It is common for many people to think that a father is at a disadvantage when it comes to child custody and parenting time disputes in family law court. For many years there was a presumption – oftentimes thought, not said – that a mother is in a better position to be the caretaker for a child than a father is. Fortunately, for the most part, those days are long gone. Now, most family law courts recognize the benefits for a child when both parents play a role in the child’s life.
In short, that means that a father’s rights in a child custody or parenting time dispute are just the same as a mother’s rights. However, sometimes it may not seem that way in the real world. Each household is different, and these disputes can just as easily involve couples who were never married as they can couples who are going through a divorce. Either way, there could be more pitfalls for fathers than we’d all like to think.
Your time in family law court
Whether you are a mother or father who is involved in a family law dispute likely will not matter as much as the facts of your own unique case. Any parent who cannot reach an agreement with the other on child custody and parenting time should be prepared to present a sound and persuasive case. Although ongoing out-of-court negotiations between the parties is common, the fact remains that if you find yourself in front of a judge in family law court that may be your only shot to make a convincing argument.
At our law firm, we work with parents in Texas – especially fathers – who are going through child custody and parenting time disputes. To learn more about how we might be able to help with your family law issues, please visit the child custody and parenting time overview section of our law firm’s website.