Child Custody Lawyer in Temple TX
Support For Parents Facing Custody Decisions
At Law Office of Nancy Perry Eaton, PLLC, we help parents in Temple and across Central Texas work through child custody issues with clarity and care. Our firm has focused on family law since 1992, so we understand how Texas custody laws work in practice and how local courts tend to approach these cases. Our goal is to guide you through a process that protects your child, your parenting role, and your peace of mind as much as possible.
To talk with our team about your child custody situation in Temple, call (254) 221-8588.
Why Parents Choose Our Firm
Parents often reach out to us at one of the hardest points in their lives, when a separation, divorce, or disagreement about parenting has become too much to manage alone. They stay with us because of how we treat them and their children throughout the case. Our firm brings more than 30 years of family law experience in Central Texas, and we use that experience to help parents see the path forward, not just the problem in front of them.
From your first call, you work with team members you get to know and who get to know you. We prioritize returning calls and emails quickly, and we offer flexible office hours to fit work and school schedules. For a parent juggling jobs, pickups, and court expectations, having an accessible child custody lawyer Temple families can reach when questions arise can make the process feel less overwhelming.
How Texas Child Custody Works
Understanding the language and structure of Texas custody law can help you feel more in control. In Texas, custody is generally called conservatorship, and parenting time is often referred to as possession and access. In everyday terms, the law is addressing who makes significant decisions for your child and how time is shared between parents.
Courts use a “best interests of the child” standard. Judges typically look at factors such as the child’s physical and emotional needs, each parent’s history of caring for the child, the stability of each home, and the ability of parents to work together. In some situations, especially with older children, courts may also consider the child’s reasonable preferences along with other evidence.
Parenting plans can range from one parent having primary residential time with the other parent following a schedule, to more equal time sharing arrangements when circumstances support that structure. Plans usually address school nights, weekends, holidays, breaks, transportation, and decision making processes for education, healthcare, and activities. A well thought out plan is detailed enough to reduce future misunderstandings but still practical for your family’s routines.
What To Do About Custody Now
Here are practical steps many parents find helpful:
- Stay focused on your child in all communication. Try to avoid angry texts, social media posts, or conversations that might be shown later in court.
- Keep a simple record of your parenting time and involvement, such as school events you attend, medical appointments, and daily routines.
- Gather important documents, including any existing court orders, school records, and medical information that might be relevant to your child’s needs.
- Think about what schedule is realistic for your child, considering school, activities, and your work obligations, rather than only what feels fair in the moment.
- Avoid signing long-term custody or visitation agreements without understanding how difficult they might be to change later through the court system.
Modifying Or Enforcing Custody Orders
Life rarely stays the same for long. New jobs, remarriage, changes in a child’s needs, or moves in and out of the Temple area can make an existing parenting plan unworkable. Texas law allows custody and possession orders to be modified in certain circumstances, but courts generally look for a meaningful change in the situation and for modifications that support the child’s best interests.
Common reasons parents seek modifications include a change in work schedules, relocation for employment, concerns about a child’s well-being in one home, or a child growing older and needing a different routine. In Central Texas, military assignments can also affect where a parent lives or how long they are home. When we review your case, we look at how your current order fits your present reality and whether the change you are seeking is something the court is likely to consider.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will a custody case in Temple usually start?
A custody case usually starts when one parent files documents in a trial court that handles family law for this area. You may also receive papers if the other parent files first. We review those documents with you, explain deadlines, and discuss your options before you respond or take the next step.
Can you help if my co-parent is very hostile?
We regularly work with parents in high-conflict situations. Our approach is to stay focused on your child’s needs, set clear boundaries, and pursue cooperative solutions when possible. When cooperation is not realistic, we still work to reduce unnecessary conflict and to present your concerns clearly to the court.
Can I change a custody order from years ago?
In many situations, yes, especially if there has been a significant change in circumstances or if your child’s needs are different now. We review your current order and what has changed, then discuss whether a modification request is appropriate and what that process might look like for you.
Talk With Our Team About Your Custody Options
At Law Office of Nancy Perry Eaton, PLLC, we bring decades of Central Texas family law experience, a commitment to non-toxic and child focused solutions, and a personal approach built on quick responses and open communication. Payment plans and flexible scheduling are available so getting help from a custody lawyer Temple parents trust feels more manageable.
To talk with our team about your child custody situation in Temple, call (254) 221-8588.
