Lewisville Child Custody Lawyer

Child Custody Representation in Denton County Since 2007, Voted #1 Three Years Running

Haugen Law Firm, P.C. has represented families in child custody matters throughout Denton, Dallas, and Collin Counties since 2007. Attorney John Haugen is a West Point graduate and former U.S. Army Captain who was honorably discharged in 1989 after five years of service. That background shapes how we approach every custody case: with discipline, preparation, and a clear-eyed focus on what matters most to the families we represent. The firm has been voted number one by Best of Lewisville and Flower Mound for three consecutive years.

Whether your custody matter can be resolved through a negotiated parenting plan or requires a custody attorney prepared to advocate in Denton County family court, we handle both paths. Our office is in Old Town Lewisville, and we serve clients across the region. Remote consultations are available for those who can’t meet in person. We also offer a 20% discount to active-duty military members, firefighters, and teachers, and a 10% discount to retired military members.

No two custody situations are alike. We build a strategy around your specific circumstances rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, because the legal approach in your case should reflect the realities of your family.

If you’re facing a custody matter in Lewisville or anywhere in Denton County, don’t wait to get legal guidance. Call us at (972) 460-6798 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.

Understanding Joint Custody in Texas: What You Need to Know

Lawyers can draft joint custody agreements between the two parties to determine what days the child will spend living with each parent. A common arrangement divides time by weekdays, with the child living with one parent during the school week and the other on weekends. Other cases involve residing with one parent during the school year and the other during the summer.

Texas courts encourage cooperative parenting plans whenever possible. Denton County judges often focus on arrangements that keep siblings together and support the child’s school and community connections. Proximity to local schools, extracurricular activities, and community ties can all influence the structure of a workable agreement.

Joint custody arrangements are designed to reflect the best interests of the child while allowing both parents meaningful involvement. When disagreements arise, mediation can help parents reach decisions without returning to court.

By contrast, sole custody means only one parent has custody of the child. The other parent may receive visitation rights but won’t provide the child’s primary home. Courts typically grant sole custody when it serves the child’s best interests, such as when one parent can’t provide a safe environment.

The sooner you contact our law firm, the sooner you can begin addressing the custody process. The other parent may also seek legal representation, so retaining a custody attorney early can help you prepare your position.

Physical custody determines which parent the child lives with, while legal custody decides which parent makes major life decisions for the child.

In North Texas, judges carefully examine a child’s daily needs when assigning physical custody. They weigh factors like school locations, commute times in the Lewisville area, and the time each parent can devote to after-school and weekend caregiving. A well-developed plan addresses these practical realities, helping children stay connected to both parents and their community.

Legal custody can be agreed upon by both parents, but a family law judge often determines it during divorce proceedings. It covers decisions such as where the child attends school and what medical care they receive.

Conservatorship in Texas: What the Law Actually Calls Custody

Texas courts don’t use the word “custody.” The Texas Family Code uses the term conservatorship, which refers to the rights and duties each parent holds regarding their child. A parent granted conservatorship may hold decision-making authority, physical access rights, or both. These statutory terms define exactly what a court order gives you and what it requires of you.

Joint Managing Conservatorship (JMC) is the default in Texas. Both parents share rights and duties, though courts may still designate one parent as the primary residence parent. Most custody orders in Denton County are structured as JMC arrangements.

Sole Managing Conservatorship (SMC) grants one parent authority over major decisions, including schooling, medical care, and where the child lives. Courts require compelling evidence that SMC serves the child’s best interests before departing from the joint managing default.

Possessory Conservatorship is the legal equivalent of visitation. The possessory conservator has enforceable time with the child and access to school and medical records but doesn’t hold primary decision-making authority.

If you and the other parent were never married, custody and support are established through a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR). A SAPCR is the filing used to create formal custody and support orders outside of divorce. Working with a custody lawyer to file a SAPCR correctly from the start can help you avoid gaps that may become harder to fix later. Under Texas Family Code Section 153.003, courts can’t favor either parent based on sex. Every conservatorship decision turns on the best interests of the child.

How Child Custody Is Determined in Texas

In contested divorces, a judge often decides custody when parents can’t agree. The court bases every decision on the child’s best interests, so you’ll need to show how your parenting addresses those needs. Local judges review the unique facts of each family while working to minimize upheaval for the children.

Factors judges consider when deciding child custody include:

• Which parent can provide for the child’s physical and emotional needs
• Which parent creates a safe environment for the child, both physically and emotionally
• The stability of each parent’s home
• The ability of each parent to cooperate with the other
• Which parent has been the primary caregiver
• The child’s preference, particularly if the child is 12 or older
• Whether siblings are involved
• The abilities and availability of each parent
• Any history of abuse or domestic violence

The Texas Family Code requires all final orders to prioritize the best interests of the child. Parents preparing for a custody dispute should gather school and medical records that document their involvement in the child’s life. When a judge rather than the parents is making the final call, having a custody attorney who knows Denton County family court can make a real difference.

Child Custody Mediation: A Path to Amicable Solutions

Mediation is often more cost-effective and less stressful than litigation for Lewisville parents working through custody arrangements. It lets parents control decisions that affect their children’s lives and often produces agreements without court intervention. Sessions can be scheduled around the family’s calendar, which also reduces time spent at the Denton County Family Courthouse.

A neutral third party guides the conversation so both parents have a voice. Agreements reached through mediation can lay a foundation for productive co-parenting after the divorce. Texas courts may require mediation before a custody case proceeds to trial, and mediated agreements, once court-approved, carry the same legal weight as a judge-issued order.

Emotional Impact of Custody Decisions on Children

Custody changes affect more than legal arrangements. Many children feel anxious, sad, or confused during transitions, and those emotions can affect their adjustment and sense of stability. Parents can ease the process through open, age-appropriate conversations and consistent reassurance.

Families in Lewisville can turn to licensed counselors for support during these transitions. Resources within the Lewisville Independent School District can help children manage changes in routines and relationships. When deeper support is needed, working with a child psychologist or family therapist gives children a space to process what they’re experiencing and build long-term resilience.

Standard Possession Orders & Visitation Schedules in Denton County

Texas courts rely on standard possession orders to establish baseline visitation schedules, covering weekends, holidays, and summer breaks. In Denton County, judges may tailor the standard order for each family’s situation, factoring in the Lewisville ISD school calendar and the child’s extracurricular schedule. The result is a predictable routine with room for flexibility when both parents agree.

When parents live far apart, the court may adjust the schedule to reduce the burden on the child. When both parents agree to a custom plan that meets the child’s needs, Denton County courts generally approve it. Talking through arrangements early helps you understand how local routines and school schedules will shape your day-to-day family life.

Enforcement & Modification of Child Custody Orders

Once a court issues a custody or visitation order, both parents are bound by it until the court changes it. If a parent in Lewisville doesn’t honor the terms, whether by denying visitation or relocating without approval, the other parent can seek enforcement through the Denton County courts. Enforcement actions can include requests for make-up visitation or asking the court to clarify order language to prevent future disputes.

When circumstances change significantly, such as a parent relocating, a new work schedule, or the child’s evolving needs, Texas law allows the court to review the existing order. A material and substantial change in circumstances is required before modifications are granted. Keep records current and document significant changes in your family’s situation; that documentation can make the process more straightforward if modification becomes necessary.