Experienced family lawyers with over 43 years of experience.
If you’re facing a custody dispute in Georgetown, the decisions you make in the next few months will shape your child’s daily life for years. Working with an experienced Georgetown, TX child custody lawyer means having someone who understands the law and what is at stake at home. Our firm represents mothers, fathers, and qualifying nonparents in conservatorship and possession matters across Central Texas. Gray Becker, P.C. has spent 43 years guiding parents through these issues. Reach out to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help.
Child Custody Lawyer Georgetown, TX
In Texas, what most people call child custody is actually two related concepts. Conservatorship covers decision-making authority over education, medical care, and where the child lives. Possession and access covers when each parent physically has the child. A Georgetown child custody attorney can walk you through which one applies to your situation.
Texas courts generally start with a presumption favoring joint managing conservatorship, but specific terms differ from case to case. Some parents share decision-making fully. Others have one parent making major calls while the other holds possession rights. Every final order is built around what the court considers the best interest of the child.
Types of Child Custody Cases We Handle in Georgetown
Custody questions come in many forms. Some parents are starting their first case after a separation, while others need to revisit an order years later because life or work circumstances changed. Our Georgetown child custody lawyers handle the full range of conservatorship and possession matters that come up for Williamson County families.
- Conservatorship disputes. We represent parents seeking either joint managing or sole managing conservatorship. The decision affects school choices, medical decisions, and where the child lives during the week and on weekends.
- Possession and access schedules. Texas has a standard possession order and an expanded standard possession order, but many families need something different. We build schedules that fit work obligations, school calendars, and the distance between households.
- Custody modifications. When common custody problems develop after the original order, the court can revisit terms. Job changes, relocation requests, and shifts in the child’s needs are typical reasons families come back.
- Enforcement actions. If the other parent refuses to follow the order, you have legal options. We file enforcement motions and pursue contempt findings when a co-parent ignores orders outright.
- Custody for unmarried parents. Establishing paternity opens the door to custody and possession rights. We handle these cases from start to finish, including DNA testing requirements when paternity is contested.
- Relocation disputes. A move that affects the child’s residence often triggers court involvement. Whether you’re the parent wanting to relocate or the parent opposing the move, the geographic restriction issue needs careful handling.
- High-conflict custody litigation. Some cases require trial. When negotiation breaks down or one parent acts in bad faith, we prepare to present the case in front of a judge.
- Third-party rights. Grandparents and other relatives sometimes have standing to seek possession or access. Texas law sets specific requirements that must be met before a non-parent can be granted rights.
- Child support. Custody arrangements affect support calculations, and changes in one can trigger changes in the other. We handle support questions alongside custody matters for Georgetown families.
Why Choose Gray Becker, P.C. for Child Custody in Georgetown, TX?
Decades of Family Law Practice in Texas
Our founding member, Richard E. Gray III, has practiced law in Texas since 1976. He represents individuals in complex litigation and family law matters, including conservatorship, child support, property division, and modifications. Richard has been named to Best Lawyers in Family Law every year from 2013 through 2025, and he was recognized as a Super Lawyer in business litigation from 2003 through 2023. He earned his B.A. cum laude from Washington and Lee University and his J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Texas School of Law. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Our family law practice covers everything from agreed parenting plans to contested conservatorship trials. The firm has handled custody matters across Williamson, Travis, and surrounding counties for decades.
Honest, Direct Communication
Custody cases depend on facts and timelines, not promises. We tell you what we think will happen, why we think so, and what your options look like at each stage. Some matters resolve through mediation or agreed orders. Others go to trial. We’ll prepare for both from day one, so the path forward belongs to you rather than to a court calendar. That approach matters most when emotions are high and small decisions carry significant weight.
Understanding Child Custody Cases
Types of Conservatorship and Best Interest Factors in Texas
Texas Family Code uses “conservatorship” rather than “custody,” and the labels matter because they describe specific rights in your final order. Two main types exist:
- Joint managing conservatorship (JMC). Both parents share rights and duties, though one parent typically has the exclusive right to determine the child’s primary residence.
- Sole managing conservatorship (SMC). One parent holds most rights and duties. The other usually has possession and access as a possessory conservator.
Possession schedules follow either the standard possession order, the expanded standard possession order, or a custom arrangement built around the family’s circumstances.
Courts evaluate every term against the best interest of the child. Common factors judges weigh include:
- The child’s emotional and physical needs now and in the future
- Any history of family violence, neglect, or substance abuse
- Stability of each parent’s home environment
- The child’s preference, when age and maturity make it appropriate
- Each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent
- The child’s connection with siblings and extended family
Children twelve or older can express a preference in the court’s analysis, though that preference does not control the outcome.
What Are Important Aspects of a Child Custody Case?
Custody cases turn on documentation and credibility. The information you bring to your attorney and how you present it during the temporary orders hearing often shapes the rest of the case.
- Detailed parenting history covering school pickups, doctor visits, and daily routines
- Communication records with the other parent, including texts and emails
- School, medical, and counseling records that reflect each parent’s involvement
- Outside witnesses who can speak to your parenting from beyond the household
- Whether a standing order is already in place through the local district court
Gathering evidence early tends to make every later step easier. Specific, dated examples carry more weight than general descriptions of what kind of parent you are. Strong preparation also shortens the back-and-forth at temporary orders, which can save time and legal fees later in the case.
What Is the Child Custody Case Timeline?
Timelines vary widely. An agreed case can close in a few months. A contested case involving discovery and trial may take a year or more. Out-of-state factors, custody evaluations, and busy court dockets can extend any of these stages.
A typical sequence looks like this:
- Filing and service of the original petition or motion to modify
- Temporary orders hearing, often within 30 to 60 days of filing
- Discovery, including document exchanges and depositions if needed
- Mediation, which is required in most Texas family law cases before trial
- Final hearing or trial if mediation does not resolve the matter
Some cases move faster when both parents cooperate. Others stall when one parent refuses to engage with the process or with court deadlines.
What Should You Bring to Your Child Custody Consultation?
Documents help us evaluate your case quickly. Bring whatever you have available:
- Any existing court orders, including divorce decrees and prior custody or support orders
- A short timeline of the events that prompted the case
- Communication records with the other parent from the past several months
- School, medical, and counseling records for the child
- A written list of questions you want answered
Expect the first meeting to cover your goals, the realistic outcomes given the facts, and what next steps will look like. We’ll explain fees and case strategy before you decide whether to move forward with our firm.
What Are Important Texas Legal Resources for Child Custody Cases?
Texas offers a number of public resources for parents navigating custody matters. The Texas Family Code is the primary statute governing conservatorship, possession, and child support, and several state and county sites make it easier to find current law and procedural information. Reading them before your first attorney meeting can help you come in with specific questions about your situation.
- The Texas Family Code on the Texas Legislature’s website provides the full text of conservatorship statutes.
- The Texas Judicial Branch site offers court forms, rules, and procedural guides for self-represented litigants.
- The Texas Attorney General Child Support Division administers child support orders statewide.
- TexasLawHelp.org provides plain-language guides for families dealing with conservatorship and visitation.
- Williamson County handles family law filings for Georgetown-area cases through its district clerk.
These sites are starting points, not substitutes for legal advice. Statutes and local court rules change over time, and how they apply turns on the specific facts of your case.
Reach Out to Gray Becker, P.C. to Schedule a Consultation
Custody decisions affect your child for years. We help Georgetown parents understand their options and plan the next move with clear information about timelines, costs, and realistic outcomes. Contact us to schedule a consultation. We’ll review your situation, answer your questions, and explain how our firm approaches cases like yours. Whether your matter is straightforward or contested, we’ll give you a clear picture of what to expect.