Ellis County Child Custody Attorney

Navigating a child custody case is an emotional journey that requires strength, compassion, and expert legal guidance. At Shemesh Family Law, we understand that your child's future is your most important priority. Led by Amber Shemesh, an attorney with over 15 years of experience in North Texas family law, our firm provides the dedicated advocacy families in Ellis County deserve.

Dedicated Custody Advocacy: Amber Shemesh
With more than 15 years of experience in child custody litigation and mediation, Amber Shemesh has a deep understanding of the family law courts in Ellis County. She works closely with parents to navigate the complexities of the Texas Family Code, ensuring that your rights are protected and the best interests of your children are served.

Serving Families Throughout Ellis County
Ellis County is a unique community of growing cities and historic towns. We offer localized legal expertise to parents across the county, including:
Child Custody Lawyers in Waxahachie, TX
As the county seat, Waxahachie serves as the central hub for Ellis County legal matters. We represent Waxahachie residents in the local district courts, providing a strategic advantage through our familiarity with the local judicial processes and community standards.
Child Custody Attorneys in Ennis, TX
Families in Ennis require representation that understands the values of their community. We help Ennis parents establish custody and visitation schedules that reflect the specific needs of their children and their daily lives.
Child Custody Lawyers in Midlothian, TX
With the rapid growth of Midlothian, many families find themselves navigating legal changes. We provide Midlothian residents with clear, actionable legal advice regarding conservatorship, child support, and parental rights.

Understanding Conservatorship in Texas
In Texas, 'child custody' is legally referred to as 'Conservatorship.' We help Ellis County parents navigate:

• Joint Managing Conservatorship (JMC) and parental decision-making rights

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  Sole Managing Conservatorship (SMC) in cases where one parent should have primary authority

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  Standard and Expanded Standard Possession Orders (Visitation Schedules)

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  Geographic restrictions on where the child may reside

• Child support calculations and enforcement

Protect Your Children’s Future at Shemesh Family Law
If you are facing a custody battle or need to modify an existing order in Ellis County, do not wait to seek legal counsel. Put Amber Shemesh’s 15+ years of experience to work for you today.
Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation

Contact Shemesh Family Law to Schedule a Consultation

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Child custody cases involve a range of issues that can affect the final arrangement. Our deep knowledge and experience allow us to take on the entire scope of issues surrounding child custody, including:

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• Determining legal and physical custody

• Drafting and modifying parenting plans

• Grandparents’ rights

• Custody for same-sex parents

• Establishing paternity

• Parental relocation

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Our child custody lawyers understand that every custody dispute is unique and we tailor our services to meet each client’s specific needs.

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Factors Considered In Determining Child Custody In Ellis County Texas
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Ideally, parents are able to work together to create a parenting plan. When parents are unable to come to an agreement, each parent must present their argument and it is up to the court to decide on final arrangements. The best interests of the child are always the primary consideration when the court makes a decision.

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Texas courts do not favor the mother over the father but consider other factors, such as:

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• The relationships between each parent and the child(ren)

• The health of each parent

• The health of each child

• Any history of abuse

• Each parent’s financial situation

• The housing situation for each parent and the distance between their homes

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The most common kind of agreement features a primary (possession more than 50% of the time) and nonprimary custody parent. The Texas Family Code has a Standard Possession Schedule that entitles the nonprimary custody parent to have the children on the first, third and fifth weekends of every month, as well as 30 days of extended summer possession. It is rare for the court to grant sole custody to a parent, but it can happen in certain situations, such as a history of child abuse or health issues.

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How Does The Child Custody Process Work In Denton County Texas? Our Child Custody Lawyers Explain.
 

Child custody disputes are often contentious and filled with strong emotions. But, you can successfully persevere through this process by understanding what steps you need to take to protect your custody rights. The first objective you should accomplish is finding a Ellis County child custody attorney to guide you through the process. Moreover, an Ellis County child custody attorney can help you make sure that you file your petition with the appropriate court.

After you determine which court has jurisdiction, you will need to begin filling out the necessary forms. Your lawyer can help you locate the correct documents and guide you as you complete them. Once these forms have been completed, you will then file your petition with the court.

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Next, to inform your spouse that you have submitted a petition, you will need to serve them. You can serve your spouse by hiring a private process server, sending the petition and summons by certified mail if applicable, or through a waiver of service.

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After serving your spouse, you will need to attend mediation before the court will hear your custody case. The courts require mediation in hopes that you and your spouses will be able to find common ground and mutually agree upon a custody plan. No matter how possible you believe that, be sure to collect evidence such as school records, medical records and proof that you are an involved parent. Having evidence to back up your side of the case can significantly increase your chances of earning custody.

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If a custody plan is not able to be produced during the mediation process, then a court hearing will be scheduled. You will have the opportunity to present your side of the case and back your claims up with the evidence you provided to the court.

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Once the hearing has concluded, the judge will hand down a final custody ruling. Be sure to adhere to every aspect of the custody plan otherwise, you could potentially have your custody rights rescinded or your parenting time reduced. Finally, you can always petition the court for a modification if significant changes occur that impact the current parenting schedule.

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Understanding Child Custody: Definition, Purpose, and How Custody is Determined
 

When it comes to family law, one of the most important and emotionally charged matters that families face is child custody. At Shemesh Family Law, we understand the weight that these decisions carry, and our Denton County child custody attorneys are committed to helping Texas families navigate the legal complexities of child custody.

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What is Child Custody?
 

Child custody refers to the legal arrangement for the care and control of a child following a separation or divorce. It determines who will make major decisions about the child’s life (legal custody) and where the child will live (physical custody). Custody arrangements are designed to prioritize the best interests of the child and ensure their well-being.

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Purpose of Child Custody
 

The primary goal of child custody proceedings is to ensure the child’s safety, stability, and emotional health. Texas family courts aim to create custody arrangements that provide both parents with meaningful involvement in their child’s life, while also minimizing any potential harm or disruption to the child’s routine.

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Child custody decisions are based on the child’s best interests, which may include several factors such as the child’s age, needs, the relationship with each parent, and the parents’ ability to cooperate in raising the child.

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Legal vs. Physical Custody
 

Understanding the difference between legal and physical custody is crucial for parents involved in a custody dispute.

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1. Legal Custody
 

Legal custody refers to the right to make major decisions regarding the child’s upbringing, including decisions about education, healthcare, and religious training. In Texas, both parents can share legal custody (joint legal custody), or one parent may have sole legal custody. Joint legal custody means both parents work together to make decisions, while sole legal custody gives one parent the exclusive right to make those decisions.

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2. Physical Custody
 

Physical custody refers to where the child lives on a day-to-day basis. It addresses the practical arrangement of who will provide the child’s daily care. In Texas, physical custody is often split into two categories: primary custody and visitation.

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Primary Physical Custody: One parent is designated as the primary custodian, and the child will primarily live with them.

Visitation (Possession and Access): The non-custodial parent is typically granted visitation rights to spend time with the child. The visitation schedule can be structured in many ways, from regular weekends to holidays and extended breaks, depending on the circumstances and what is best for the child.