Child Custody Attorney in Frisco

Serving Frisco Families Across Collin & Denton Counties Since 2007

Haugen Law Firm, P.C. has guided families through child custody matters since 2007. Our practice is built on values shaped by military experience: discipline, preparation, and a genuine commitment to the people we represent. When your relationship with your child is at stake, you deserve legal support that takes your situation seriously from the first conversation.

Call our child custody attorneys today at (972) 460-6798 to discuss your case and learn how we can help your family move forward.

Frisco Custody Cases: Two Counties, One Firm

Frisco sits across both Collin County and Denton County, and that geographic split matters in custody cases. The county where your family lives determines which court system handles your matter. A family on the Collin County side of Frisco files in one court. A family on the Denton County side files in another, with different judges, different local rules, and different procedural calendars.

Haugen Law Firm, P.C. serves families throughout Denton, Dallas, and Collin Counties. Regardless of which side of Frisco you live on, we can handle your custody matter without referring you elsewhere.

How Texas Law Defines Custody

Texas family law uses the term conservatorship rather than custody, though most parents use both words interchangeably. Conservatorship governs decision-making authority over your child, while possession and access governs the parenting schedule. Both are addressed together in a custody order.

Courts start from a preference for joint managing conservatorship, meaning both parents share rights and duties, though one parent is typically designated as the primary conservator with whom the child primarily lives. The standard guiding every decision is the best interest of the child, as established under Texas Family Code Section 153.002. Factors the court considers include the stability each parent can provide, the child’s relationship with each parent, and any history of family violence.

One rule that surprises many parents: under Texas Family Code Section 153.009, a child who is at least 12 years old can meet privately with the judge to express a preference about which parent they want to live with. The judge can consider that preference, but it isn’t binding. A child’s stated wish is one factor among many, not a decision.

Modifying an Existing Custody Order in Texas

Circumstances change after a custody order is in place, and Texas law provides a path to revisit those arrangements. Under Texas Family Code Section 156.101, a court may modify a conservatorship, possession, or access order when two conditions are met: the modification would be in the child’s best interest, and there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances since the original order was signed.

A material and substantial change typically means something significant: a parent relocating, a meaningful shift in a child’s needs, a change in a parent’s living situation, or documented safety concerns. Modification can also be available when a child at least 12 years old expresses a preference to the judge, or when the primary conservator has voluntarily relinquished the child’s primary care for at least six months. Courts won’t revisit a custody order simply because one parent is dissatisfied. The change must be real and demonstrable.

How We Approach Child Custody Representation

Every custody case starts with listening. Before we can build a strategy, we need to understand your family’s history, your goals, and what matters most to you and your child. From there, we develop a plan tailored to your specific circumstances rather than a one-size-fits-all approach applied to every case.

Many custody matters resolve through negotiation or mediation, and we work toward agreements that can serve your family without unnecessary conflict. When the other side won’t negotiate in good faith, or when your child’s safety calls for stronger action, we’re fully prepared to advocate in court. Being ready to litigate also can strengthen your position at the negotiating table.

Making It Easier to Get Started

We offer remote consultations so that geography or a demanding schedule doesn’t stand between you and qualified legal guidance. If you’re a military member, first responder, or teacher, we offer significant discounts in recognition of the work you do for others. Reaching out to a custody lawyer early gives you a clearer picture of your options before decisions are made that are harder to revisit later.

If you’re a Frisco parent with questions about conservatorship, a parenting schedule, or modifying an existing order, contact Haugen Law Firm, P.C. at (972) 460-6798 to schedule a consultation.