Child Custody and Visitation Attorney

Austin Child Visitation Lawyer

If you and your spouse or partner are unable to agree upon a custody and visitation arrangement, the experienced trial lawyers at Piper & Turner, PLLC can help. We understand that anger caused by a divorce or separation, your strong desire to maintain a quality relationship with your child, and arguments about decision making and child support for the child can often result in disputes that are seemingly impossible to resolve. While it is our hope that every case can settle without contentious litigation, often parents are given little choice. Our ability to set emotions aside and put your child’s best interest at the forefront of the discussion has brought us success in helping clients achieve child custody and visitation arrangements that work for them and their families.

Under Texas law, custody is termed "conservatorship."Oftentimes, parents are named joint managing conservators of their children, meaning that they make most decisions together. Usually, one parent has the right to determine where the child lives and the right to receive child support, while the other parent is given a possession order and ordered to pay child support. Typically, but not always, a court order will contain a geographic restriction which limits the "primary" parent's residence with the child to a specific location, which could result in child relocation issues.

The attorneys at Piper & Turner, PLLC are well versed with Texas Supreme Court opinions outlining factors that guide a court in determining the best interests of a child. Such factors include, but are not limited to, A) the desires of the child; (B) the emotional and physical needs of the child now and in the future; (C) the emotional and physical danger to the child now and in the future; (D) the parental abilities of the individuals seeking custody; (E) the programs available to assist these individuals to promote the best interest of the child; (F) the plans for the child by these individuals or by the agency seeking custody; (G) the stability of the home or proposed placement; (H) the acts or omissions of the parent which may indicate that the existing parent-child relationship is not a proper one; and (I) any excuse for the acts or omissions of the parent. Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367, 372 (Tex. 1976). Additionally, limitation of conservatorships rights and/or visitation rights can result in situations involving family violence, drug and/or alcohol addiction or abuse.

Our experienced trial attorneys understand the factors that will sway a court in determining what is in your child's best interest. Attorney James W. Piper is a Board Certified family law attorney who has been serving families throughout Texas for more than 36 years. Mr. Piper has been named a Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine, is an AV rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, is listed in Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, is a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists and is widely considered one of the most well respected family law attorneys in Central Texas. Mr. Piper's partner, Travis L. Turner, also a Board Certified family law attorney, has been named a Rising Star by Texas Monthly Magazine and is a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists. Mr. Turner, with his extensive litigation and courtroom experience, has rapidly become known as one of the most prominent young family law attorneys in the Austin area. Both Mr. Piper and Mr. Turner, along with the attorneys of Piper & Turner, PLLC, form a unique and unmatched team of lawyers with the talent and experience needed to gain success for our clients both inside and outside of the courtroom.

Piper & Turner, PLLC will utilize the resources of the firm's experienced attorneys and staff, along with a vast network of experts and professionals, such as forensic psychologists, forensic psychiatrists, and educational consultants, to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your child.

We have extensive experience representing people involved in a wide range of child custody and visitation litigation matters, including:

• Custody modifications
• Parenting plans, both establishment and modification
• Child relocation, or "move away", cases
• Child support establishment and enforcement
• International and Interstate Issues
• Rights of grandparents and other relatives
• Drug and alcohol addiction
• Family violence

Contact our office to schedule an opportunity to meet with one of our experienced attorneys about your child custody and visitation matter. We understand that child custody and visitation is not just about the law; it is about your family. Based on our experience, we can clearly explain how Central Texas family courts are likely to view your situation and we will guide you through the entire process. Our lawyers pride themselves on offering our clients honest and realistic assessments about their cases while zealously advocating for the needs of each individual client. Let us help you achieve peace of mind about your child custody and visitation case.

Contact us at Piper & Turner, PLLC to learn more about how we can help you weather the storm.