Child Custody Attorney In San Antonio & Parenting Plans

Arthur G. Augustine, Board Certified Child Custody Attorney - Texas Board of Legal Specialization 

San Antonio, Texas – Child Custody Lawyers

Any time a divorce proceeding involves children, it complicates matters. The relationship you develop with your former partner can greatly impact the development and mental health of your children.

At the Law Office of Arthur G. Augustine, the needs of the children are of primary importance. My goal is to create a win-win situation for parents so they can sustain a lifestyle where their children thrive. I put my creative talents, experience and insight to use negotiating and developing child custody agreements and parenting schedules that work for families.

I have extensive experience handling complex divorce cases for couples with children, as well as helping parents with:

• Post-judgment modifications of child support services
• Child custody and visitation agreements
• Enforcing grandparent rights to visitation

Ideally, it is preferable to handle these matters as privately as possible. For that reason, the collaborative law process may be a preferred method to develop and initial custody and visitation agreement or to negotiate a change in parenting plan.

I realize, however, that people cannot always reach an amicable resolution to child custody and visitation issues. In such cases, I stand ready to aggressively and zealously pursue their position in court.

If you were able to look into the lives of every divorced couple with children, you would in all likelihood discover that everyone has at one time or another experienced child visitation issues. Having these types of problems is at the very least uncomfortable for most and painful for many. Since our children are so precious to us, it is necessary that we learn how to handle these fragile situations with tact and diplomacy.

There are four aspects of my practice that make me unique, and a superior choice over my competitors:

1.My Focus on Family Law

San Antonio family law is a constantly evolving entity, so rather than try to be all things to all people, I focus primarily on San Antonio divorce and child custody. In this highly focused practice area, I have developed a level of expertise and efficiency that is simply more difficult for general practitioners or even the large full service firms to match.

2.Focus on Children

Divorce and Child Custody cases can be especially challenging for children who are experiencing the break up of a family unit. I am a dedicated and passionate family law attorney who will work with you to keep your children safe and create a parenting plan that is in their best interests.

3.Communication

I survey all new clients to determine how I can improve my service. One of the things mentioned most often by new clients is how much they appreciate the consistent communication from me, paralegals, and administrative staff. As a valued client, my office will strive to communicate with you and keep you updated about the developments of your case.

I am committed to the idea that clients should be as informed as possible about their legal rights. I am Board Certified in family Law and have been assisting clients with their legal rights for many years.
 

4.Cost Control

Although my rates are similar to other firms, I am generally less expensive than my competitors for 3 important reasons:

1.Aggressive attorneys and angry spouses can escalate situations that will dramatically increase legal fees, but I emplos techniques and processes to help diffuse these situations. I will strategize with you in order to achieve an expedient and satisfactory settlement to save you time, money, and aggravation.

2.Focusing primarily on family law makes me more efficient.

3.Using the latest technology allows me to work quickly and efficiently, which means saving you time and money.

Child Custody Issues

Each year there are approximately 15 million children in the United States alone who experience the end of the family as they had known when their parents divorce. During that experience, due to a great deal of emotional upheaval, parents sometimes behave poorly. Their motivation can stem from wanting full custody, better visitation rights, lower child support payments and a host of other things that impact on children. As parents start to move forward with the divorce, they should remember that children have little say in the matter of divorce therefore, it is important that parents implement the very best parenting skills they possess.

Children Experience a Great Loss During Divorce

When it comes to the dissolution of marriage, even though the parents want out of the marriage, it’s usually the children who experience the greatest loss. The stability they had known is changing and they don’t know what to expect. And because the parents are so caught up in their own pain, they don’t always realize that to a child it feels like they are losing everything. It is in fact a very frightening time for a child and requires great sensitivity to their needs. As parents, it is up to us to help our children make sense out of what’s going on in their lives so that they are not left feeling angry and frightened or left with a sense of distrust towards others.

How Divorce Attorneys Can Help

While divorce attorneys are there to make sure that the parent’s rights are protected, it’s also important for a divorce lawyer to consider children in the divorce process. Being caught up in a legal system that fights for custody and child support, a great deal of hostility can arise between divorcing parents, but a family law attorney can help to peacefully work out the issues about visitation and child support. Children did not ask for the divorce and therefore they have a right to a healthy, positive relationship with both parents. Instead of ignoring a child’s feelings as parents make final decisions, they should be listening to the clues coming from the children. A family law lawyer will help parents put the child’s best interests foremost in the divorce process.

What a Child Deserves After Divorce

When giving thought to what a child deserves after divorce, at the very top of the list is the reassurance that they will have a loving, lasting relationship with both parents. Most of the time children feel guilty and blame themselves for the parent’s divorce. Therefore, it is equally important to make sure they are freed from any sense of responsibility, blame or guilt about the divorce. Above all, there should be no competing between parents for a child’s love. No matter how the parents feel about each other, the child loves both parents and they should feel that they are a priority in both their parent’s lives. They also should be told the truth about the situation. Even though we think they don’t necessarily understand, children have a sense about things and know more than we realize. While it isn’t necessary to give every bitter detail, is it okay to explain what’s going on with the divorce and the divorce agreement. Children also should be allowed to have a voice in their visitation schedules. In addition, sometimes it’s easier for a child to speak to someone besides their parents about what’s going on in their lives, so every child deserves to speak with a friend or family member without interference from the parents.

The upbringing of children regardless of a divorce is always an important consideration for most parents, yet rarely does anything cause as much contention as child custody cases. Custody of minor children (under 18 years of age) often presents major issues. Prior to the couple deciding to end their marriage, the parents shared full custody of their minor children. After the divorce, custody of the minor children has to be divided between the spouses. That division could result in anything from 60/40 time-sharing to a 50/50 time-sharing, to only weekends and summer vacations. If the parties agree to an appropriate arrangement, there isn’t a problem. But if the couple cannot agree, the court will order a shared arrangement that is appropriate for the children. If you want to learn more about child custody, contact me and let me provide you with the right answers relative to child custody.

How is Custody Determined?

While many couples are happy to be ending their marriages, they are not happy about losing the every-day enjoyment of their children. For that reason, couples getting a divorce are more concerned about custody and visitation activities than any other aspect of the divorce. If the parent’s work together when coming to terms regarding visitation and custody, a court generally honors the custody agreements they choose. However, if custody is disputed, a court will require parents to attend mediation sessions. If divorce mediation fails, the court will determine child custody arrangements. While rules vary from state to state, the court always has the child’s best interest at the top of any arrangement. To determine what is best for a child, the court will address physical custody, day-to-day care, legal custody, and legal rights regarding a child’s upbringing. Today, courts favor shared child-rearing responsibilities, but they also take into account where it is most practical for the child to live and where a child will flourish. I can answer all your questions about custody. Contact me today to learn more about how custody is determined.

Coming to Terms With Visitation Rights

If couples have problems coming to terms with visitation rights, the court will intervene. Generally, visitation schedules allow the non-custodial parent visitation one night a week, every other weekend, some portion of school nights and summer holidays. The only way a parent can change court ordered custody is if they show an important adjustment to their circumstances. In some state laws, the only way a court will even consider modifying custody is if there is an indication that a child is in danger. And because some parents try to get rulings changed by living in different states, some states will only look at custody amendments if the child has lived in the state for at least six months or longer. If you’re eager to come to terms with child custody issues, contact me for a free consultation. 

Residential Versus Non-Custodial Parent

Sometimes a child simply doesn’t want to visit the non-residential parent, which puts the custodial parent in a very precarious situation. Because the nonresidential parent isn’t around every day, they may feel disgruntled or hurt thinking the custodial parent is trying to pull the child away. At other times plans and schedules change for the residential parent and they’re in a bind regarding visitation. How do we adjust to these situations? Do we force our child to visit regardless of how they feel? Do we ask our ex-partners if they are willing to make other arrangements? How are issues surrounding child visitation handled appropriately? Before making any decisions about these dilemmas, it’s best to speak with me so that problems are handled effectively.

Visitation is a Law

Simply stated, visitation is a state law and the child cannot decide if he or she is going to visit. They just have to go. Naturally, there are going to be times when kids resist visitation, but you cannot let a child decide to skip a visit with the non-custodial parent. Why? Because keeping the connection between both parents is important to the health and relationship between parent and child. Of course if there is a real problem about visitation, it’s important to listen to the child and try to find out what’s wrong. But, if the problem stems from a conflict between parent and child, it’s always best for the child to work out their issues with the parent that is involved in the dilemma. No matter how hard it might be, parents should maintain a united front and insist that there is simply no option to visitation. To find out more about child visitation, contact me to find out how to handle child visitation situations.

Child Visitation Schedules

Child visitation can take on a variety of visitation schedules which may include alternate weekend visits with the non-custodial parent, three-day holidays, mid-week visitation, sharing of the child during periods of school recess, such as winter, spring and summer breaks, major holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, etc., Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, alternative years on the child’s birthday and open telephone contact with the parent who doesn’t have physical custody of the child. Sometimes there is even an exchange of visitation when it is mutually agreed upon and doesn’t require modification of the court order. If you’re eager to come to terms with child visitation issues, why not contact me and allow me to help.

Parental Abuse or Destructive Behavior

If a non-custodial parent has a history of violent or destructive behavior toward the child, the court often requires that visitation between the parent and child only occurs with supervision. Translated that means an adult or someone other than the custodial parent, must be present at all times during child visitation. The court that ordered the supervised child visitation must approve the adult chosen to supervise. To learn more about parental abuse and child visitation, contact me today. I’ll help you with any questions related to child visitation.

For more information, or to speak with a child custody attorney regarding your legal circumstances, contact Arthur G. Augustine directly at 210-316-9583 or the Law Office of Arthur G. Augustine at (210) 299-4777. Free Consultation

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