Your guide for what to bring to a child custody consultation
You can help your child custody lawyers help you by being fully transparent about your relationship with your child, their other parent, and the details of your life. Our Frisco family law attorneys explain what you should bring to your consultation and how to prepare beforehand to make the most out of your time.
Legal documents and court orders
Gather all legal documents pertaining to your matter. If you’ve recently filed for divorce or been served with papers, bring that; if you’re seeking a modification of an existing custody order, bring a copy of that, along with notes about why you want a change. Other relevant documents include a copy of your divorce decree, restraining orders, and any temporary orders issued by a judge.
If you’re just beginning the child custody case, and there’s no formal order yet, bring any informal agreements or written communications between you and the other parent that mention custody, visitation, or parental responsibilities. This could include emails or screenshots of text messages. If you use a co-parenting app, all communications should be saved, but you may need to give your new attorney access to the app.
Your list of questions
Make a list of questions beforehand so you don’t forget to ask about critical legal issues.
Here’s a cheat sheet of good questions:
- How does the court decide what’s in the child’s best interest?
- What are the pros and cons of joint conservatorship?
- How long do child custody cases typically take?
- What should I avoid doing while the case is pending?
Think about what you want the final child custody arrangement to look like. Are you pushing for sole conservatorship? It can be harder than you think to get sole conservatorship of your child; Texas favors consistent involvement from both parents. Jot down your “good, better, best” scenarios; your attorney can best help you when they know what you want.
Financial documents
Your finances and your child’s other parent’s finances are the basis on which child support is awarded. Your financial stability and income also influence a judge’s decision about whether you can properly care for your child. Even if you have modest means, your lawyer can make a good case showing that you can meet all your child’s needs.
Bring copies of:
- Recent pay stubs
- Tax returns (last 1-2 years)
- Bank statements
- Childcare expenses
- Health insurance records
- Mortgage or rent statements
And any other financially related documents, like investment dividends or money you get from side gigs.
Documentation of the other parent’s behavior
If your custody petition involves concerns about the other parent’s behavior, like missed visits or inappropriate communication, bring as much documentation as you can. This might include:
- Texts, emails, or voicemails
- Copies of calendars or visitation logs (indicate days where visitation time was missed or the other parent was late)
- Screenshots of problematic social media posts
- Police report, if applicable
Texas permits social media posts to be used as evidence in family law cases, as they may speak to a parent’s behavior, lifestyle, or ability to care for the child. If you’re concerned about substance abuse and its effect on your child, bring any supporting documentation of that, like photos of illicit substances or recordings of the other parent drunk or high. While these may not be admissible in court, your lawyer may be able to effect more cooperation from the other parent with evidence like this.
Information about your child’s daily life
What is your child’s routine? Who is most active in your child’s life? Your lawyer builds a picture of your involvement with your child with information about who takes your child to the doctor or dentist, who takes them to school and extracurricular activities, and a list of your general childcare-giving activities.
How our Frisco family law attorneys help you
A judge makes a determination about child custody based on more than just money. In Texas, family law judges decide child possession and access based on the child’s best interest. Your lawyer uses the evidence you provide and that secured during the discovery phase to make a strong argument stating that your preferred custody schedule is, indeed, in the best interests of your child.
For help getting the right custody and support arrangement for you and your child, please reach out to Albin Oldner Law at (214) 423-5100 for a confidential child custody consultation.
