Houston Child Custody Lawyers
Legal Support for Custody, Visitation, & Parenting Matters
At Bastine Law Group, we know how deeply child custody cases affect families. Whether you are navigating parenting arrangements for the first time or modifying an existing order, these situations often carry emotional weight and uncertainty. Our role is to provide steady legal guidance rooted in experience, preparation, and care for your family’s future.
When you first meet with our team, we take time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and walk you through how Texas custody laws apply to your situation. We explain the likely range of outcomes so you understand what is realistic, and we help you identify your priorities regarding decision-making, time with your child, and long-term stability. Because every family dynamic is different, we focus on building a strategy that reflects your child’s needs and your practical realities, such as work schedules, school location, and existing routines.
Throughout your case, we stay in close communication so you always know what is happening in the legal process. That may include preparing for mediation, negotiating parenting plans, or getting ready for hearings in Harris County or Fort Bend County family courts. Our goal is to reduce surprises and help you feel prepared for each step, whether your case is resolved through agreement or requires a judge to decide contested issues.
Why Families Across Greater Houston Turn to Us:
- Over 30 years of experience handling custody, divorce, and complex family law matters
- Trusted by thousands of individuals and families throughout Texas
- Texas Board Certified Family Law attorney on our team, a distinction reflecting advanced knowledge and dedication in this field
- Known for clear communication and strong courtroom advocacy
- Virtual consultations available for added convenience
- Payment plans offered to help accommodate different financial circumstances
We serve parents and families in Houston, Fort Bend County, Harris County, and nearby communities. To schedule a confidential consultation witrh our Houston child custody lawyers, call (832) 864-5524 or contact us online today.
How Child Custody Works in Texas
In Texas, custody is legally called conservatorship, outlining each parent's rights and responsibilities in raising their child. Courts across Greater Houston focus on what serves the child's best interests, balancing stability, safety, and meaningful relationships with both parents whenever possible.
Judges in the Houston area commonly review factors such as each parent’s history of caregiving, the child’s emotional and physical needs, the ability of each parent to provide a safe home, and any history of family violence or substance abuse. They may also consider the child’s preferences, especially for older children, along with practical issues like the distance between the parents’ homes, school location, and the parents’ ability to work together on important decisions. Because no two families present the same facts, courts have significant discretion in tailoring conservatorship and parenting time to the circumstances.
At Bastine Law Group, we take time to understand your family's unique circumstances. Our team provides steady guidance to help you navigate custody decisions, modifications, or disputes while protecting your role as a parent.
Common Reasons Parents Seek Custody Representation
- Divorce or legal separation
- Paternity actions for unmarried parents
- Modifications to custody or visitation orders
- Relocation impacting parenting time
- Allegations of neglect, abuse, or instability
- Disputes over education, healthcare, or major decisions
Custody cases are often emotionally charged. We approach these matters with compassion, helping parents protect their rights while focusing on their child’s long-term stability.
Parents in the Houston region also come to us when they need help enforcing an existing order that is not being followed, or when one parent is concerned about out-of-state moves that could affect school attendance and access to medical care. We regularly guide clients through negotiating detailed parenting plans that address holidays, transportation responsibilities, right of first refusal, and communication guidelines, so expectations are clear on both sides. By carefully documenting concerns and goals at the outset, we are able to present a well-organized picture to mediators or the court and work toward arrangements that are workable for your day-to-day life in the long term.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
At Bastine Law Group, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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“Bastine Law Group is a top-tier, highly respected law firm. Attorney Robinson is knowledgeable, very easy to talk with and explained how my case would be executed in detail.”- Krystal H.
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“I had an exceptional experience with Bastine Law Group. From the very beginning, their team was highly professional, knowledgeable, and responsive.”- Ryan B.
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“I had an amazing experience with Bastine law group. They were extremely professional and went above and beyond with answering my questions and providing additional support.”- Tori F.
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“Exceptional legal guidance with a personal touch. I had an excellent experience with Bastine Law Group.”- Steve C.
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“I recently had the pleasure of processing documents for Kassy at The Bastine Law Group. It could not have been a better experience.”- Duane H.
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“Transparent and honest representation: Attorney Ronique Bastine Robinson is known for being honest, professional, and extremely knowledgeable.”- Jacquie H.
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“They understand the discomfort and challenges of the legal process. Attorney Ronique Bastine Robinson and her team are here to provide empathetic support.”- Tracy M.
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“Their legal team, led by Board-Certified Attorney Ronique Bastine Robinson, is renowned for her extensive knowledge and expertise in family law.”- Rosie T.
Types of Conservatorships
Joint Managing Conservatorship (JMC)
The most common arrangement, where both parents share decision-making rights. One parent is typically named the primary custodial parent, while the other has structured visitation.
In many Houston-area cases, a joint managing conservatorship still allows for parenting time that reflects each parent’s work schedule, commuting demands, and the child’s school calendar. Courts often look for parenting plans that minimize disruption to the child’s routine while allowing both parents meaningful involvement in day-to-day activities, such as homework, extracurriculars, and medical appointments. A child custody lawyer in Houston can help you understand what a “standard” schedule might look like in your county and whether creative alternatives could better support your child.
Sole Managing Conservatorship
If the court determines one parent cannot provide a stable or safe environment, sole conservatorship may be awarded to the other. This includes decisions about the child's residence, education, medical care, and more.
Sole managing conservatorship is less common and typically arises when there are serious concerns, such as a history of abuse, unmanaged mental health issues, or persistent substance misuse. In these situations, the court may limit or supervise the other parent’s access, or require conditions like counseling before additional time is considered. Our team helps parents gather records, witness statements, and other documentation so the judge has a complete picture of the child’s safety needs and the efforts a responsible parent has made to provide a secure environment.
Possessory Conservatorship
A possessory conservator usually has visitation rights and access to important information regarding the child but does not share decision-making authority.
Even when decision-making is limited, the specific terms of possession and access can vary widely. Parenting time may follow a standard schedule, be customized for shift work, or be supervised in some circumstances. Medical and school providers in the Houston area often look to the exact wording of the court order when deciding what information they can share, so it is important that your order is clear and up to date. We work with parents to review existing decrees, identify gaps or confusing language, and pursue modifications when a change in conservatorship or possession would better reflect the child’s current needs.
Custody arrangements can be complex, especially when concerns about safety, relocation, or disagreements arise. Our team works alongside parents to help them approach these sensitive matters with preparation and clarity.
Call (832) 864-5524 or send us a message online to schedule your consultation witrh an experienced Houston child custody lawyer.
If our team has provided the support and guidance you needed, we’d be honored if you shared your experience. Your 5-star review helps others feel confident turning to Bastine Law Group for legal representation they can count on. Thank you for trusting us.
Serving Families Across Greater Houston
We work with families throughout Houston, Fort Bend County, Harris County, and surrounding areas, including Sugar Land, Missouri City, Katy, and Richmond.
With thousands of family law cases handled, Bastine Law Group is known for steady representation backed by preparation, real-world perspective, and courtroom experience.
Our familiarity with local courts and procedures benefits parents at every stage of a custody case. We routinely appear in Harris County and Fort Bend County family courts, and we understand how local standing orders, docket practices, and mediation requirements can influence the timing and structure of your case. Because we regularly work with local custody evaluators, mediators, and guardians ad litem, we can explain what to expect if any of these professionals become involved and help you prepare thoroughly for meetings, home visits, or interviews.
For many families, it is also important to work with a legal team that understands the diverse communities across Greater Houston. We are accustomed to addressing issues such as long commutes, nontraditional work hours, and extended family involvement that may be especially common in this region. By taking these realities into account when crafting proposals and presenting them to the court, we help parents pursue parenting plans that are both legally sound and workable in everyday life.
How Houston Courts Approach Custody Disputes
When a custody dispute cannot be resolved by agreement, judges in Harris County and Fort Bend County family courts follow Texas law while weighing the specific facts of each family. The process may include temporary orders hearings, mediation, and, in some cases, a trial where both parents present testimony and evidence. Understanding how these stages unfold allows you to prepare emotionally and practically, rather than feeling caught off guard by each new development.
Courts in the Houston area often require parents to attend mediation before a final hearing, giving both sides a structured opportunity to negotiate conservatorship, possession schedules, and decision-making authority. In some matters, a custody evaluation, amicus attorney, or guardian ad litem may be appointed to provide the court with additional information about the child’s circumstances. We help you understand the role of each professional, organize documents such as school records or medical reports, and present your perspective in a clear, respectful way.
A custody attorney Houston parents trust can also help set realistic expectations about timelines and potential outcomes based on local court practices. While the law is the same statewide, each judge may have preferences regarding parenting plan formats, communication tools between parents, or how school-year schedules are structured. By drawing on our experience in Houston-area courtrooms, we guide you in tailoring your proposals to address both your child’s needs and the way your particular court tends to approach these disputes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does a Child Custody Case Usually Take?
The length of a custody case depends on how many issues are contested and whether parents are able to reach an agreement. Some matters settle at or shortly after mediation, while others require multiple hearings and a trial, which can extend the process for many months. Local court schedules in Harris County and Fort Bend County also affect timing, so it is helpful to discuss likely timeframes at the beginning of your case.
Can a Custody Order Be Changed Later?
Yes, a custody order can be modified if there has been a substantial change in circumstances or if the current order is no longer workable. Changes such as a new work schedule, relocation, or evolving needs of the child may justify asking the court to review the arrangement. It is important to continue following the existing order until a new one is entered, unless a judge gives different instructions.
Do Children Have a Say in Where They Live?
In Texas, a child’s preferences can be one of many factors a judge considers, particularly for older children. The court may choose to speak privately with the child in chambers, but the child does not make the final decision. Judges consider the child’s wishes alongside safety, stability, and each parent’s past involvement in care.
Talk to a Child Custody Attorney in Houston Today
Whether you are facing a new custody dispute, modifying an existing arrangement, or protecting your parental rights, our team is here to help.
Call (832) 864-5524 or send us a message online to schedule your consultation witrh an experienced Houston child custody lawyer.
