Child Custody Lawyer Austin, TX
If you are facing a custody dispute in Austin, then chances are you need support. You’re probably dealing with uncertainty about where your child will live, how much time you’ll have with them, and whether the other parent will cooperate, or fight everything. We know that is a difficult burden to carry.
Our Austin, TX child custody lawyer at Gray Becker, P.C. has been handling Texas family law matters since 1981. We represent parents, grandparents, and other parties seeking conservatorship or possession rights in Travis County and throughout Central Texas. If your situation is straightforward or deeply contested, we’re prepared either way. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
Why Choose Gray Becker, P.C. for Child Custody in Austin, Texas?
Deep Roots in Austin Family Law
Richard E. Gray III, founding member of Gray Becker, P.C., has been practicing law in Texas since 1976. He earned his undergraduate degree cum laude from Washington and Lee University and his J.D. magna cum laude from The University of Texas School of Law. His practice covers the full range of family law, including custody litigation, conservatorship disputes, and parenting plan negotiations. Richard E. Gray III has been recognized as a Best Lawyer in Family Law every year from 2013 through 2025, and as a Super Lawyer in multiple categories spanning two decades. As a family lawyer in Austin, TX, our firm handles the full spectrum of custody situations, from initial conservatorship orders to high-conflict modifications.
Results for Clients and Families
We’ve helped Austin families with family law matters and secured outcomes that protected their children’s wellbeing. Our attorneys litigate when it’s necessary and negotiate when it serves your interests better. We don’t push unnecessary conflict, but we don’t back down when the situation calls for a dispute.
Recognized Standing in the Legal Community
Our attorneys hold memberships and recognitions that reflect a sustained record of professional achievement. Nathan Kennedy holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, one of the most respected peer-review ratings in the legal profession. Patricia J. Dixon is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — certified in 2013 and recertified in 2018 and 2023 — and has been named to Texas Super Lawyers consistently since 2015. She is also a lifetime member of the Texas Family Law Foundation and serves on the Board of the Austin Bar Association Family Law Section.
Child-Centered, Practical Representation
Custody disputes are not just legal problems, they are challenges in the family dynamic. Our attorneys approach these cases with that in mind, working to minimize unnecessary damage while making sure your rights as a parent are protected. Settlement often produces better long-term outcomes for children than prolonged litigation. But when the other side isn’t acting in good faith, we are fully prepared for the courtroom.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I worked with Gray Becker on a personal law matter in the fall of 2024. The process involved a lot of sensitivity, and while it was a difficult situation, my attorney (Richard Gray IV) and his team made me feel at ease every step of the way. They were always professional, responsive, and efficient. Richard took the time to answer my questions, made sure I felt comfortable, and treated the sensitive matter with care and understanding. I truly appreciated their support and would highly recommend this firm and team to anyone in need of family law services.” — Kelsey Alton
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Child Custody Cases We Handle in Austin
Texas custody law uses the term “conservatorship” rather than custody, but the issues are the same: who makes decisions for the child, and where does the child live. We handle the full range of situations that come up in child custody cases in Travis County and surrounding areas.
- Conservatorships. Texas courts typically award joint managing conservatorship, giving both parents decision-making rights. We help clients understand what that means in practice and fight for terms that work for your child and your schedule. When sole managing conservatorship is appropriate, we build that case thoroughly.
- Parenting Plans and Visitation. A court-approved parenting plan governs day-to-day schedules, holidays, and school decisions. We’ve seen what vague or poorly drafted plans cause, including visitation disputes that drag back into court for years. We draft orders with enough specificity to hold up.
- High-Conflict Litigation. Some custody cases can’t be resolved by agreement. When the other party is making false accusations, withholding access, or putting the child in the middle, litigation is the only path. Our attorneys have tried hundreds of cases in Texas courts and are not intimidated by difficult opposition.
- Modification and Enforcement. Circumstances change. Job relocations, remarriages, substance abuse issues, and a child’s changing preferences can all be grounds to revisit an existing order. We handle custody modifications and enforcement actions when the other parent isn’t complying.
- Relocation Disputes. If your co-parent wants to move your child out of the Austin or Texas area, that often requires court approval. These cases move quickly and the stakes are high. We’ve handled relocation matters from both sides. There’s important context in how Texas courts handle these disputes.
- Unmarried Parent Rights and Third-Party Rights. Custody isn’t only for married parents going through divorce. Unmarried fathers often need to establish paternity and parental rights formally. Grandparents and other relatives sometimes have standing to seek access as well. We handle these matters regularly.
Texas Legal Requirements for Child Custody
Texas family courts operate under the Texas Family Code, which governs conservatorship, possession, and access to children. Several provisions matter most when you’re navigating a custody matter in Austin.
Under Texas Family Code § 153.002, the court’s primary consideration in any conservatorship proceeding is the best interest of the child. This standard drives nearly every decision a judge makes, from temporary orders to final decrees.
Texas courts presume that joint managing conservatorship, where both parents share decision-making rights, is in the child’s best interest. That’s codified in Texas Family Code § 153.131. This does not automatically mean equal possession time. The standard possession order outlined in § 153.252 provides a default schedule, but it can be modified by agreement or court order based on the child’s needs.
Under Texas Family Code § 153.009, a child who is 12 or older may express a preference to the judge, but that preference is one factor among many, not controlling. We can help you understand how Texas courts handle children’s preferences, if it’s relevant to your situation.
Modification of an existing order requires showing a material and substantial change in circumstances since the prior order was entered. Courts take that threshold seriously. It’s not sufficient that one parent is unhappy with the arrangement.
Austin Child Custody Infographic
Important Aspects of an Austin Child Custody Case
Parental Alienation
This is one of the most damaging things that can happen in a custody dispute. When one parent systematically undermines the child’s relationship with the other through disparaging comments, false allegations, or blocking contact, the courts take it seriously. Documentation matters enormously in these cases. We empathize with how deeply parental alienation can make matters more difficult, and can help you recognize when it is happening.
Gathering and Preserving Evidence
What you document now will determine what you can prove later. Text messages, emails, school records, and witness statements all become relevant. If your co-parent is ignoring custody orders or denying access, keep a detailed log with dates and specifics. We can work to gather evidence that supports parents who are going through this process.
The Standard Possession Order and Deviations
Most child custody cases in Austin resolve with a Standard Possession Order, but that’s a starting point, not a final answer. Parents with young children, parents who travel for work, or parents with special circumstances often need a customized order. Getting those terms right at the outset prevents years of conflict.
When the Other Parent Doesn’t Follow the Order
Courts issue orders. Not every co-parent follows them. If your ex is refusing visitation, ignoring custody orders, or repeatedly violating the parenting plan, enforcement options include contempt of court, modification of the order, and in serious cases, a change in primary conservatorship. This is an area where having an attorney who moves quickly matters.
Co-Parenting After the Case Closes
The legal process ends, but the co-parenting relationship continues. How you handle communication, scheduling conflicts, and disagreements after a court order is in place affects your child’s stability. Courts notice which parent facilitates the relationship with the other. We can give you insight on how to co-parent with confidence, when it feels difficult to manage.
High-Conflict Cases and Protective Orders
Some custody matters involve domestic violence, substance abuse, or credible threats to a child’s safety. Texas courts can issue emergency temporary orders and temporary restraining orders in these situations. Our attorneys handle emergency protective relief and understand how to move fast when a child is at risk. The Travis County Standing Order also governs conduct during pending family law proceedings. We can discuss with you the Travis County standing order for what that covers.
Contact Gray Becker, P.C.
If you are dealing with a custody dispute in Austin, TX, don’t wait to get counsel involved. Early legal guidance can prevent mistakes that are difficult to undo. Our attorneys handle parenting plans, conservatorship litigation, modifications, enforcement actions, and relocation disputes for families throughout Travis County.
Gray Becker, P.C. offers consultations for custody matters. Contact our office to speak with an Austin child custody attorney about your situation. We respond promptly and will give you an honest assessment of where things stand. Please contact us now so we can be of immediate support and guidance!