Child Custody Lawyer in McKinney, TX
Finding the Best Options for Your Child and Family
When a marriage or long-term relationship with children comes to an end, parenting responsibilities do not. One of the biggest worries you may have is how your children will be cared for and whether those plans will be legally binding. With the help of an experienced child custody lawyer, you can protect your children’s best interests and your peace of mind.
At Petitt Family Law, we focus our practice solely on matters pertaining to family law concerns. We can help you through your divorce and create personalized child support and custody arrangements. These allow you and your family to move forward to the next chapter of your life.
Discuss your child's needs with an experienced McKinney child custody attorney by requesting a consultation at (469) 716-6893 or by contacting us online.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
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"Excellent, professional and knowledgeable staff."Excellent, professional and knowledgeable staff. Always ready to serve your family law requests.- Ross
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"She was an excellent partner through the whole process."Melody handled my case with care & logic. She challenged me when I was leading with emotional rather than logic, and understood when she needed to pull back. She was an excellent partner through the whole process, and I have already recommended her to others.- Anonymous
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"Words can’t express my gratitude, thank you Melody!"Custody situations are not fun and as a father, it always seemed like an uphill battle but because of Melody I had not the best legal representation but a group of people who had my back and made sure that my son’s best interest was always THE priority. Melody was relentless in ensuring that the job was done right and successfully. Words can’t express my gratitude, thank you Melody! THANK YOU FOR MAKING THINGS RIGHT!- Josh
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"You will not find a better attorney than Melody Petitt!"As a single father living in a different state, Melody was knowledgeable about Family Law regarding my specific circumstance. She was personable and well versed in jurisdictional law in Texas and interprets the law similarly to the Court. Melody was respectful of my want to minimize cost but did not cut corners either. Melody and her staff was was communicative throughout the process. You will not find a better attorney than Melody Petitt!- Darryl
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"Melody and Stacy are a dynamic pair that you can trust to have your best interests in mind always."Responsive, efficient, so knowledgeable about the law and what you need to get through the process. Melody and Stacy are a dynamic pair that you can trust to have your best interests in mind always. Love them.- Kayti
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"Melody was easy to work with, listened to what I had to say, and helped me navigate a complicated divorce."Melody was easy to work with, listened to what I had to say, and helped me navigate a complicated divorce. Her knowledge of the law made it easy to feel confident in our case. She was very professional and could not have been more thorough. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a great attorney who is willing to fight for you.- Taylor
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"Melody is a great family lawyer."Melody and the firm’s staff gave us excellent assistance in our successful effort to gain custodial control of our grandson. She guided us through the process, timely filed all documents and gave us great representation in the court proceedings.- Steven
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"Thank you so much for all of your help! I’m happy I had such an amazing team in my corner!"Thank you so much for all of your help! You and your team have been great and a huge help in aiding me to navigate through those difficult times. I’m glad it is finally over and I’m happy I had such an amazing team in my corner!- Ben
Types of Child Custody
Custody for children in Texas is also called conservatorship. It addresses who will have decision-making authority for the children when a marriage ends. Custody can be awarded solely to one parent or jointly to both or, in rare circumstances, to a third party.
It is important to understand what certain terms mean when creating custody agreements:
- Joint custody: Parents share decision making authority for things like invasive medical procedures or psychiatric care.
- Sole custody: Only one parent has the right to make decisions for the children.
- Third-party custody: When both parents are deemed unfit to care for their child, custody may go to a relative or another individual who is a third party. Again, the best interests of the child are the most essential factor.
Most parents will have joint custody, meaning parents will share decision making authority for the children.
How Is Child Custody Determined in the State of Texas?
In the State of Texas, child custody decisions, or conservatorship as it's legally termed, are determined based on what is in the "best interests of the child." Courts consider various factors such as the child's emotional and physical needs, each parent's ability to provide for these needs, the stability of each home environment, and any history of family violence or substance abuse. Additionally, if the child is 12 years or older, the court may consider the child's own wishes regarding which parent they prefer to live with. The primary goal is to ensure a stable, healthy, and supportive living situation that fosters the child's development and well-being.
Child Support and Child Custody in Texas
If you are unable to agree on a child support amount with the other parent, then the determination of whether a parent will be required to pay child support is made by the family court judge overseeing your case.
Child support is typically paid to the parent who covers the daily expenses for raising the child, such as food, clothing, and shelter. The amount is calculated by adding up the non-custodial parent’s income and requiring a percentage of that pay for child support. If there are multiple children, the percentage increases. The higher your income, the more you will pay in support.
Still have questions? Do not delay, Contact us online to schedule a consultation or call (469) 716-6893 to discuss your options for child custody.
How Can an Attorney Help With Child Custody Matters in Texas
One of the most crucial requirements for a family law attorney is being trustworthy. When it comes to the custody of your child, you need to feel that they understand your situation and concerns. You may feel fear, anger, and bitterness, but also hope for a better future after everything is settled. We are competent in all child custody matters, and we devote ourselves to helping you throughout the decision-making process.
Securing the well-being of your children means making important decisions with clear and knowledgeable legal guidance. We can help you craft child support agreements that meet the needs of the children, the custodial parent, and the non-custodial parent. We are skilled in managing complicated child custody cases, including those where parents live far apart.
Developing Child Custody Agreements That Are Fair to All Parties
Texas prefers that parents come to an amicable and satisfactory agreement about custody and visitation before appearing in court. Working out the details with a dedicated attorney lets you control the outcome of your divorce or child custody case.
We help you build an agreement that addresses who will have legal custody of your children and a visitation schedule. We take into consideration the parental rights of each person to create a parenting plan that is always in the best interests of the child or children. Factors such as distance, safety, and transportation are included to create a visitation plan that allows each parent to make the most of their parenting time with their children.
Having skilled representation on legal matters such as child support and child custody rulings can make the difference in getting the agreement that works best for your child and leaving it to the judge’s discretion. At Petitt Family Law, we build a strong attorney-client relationship that allows us to ensure you feel confident and informed every step of the way. We will be by your side before, during, and after your appearance in Collin County family court.
Avoid Costly Mistakes
So many things can go wrong if you try to handle custody, child support, or divorce on your own. Having a legally binding agreement ensures the brightest future for you as a parent and for your child. You can rest easy knowing we understand your concerns and are dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible outcome.
We pride ourselves on being a calm and compassionate influence during this difficult time. Our experience in family law can keep the discussions on track and soothe frayed nerves so a satisfactory compromise can be reached quickly. We offer objective and professional advice combined with thorough research tailored to every client’s needs.
Why Choose Petitt Family Law?
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Hundreds of Satisfied ClientsWork with a dedicated law firm with positive reviews from happy clients.
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20+ Years of ExperienceAttorney Melody Petitt has over 2 decades of family law experience.
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Start with a Quick & Easy ConsultMeet with Petitt Family Law during a virtual consultation!
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Family Law Is All We DoOur law firm focuses all of our practice on family law.