet in neutral places when exchanging the children. It is also important that you do not argue in front of your children and maintain realistic expectations of your case.

Q: What Are the Biggest Mistakes in a Custody Battle?

A: There are several mistakes you will want to avoid making in a custody battle. These mistakes can include posting details of the case to social media in order to garner sympathy or support, refusing to communicate with your co-parent regarding your children, lying about abuse, neglect, or substance abuse, or seeking sympathy from your children.

Q: What Are Some Other Factors That Can Lead to High Conflict?

A: Beyond situations of abuse, substance abuse, or alienation, there are several other factors that can cause a custody case to become one of high conflict. These factors include being involved in a military divorce, the presence of mental health issues or personality disorders with either parent, or issues with the distance between the parents’ respective homes.

Q: Who Is Most Likely to Get Full Custody?

A: In the past, family courts in Texas tended to lean more in favor of mothers. However, in our modern era, this is not so much the case. In a recent study put out by the U.S. Census Bureau, 80% of all single-parent families were found to have been maintained by the mother.

Vaught Law Firm, P.C.: Protecting Your Rights as a New Braunfels Parent

At Vaught Law Firm, P.C., we understand what is at stake when it comes to a high-conflict custody case. We know how much you love and care for your children and how you only want what is in their best interest. However, it can be easy to make mistakes when you are feeling frustrated or hurt. Instead of turning to these mistakes, look to the team of our experienced family lawyers at Vaught Law Firm, P.C. to coach you through every aspect of your case. Contact our offices today for more information.