Domestic Violence and Texas Family Court
How abuse may influence custody, possession, and parenting orders in Texas.
Understanding Custody and Family Violence Considerations
Best-Interest Standard
The best-interest standard is a guiding principle used by courts to decide custody and visitation matters. It focuses on what arrangement will most benefit the child’s well-being and development. Factors considered can include the child’s safety, emotional needs, and the quality of each parent’s caregiving.
Raising Family Violence Concerns
When there are concerns about family violence, these can be brought to the attention of the court during custody or visitation decisions. Courts take these concerns seriously, as they can affect the child’s and the custodial parent’s safety. It is important to provide any relevant information or evidence related to such concerns.
Supervised Possession Possibilities
In some cases, the court may order supervised possession. This means that visits or time spent with a parent happen in a controlled environment, supervised by a third party. This arrangement aims to reduce risk while maintaining some level of contact between the parent and child.
Interaction with Protective Orders
Protective orders can impact custody and visitation arrangements. If a protective order is in place, the court will consider its restrictions when deciding on possession schedules. The goal is to respect the protective order while balancing custody rights, always prioritizing safety.
These topics are complex and vary by jurisdiction. Additional support options can be found through resources listed at DV.Support.