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Factors that affect child custody in Texas

On Behalf of | Nov 1, 2015 | Fathers' Rights |

When it comes to child custody in Texas, there are two options: joint managing conservatorships and sole managing conservatorships. These different options are essentially joint custody and sole custody, but some parents, particularly fathers, may be concerned by the idea of a sole managing conservatorship. In such an arrangement, one parent has the final say on nearly every aspect of a child’s life, including where the child lives, what medical treatment they receive, education and more.

The reason that fathers might be particularly concerned with the idea is because mothers have been granted sole custody far more often than fathers. There are many different reasons for this, but some people have begun to assume that there is a gender bias when it comes to child custody arrangements. Many fathers are concerned that their rights are being infringed upon, as courts blatantly allow mothers more lenience when issues of custody arise.

Fathers can take comfort in the knowledge that many studies have recently shown the importance of having both parents in a child’s life, which has led courts to grant joint custody more often. In fact, the factors that affect whether or not one parent is given sole managing conservatorship in Texas are quite readily available, and none of them have to do with the gender of the parent.

Rather than gender issues, courts are instead concerned about whether a parent has a history of violence or substance abuse that might affect that parent’s ability to raise and care for a child. If you are going through a custody battle in Texas, and you are afraid that being the father will hurt your chances at custody, consider meeting with an attorney. Legal assistance can help you prove that you are a fit parent, well capable of providing your child with the care they need.

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