Custody battles are among the most emotionally and mentally challenging disputes in family law. They get even worse when parents let deep-seated animosity or intense disagreements get in the way of pursuing what is right for their child. If your coparent is being uncooperative or hostile, it’s time to enlist the help of a Spring high-conflict custody lawyer. The team at the Walke-Wilson Firm is here to help you navigate the family law system and gain custody of your child.
High-conflict custody cases are family law disputes where parents cannot cooperate or come to a fair parenting agreement due to ongoing issues, extreme dislike for one another, or failures to properly communicate. Oftentimes, these cases involve parental alienation, allegations of abuse, and refusal to comply with court orders. Worse of all, parents often lose sight of the true goal of custody cases. creating an agreement that’s in the child’s best interests.
High-conflict custody battles are characterized by intense and prolonged disputes. Some common issues in these cases include:
In Texas, the court’s primary concern in custody cases is the best interests of the child, as per Family Code Chapter 153. The court will consider the stability and safety each parent can provide, as well as their ability to care for the child.
In high-conflict custody cases, judges closely scrutinize the actions of each parent, especially regarding parental alienation and allegations of abuse. The court may even order mediation to get parents to communicate and attempt to reach an agreement. Consider working with an experienced attorney for your high-conflict custody case to help you present evidence of your parenting abilities to the court.
Our team at the Walke-Wilson Firm knows how difficult it can be to go through a high-conflict custody battle. That’s why we approach each case with dedication and compassion, ensuring clients feel heard throughout the process. Our experienced team is committed to making this process as simple and stress-free as possible, even in the most challenging of cases.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make in a custody battle is letting your emotions get the better of you. Remember, the goal of a custody battle is to create a parenting agreement that’s in your child’s best interest. Don’t get caught up badmouthing your coparent or telling lies to make them look worse in the court’s eyes. Doing so can only serve to hurt your case, and it makes you look all the more unfit as a parent.
Yes, you can lose custody of your child for being high-conflict if your behavior harms the child’s well-being or their relationship with the other parent. Chronic conflicts, parental alienation, or a refusal to effectively coparent work against you during custody battles. The court’s primary goal is protecting the child’s best interests, and putting them in the custody of a high-conflict parent may not be best for them.
How much a high-conflict lawyer charges depends on the complexities of your case and the experience of the attorney. An attorney with a long track record of success will likely charge more than a newer lawyer, especially in a case as complicated as a high-conflict custody battle. While the cost may be higher to work with an experienced lawyer, the benefits of their knowledge and background likely work in your favor.
To be successful with a high-conflict custody case, you want to reach an agreement or order that is in the best interest of your child. You’ll need evidence and witness testimony that proves you’re a fit parent and that you can provide for your child. Remember, you’re not trying to beat your partner. You’re trying to show the court that living or spending more time with you is in your child’s best interest.
Far too often, parents can’t put aside their animosity for each other to reach an agreement that’s in the best interests of their child. Breakdowns in communication, false claims about one another, manipulation of the child, all of these actions can create challenging parenting cases. Hire a high-conflict custody lawyer to help you stand up to a hostile parent and work toward the parenting agreement your child deserves.
Contact the team at the Walke-Wilson Firm to set up an initial consultation. Talk to us about your case, the actions of your coparent, and what you hope to achieve. We can explain your options and help you create a strategy to secure custody or parenting time with your child. Our Spring high-conflict custody attorneys are here to give you the compassionate guidance you need during this difficult time.