Texas Lawyer Advocating For Your Child Custody Goals

If you have children and are involved in a divorce or paternity dispute, you likely have a lot of questions about how the situation will impact your children. Who will get the kids? If you don't get the kids, how often will you be able to see them? What if the other parent marries someone who is a bad influence?

At the Law Offices of Raul A. Guajardo in McAllen, we understand how important your children are to you, and we will work hard to explain your options and protect your rights in any child custody matter. Contact us or call (866) 687-9672 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your concerns with family law attorney Raul A. Guajardo.

Asserting Your Right to a Relationship With Your Child

While child custody cases are most commonly associated with divorce, a number of situations can lead to legal oversight of child custody. Unmarried parents have a right to seek child custody, and when the underlying circumstances of an existing child custody settlement change, modification is possible.

In all child custody matters, Texas courts prioritize the best interests of the child. Generally, it is considered to be in the best interests of the child for both parents to be involved in that child's life through either joint custody or visitation.

Exceptions to the general rule occur when a parent — or the parent's new spouse or partner — has a history of physical abuse, a problem with drugs or alcohol, or another issue that would potentially harm the child.

Because child custody orders are open to modification, a parent who is denied child custody for one of these reasons may be able to get some custody or visitation rights if he or she can demonstrate that the problem has been cleared up.

Guiding You Through Mandatory Mediation

Texas courts also generally consider it in the child's best interests to avoid court fights over custody. For that reason, most child custody disputes are referred to mediation before trial. Raul A. Guajardo will explain how the mediation process works and what your rights are during that process.

If you have a dispute or any other concern with your child's other parent over child custody, don't hesitate to contact us or call (866) 687-9672 at the Law Offices of Raul A. Guajardo.

McAllen, Texas, Area Divorce Lawyer

Facing the breakup of a marriage is difficult for most people. The decision to get a divorce is one of the hardest steps many of us have to take in life. Under the stress and challenges of such a difficult time, it can be important to contact a divorce lawyer who will take an objective stance and help protect your rights.

After learning about your overall family situation and current goals, including your perspective on the divorce and what you hope to achieve in a settlement, Mr. Guajardo will explain any options and choices you may have under Texas law. Our office has the experience and resources to guide you through the process of obtaining either an uncontested or contested divorce.

Uncontested Divorce — Contested Divorce — Child Custody and Support Issues

Uncontested divorce is the most efficient and affordable option for divorcing couples who can truly agree on important issues with minimal help from attorneys. An uncontested divorce enables you — rather than a judge — to decide on issues including:

• Who will have custody of children, what the other parent's levels of involvement and parenting time will be and what the amount of child support will be
• How you will divide all debts and property — including a home, vehicles and other marital assets
• Whether either party will pay spousal support to the other

Our law office has handled the drafting of documents, legal filings and other aspects of uncontested divorce for many couples who were able to agree on these issues. In other cases, the parties cannot agree on issues such as property division, departures from state child support guidelines or whether "alimony", or spousal support, should be paid. We can help you understand and defend your rights throughout a contested divorce or other family law dispute.

An Attorney Who Will Represent Your Interests in Court

Bilingual, well-educated attorney Raul A. Guajardo can help you get through a contested divorce with the best possible settlement for you. This enables you to move on in life with fewer regrets, because you know you considered your options and made conscious decisions on the family and financial issues you had to face. Please call us at (866) 687-9672 or contact our office today to discuss your legal needs.