Child possession laws are no joke. Many aspects of a custody
agreement are binding, unless you or your ex can come up with
substantial proof that a change needs to happen. Judges work to
protect the child, above the parents.
1. Know your terms
The legal profession has
its own vocabulary. The same is true for child possession laws.
Understand that you make changes by submitting a Petition. Anyone
involved in the current order can file a petition, which makes that
person the Petitioner. The others involved in the case are called
Respondents. There are many other terms to know, to, so ask your
attorney if you have questions about what something means.
2. File with your
original orders
If you believe changes
need to be made, the first step is to file your Petition at the same
office that filed your original agreement. If your children have
moved since that time, ask the clerk how to move the case to their
new county.
3. If you all get
along
In some cases, parents
have already made a mutual decision to deviate from the original
order. If the situation is working out for everyone, but you want to
make it legal, then let the judge know how long the new situation has
been in effect, and how it has helped the child.
4. Everyone gets
involved
When a Petition is filed,
child possession laws dictate that all parties that will be affected
have to participate in some way. Those that were in the original
Decree and those that are mentioned in the newly proposed one all
have to either wave their rights or become involved.
5. If everyone doesn't
get along
In any case, the child
possession laws are based around what is in the best interest of the
child. If the changes being asked for are better for the child, and
if the circumstances of the original Decree are substantially
changed, then the judge will consider a modification.
If you would like to
learn more about child possession laws in Houston, Texas, click here!
