Child Custody Lawyer
Parents want what's best for their children. After a divorce, you may have disputes over custody with your former spouse.
A child custody attorney can help address custody disputes while always prioritizing your child's health and safety.
Practicing law for more than four decades, Randy Michel in College Station, TX, is here to help your family.
Are You in a Child Custody Battle? Speak with a Custody Attorney Today
Conservatorship disputes can become heated. A skilled lawyer familiar with the Texas Family Code can help you assert your rights as a parent while putting your child's best interests first. Contact our College Station, TX, law firm today to set up a legal consultation.
Our Attorneys Handle Many Custody Cases For a Broad Array of Clients
In 2022, our law firm took on over 40 new child custody cases. This area of law is not something we dabble in: it is something we focus a significant amount of our time on. Doing so gives us the in-depth knowledge necessary to handle the intricacies of each individual case.
We represent everyone who may need help obtaining physical custody. This includes fathers, mothers, and military parents. Regardless of your individual case, you can trust that our lawyers care about protecting your rights and seeking the best arrangement for your child or children.
The Law Office of Randy Michel can discuss your financial situation. In addition to charging reasonable attorney fees, we can determine the most effective way to maximize your budget.
Our College Station Law Firm Is Here to Help
"We were forced to have to retain an attorney in the state of Texas for a custody dispute. Randy and Andrea went above and beyond and we were successful! The issue was not only intrastate BUT also complicated and time sensitive. I would recommend them to anyone!" Benjamin Adams, 2022 Legal Custody Client
Understanding Child Custody
Child custody gives parents the authority to decide on crucial aspects of a child's upbringing, including:
- Education
- Religion
- Medical care
Judges consider the best interests of the children when making custody decisions, which is a common legal standard in child custody cases.
The state of Texas uses the term "conservatorship" when addressing the custody of a child. Different kinds of conservatorships may be arranged.
When You Should Consult a Child Custody Lawyer
Undergoing a Divorce
If you are getting divorced and have children, it's crucial to speak with a lawyer about custody and conservatorship arrangements. In addition to visitation schedules, your lawyer can also discuss child support payments.
Misconduct by the Other Parent
If your former spouse is abusive, neglectful, or potentially dangerous, it's crucial that you consult with an attorney about protecting your child. Changes can be made to conservatorship arrangements as well as visitation rights and access.
Changes in Circumstances
Custody arrangements could be altered if a parent has remarried, lost their job, experienced a medical emergency, or is facing financial hardships. A lawyer can help you understand how this will impact visitation and child support.
Moving and Interstate Parenting
Relocation can change the way divorced couples co-parent their children. Whether moving to a different part of Texas or leaving the state, a child custody lawyer can help work out a new custody arrangement.
Get the Legal Guidance You Need Contact the Law Office of Randy Michel
Whether you're getting a divorce or are concerned about the health and safety of your child when they're with your former spouse, it's important to have a lawyer on your side. Your attorney can answer your questions and help you understand what steps you should take next.
Attorney Randy Michel brings more than four decades in legal practice to your case. As a former judge, he understands family law from the other side of the bench. In addition, his skills as a mediator and arbitrator can help you and your former spouse reach mutually agreeable compromises outside of court.
Get the help you need. If you live in the greater Bryan or College Station, TX, area, contact our law firm to set up a consultation.
Call Our Law Firm
(979) 764-2435
Get a Family Law Attorney on Your Side
"My gratitude towards The Law Office of Randy Michel knows no bounds as Hailey Harrison, Andrea O’Neil, and Hailee Berry provided me with kindness, assistance, and empathy throughout my separation and child custody agreement. Despite the difficulty of the situation, their unwavering support made it more manageable. I extend my sincere appreciation to Hailey, the rest of the team, and will always hold a deep sense of gratitude towards them." Julio Peraza, 2023 Divorce & Legal Custody Client
Types of Conservatorship Child Custody Arrangements
Joint Custody
Joint managing conservatorship means that both parents are involved in raising a child and making decisions about the child's upbringing. The state of Texas typically presumes that joint conservatorships and co-parenting arrangements will be sought unless circumstances dictate otherwise.
Sole Custody
Sole conservatorship means that just one parent has the decision-making authority regarding the upbringing of a child. The other parent may still be granted parenting time and visits with their child. This helps maintain a parental relationship even though they cannot make child-rearing decisions.
Finding the Right Custody Arrangement
Sometimes co-parenting is possible, while other times it's important for one parent to have the authority to make all parenting decisions. Working with a knowledgeable child custody attorney like Randy Michel allows you to communicate your needs and what you have to offer when it comes to your child's best interests.
Third-Party
Conservatorships
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Grandparents, relatives, and other non-parental guardians can also seek legal custody of a child. The same concerns about a child's best interests apply, though there could be challenges to seeking third-party conservatorship. It's essential to have a child custody lawyer from our College Station, TX, law office on your side in these kinds of custody cases.
How the Courts Determine Child Custody
When the courts determine which parent gets physical custody, they analyze what is in the best interest of the child. A Texas supreme court case known as Holley v. Adams set standards for what these best interests are:
- The desires of the child are paramount
- Parental abilities of the custody seeker
- Stability of the custody-seeker's home
- Available programs that can help the child
- Potential physical danger the child may face
- Child-rearing plans made by the custody seeker
- The child's current and future emotional and physical needs
- Acts showing that a parent is unfit to have custody
- Excuses for questionable actions by a parent
Allow Our Attorneys To Fight For Your Child
Attorneys Randy Michel and Hailey Harrison draw upon many successful child custody cases when fighting for the best interests of their clients' children. Call (979) 764-2435 or write so they can do the same for you.
Arbitration and Mediation
Not all child custody disputes have to be resolved in court. Lengthy and expensive fights in court could affect your ability to co-parent and negatively impact your relationship with your child. Alternative forms of dispute resolution such as arbitration and mediation may be just what you need.
Randy Michel has worked as an arbitrator and mediator in child custody disagreements. He also has training in collaborative law. His years in dispute resolution allow him to facilitate a fruitful conversation between parents, keeping antagonism and hard feelings to a minimum.
During a consultation at our College Station, TX, practice, we can determine if avoiding court is the right move and help you and your former spouse agree to a compromise for the sake of your child.
We Handle Child Support
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Child custody and child support are interrelated. Our attorneys can effectively handle payment disputes, issues with delinquent payments, and child support modifications.
Bryan-College Station Believes in Us
"Very helpful ! Thank God for lawyers like them !! Keep up the good work." A Grateful 2023 College Station Client
