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San Antonio Child Visitation Attorneys
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Maintaining Meaningful Connections: Protecting Your Visitation Rights
After a separation or divorce, maintaining a strong parent-child bond becomes more difficult. The terms of your visitation order may be the most important factor in determining whether you continue to stay connected to your children and involved in their lives.
At Lishman Law, we understand the profound importance of visitation rights. We are passionately committed to protecting your relationship with your child and providing your family with the opportunity to nurture meaningful connections in a safe and supportive environment.
How Child Visitation Works in Texas
In Texas, child visitation is not simply a matter of parental preference; it's governed by laws that prioritize the best interests of the child. Before rendering visitation orders or approving agreements, courts weigh a variety of relevant factors, including whether parents can provide for their children’s emotional and physical needs, both currently and in the future.
A carefully crafted visitation order will outline the specific times, locations, and conditions under which a noncustodial parent can spend time with their child. These orders are often highly personalized, taking into account the unique circumstances of each family.
Key Factors Affecting Visitation Schedules in San Antonio
San Antonio courts consider a variety of factors when determining visitation schedules, always placing the child's well-being and safety at the forefront.
The Standard Possession Order
The standard possession order serves as a framework for visitation in Texas. It provides a structured schedule for weekend, holiday, and summer access for the noncustodial parent, depending on how far apart the parents live.
Lishman Law can help you determine whether the standard possession order is the most appropriate arrangement for your family's needs. We can also explore modifications to the order that make sense for you and your children, or we can help you create a customized co-parenting schedule.
Modifying a Visitation Order
Life circumstances change, and visitation orders may need to be adjusted to reflect those changes. Some examples of reasons to modify a visitation order include:
- Your work schedule changes
- You have to relocate
- Your child’s school or activity schedule changes
- Your child’s emotional or physical needs change
Lishman Law can help you seek a modification so that the visitation order will continue to serve your child's best interests, taking into account the current circumstances.
Supervised Visitation
When the court is concerned about the child’s safety because of a noncustodial parent’s current or recent behavior, it may order a third party to be present during visitation. Lishman Law can help you navigate the sensitive process of supervised visitation and help you abide by its terms.
Long-Distance Visitation
When parents reside significant distances apart, it’s more difficult for the noncustodial parent to maintain their bond with their child. Lishman Law understands your concerns, and we can help you develop a comprehensive long-distance visitation plan that addresses travel arrangements, costs, communication strategies, and other logistical challenges.
Common Visitation Challenges and How Lishman Law Can Help
Even with a clearly defined visitation order in place, unforeseen challenges can sometimes disrupt the schedule and negatively impact the parent-child relationship. Lishman Law is experienced in addressing a wide range of common visitation issues.
Enforcing Visitation Orders
When the other parent consistently violates the established visitation order, it can be incredibly frustrating and potentially detrimental to your relationship with your child. Lishman Law can help you take decisive legal action to enforce your visitation rights, allowing you to spend time with your child as ordered by the court.
Addressing Parental Alienation
Parental alienation, where one parent attempts to undermine or damage the child's relationship with the other parent, can have devastating consequences. Lishman Law is skilled at identifying and addressing instances of parental alienation, working to protect your relationship with your child and promote a healthy co-parenting environment.
Protecting Your Child's Well-Being
Your child's safety and well-being are always the top priority. If you have concerns about your child's safety during their time with the other parent, Lishman Law can help you take immediate steps to protect them. We can seek modifications to the visitation order, especially if your child experiences neglect, abuse, or exposure to harmful influences, and involve child protective services if necessary.
Don't let a poorly designed or outdated visitation order disrupt your relationship with your child. Contact Lishman Law today for a free case evaluation.
Schedule a free consultation with Lishman Law, PLLC.
The San Antonio Child Visitation Process: What to Expect
When you turn to Lishman Law to establish or modify a visitation order, our child custody attorneys provide clear guidance and unwavering support through each step.
We begin by gaining a clear understanding of your concerns about visitation rights. We’ll assess and explain your legal options, helping you make an informed decision that will protect your child and strengthen your bond.
We work collaboratively to develop a detailed visitation plan that supports your child's best interests, fosters positive relationships, and accommodates your schedule and situation.
We strive to resolve visitation disputes through negotiation or mediation whenever possible, seeking creative solutions that meet the needs of all parties involved. However, if a mutually agreeable settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to advocate for your rights and protect your child's best interests in court.
What Our Clients Say
Our Team
Sarah Anne Lishman was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, where she graduated with honors from Communications Arts High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern New Mexico University in 2005, majoring in History and minoring in English. After obtaining her undergraduate degree, she returned to San Antonio and attended St. Mary’s University School of Law.
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Why Choose Lishman Law for Your Child Visitation Case?
When it comes to protecting your relationship with your child, you need an attorney you can trust. Lishman Law provides compassionate, experienced, and communicative legal representation in all child visitation matters:
Compassion
We understand the profound importance of strong parent-child relationships and are dedicated to protecting your fundamental visitation rights.
Experience
Our proven track record of success speaks to our skill in negotiating and litigating complex child visitation cases in San Antonio and surrounding cities.
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Communication
We provide personalized attention and responsive communication, keeping you fully informed and actively involved in every decision.
You can always expect clear and upfront explanations of our fees, along with frequent updates so that you always know where you stand.
Areas We Serve
Lishman Law proudly provides legal services related to child visitation to clients throughout San Antonio and surrounding communities. We serve the diverse needs of families in Boerne, Live Oak, Schertz, and other cities in Bexar County and beyond, offering accessible and effective legal representation to protect your parental rights.
- Bexar County
- San Antonio
- Leon Valley
- Universal City
- Live Oak
- Converse
- Guadalupe County
- Seguin
- New Braunfels
- Cibolo
- Staples
- Schertz
- Kendall County
- Boerne
- Kendalia
- Fair Oaks Ranch
- Bergheim
- Comfort
- Atascosa County
- Pleasanton
- Poteet
- Jourdanton
- Lytle
- Charlotte
- Comal County
- Bulverde
- Spring Branch
- Canyon Lake
- Medina County
- Hondo
- Natalia
- Devine
- LaCoste
- Castroville
- Wilson County
- Floresville
- Sutherland Springs
- La Vernia
- Poth
- Stockdale
- Kerr County
- Kerrville
- Center Point
- Ingram
- Mountain Home
- Hunt
- Gillespie County
- Fredericksburg
- Luckenbach
- Harper
- Doss
- Stonewall
- Bandera County
- Bandera
- Lakehills
- Pipe Creek
FAQ
Texas courts use the term “conservatorship” to refer to child custody. Both terms are used to describe the rights and responsibilities a parent has concerning their child.
There are two ways that conservatorship can be assigned in Texas. First, both parents may be named joint managing conservators. Each has the right to make certain decisions about the child. Sometimes, the parent who has the most time with the child may be named the custodial parent and be given the right to decide the child’s primary residence. The other parent, the noncustodial parent, may be given visitation rights.
Alternatively, one parent may be named the sole managing conservator and have the exclusive right to make all significant decisions for the child. The other parent may be named possessory conservator and given visitation rights.
Regardless of whether a parent is a joint managing conservator, a sole managing conservator, or a possessory conservator, they will have the following rights (unless limited by a court):
- To receive information from any other conservator of the child concerning the health, education, and welfare of the child.
- To confer with the other parent to the extent possible before making a decision concerning the health, education, and welfare of the child.
- Of access to medical, dental, psychological, and educational records of the child.
- To consult with a physician, dentist, or psychologist of the child.
- To consult with school officials concerning the child's welfare and educational status, including school activities.
- To attend school activities, including school lunches, performances, and field trips.
- To be designated on the child's records as a person to be notified in case of an emergency.
- To consent to medical, dental, and surgical treatment during an emergency involving an immediate danger to the health and safety of the child.
- To manage the estate of the child to the extent the estate has been created by the parent or the parent's family.
A parent conservator will have the following rights and duties during their periods of possession of a child (unless limited by a court):
- The duty of care, control, protection, and reasonable discipline of the child.
- The duty to support the child, including providing the child with clothing, food, shelter, and medical and dental care not involving an invasive procedure.
- The right to consent for the child to medical and dental care not involving an invasive procedure.
- The right to direct the moral and religious training of the child.
If a parent requests that the judge speak to a child over the age of 12, the judge is required to interview that child privately, in chambers, and outside the presence of the parents and their attorneys. If the child is younger than 12, the judge may decide whether or not to speak with the child; in other words, it is discretionary.
Lishman Law can help you understand the rules and the advisability of child interview requests in a family law case.
Yes, a visitation order can be modified if you move out of state, but this is not an automatic process. Depending on the original visitation order, you may need permission from the court before you can move. A new visitation schedule will usually be created to accommodate an out-of-state move.
Lishman Law can advise you on modifying your visitation order if you or the other parent moves out of state.
While a child's wishes may be considered, they are not the sole determining factor in visitation decisions. Texas courts generally believe it is in a child's best interests to have a relationship with both parents unless there are safety concerns. The judge will consider the child's age and maturity level, as well as the reasons for their reluctance, when making a decision.
Lishman Law can help you navigate this sensitive issue and advocate for your child's best interests.
Unless there is a specific provision in the visitation order prohibiting it, the other parent is generally free to bring their new partner around your child during visitation. However, if you have concerns about the new partner's behavior or influence on your child, you can seek a modification to the visitation order.
Lishman Law can help you assess the situation and determine the best course of action.
The responsibility for travel expenses associated with visitation is typically addressed in the visitation order. The court may require one or both parents to contribute to these expenses, taking into account their respective financial circumstances.
Lishman Law can help you negotiate a fair allocation of travel expenses so that financial limitations do not prevent you from spending time with your child.
In these complex cases, accessing additional information can be beneficial. Below is a list of external resources that you may find helpful for further guidance and support:
- Bexar County Domestic Relations Office
- How to Prepare for Child Custody Court
- Between Two Homes, LLC
- Child Advocacy Access Services
Protect Your Right to See Your Child
Your relationship with your child is priceless. If you're facing visitation challenges, Lishman Law is here to help. Schedule a free case evaluation to learn how we can advocate for your parental rights.