Austin Child Custody Lawyer
Child Custody Decisions, Disputes, and Modifications
At Andrae Law, PLLC, our goal is to guide you through any child custody proceedings to help you not only avoid the stress associated with a dispute or disagreement but to help you seek a swift and favorable result.
Our child custody attorneys in Austin, TX work diligently to help you achieve the outcome you are hoping for while keeping you informed and supported.
Helping You in a Variety of Child Custody Issues
Our lawyers take on child custody proceedings for clients in and around Austin, Williamson, Travis, and surrounding counties, including those that involve:
- Primary custody (conservatorship)
- Paternity issues
- Visitation
- Temporary custody and visitation orders
- Grandparents’ custody and visitation
- Custody issues for same-sex couples
To find out how our child custody lawyers can help you, call our team at (512) 668-7133. We serve Williamson, Travis, and any county surrounding Austin, TX.
Understanding Child Custody Arrangements in TX
Any custody issue has the potential to be highly contested. As parents, we want what’s best for our children, and we fight for what we believe is right. This can make an otherwise amicable divorceturn into a heated battle over custody and visitation.
Even though there are common aspects that a judge routinely considers in a child custody dispute, each custody case is different and may affect one or more of these custody arrangements. Therefore, it is essential to understand which arrangement may be best for you and your family.
What are the Different Types of Custody in Texas?
Most parents that come in for a consultation with us ask how they can get “primary custody” or “sole custody” of their children. While this is a reasonable and expected question in a parent’s mind, the legal term in the Texas Family Code is conservatorship. One parent is usually given the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the children.
Joint & Sole Managing Conservatorships
The term conservatorship encompasses many other rights, duties, and obligations of the parents or conservators beyond the issue of the children’s primary residence. The presumption in Texas is that parents are Joint Managing Conservators and will make decisions jointly, such as whether a child should have an elective surgery or receive psychological treatment.
However, there are some cases where one parent is named the Sole Managing Conservator and the other parent is named the Possessory Conservator.
Those designations are typically reserved for the high conflict relationships, or in a case where one parent has significant mental health or substance abuse problems, or other issues that interfere with their ability to parent.
How is Custody Determined in Texas?
There are several factors that the courts consider when making judgments regarding child custody in Texas. The overarching factor is the best interest of the child.
There are multiple ways to measure this, which include:
- Each parent’s home environment
- How far the parents live from each other
- Each parent’s ability to take care of the child or children
- Whether or not the parents are able to work together
- The financial situation of each parent
- The job situation of each parent (travel, work hours, etc.)
- The child’s preference when 12 years or older
- Needs of the child (both emotional and physical)
- The current extent of each parent’s relationship with the child
These are just a few of the factors a court may consider. No matter what, the court will decide based on what it believes will be in the best interest of the child.
What Makes a Father Unfit for Custody in Texas?
What makes a father unfit for custody in Texas is if he has a practical and negative impact on the child's emotional and physical health. Some effects labeled as unfit include abuse, unsuitable living environment, history of drugs or alcohol, or abandonment.
Should You Get A Lawyer For Child Custody In Texas?
During Texas child custody proceedings, your attorney will establish an open line of communication with you so you can express your wishes and concerns, as well as seek legal advice relating to your child or children, your relationship with a co-parent, or your case in general.
Get Highly Experienced Custody Counsel
There is an unlimited number of variations within the issue of conservatorship. Our firm works to find a structure that works best for our client and their family.
As mediators and litigators, our Austin child custody lawyers have negotiated and formulated an infinite number of conservatorship structures for our clients and mediation parties.
Don't go through the Texas child custody process alone. Contact us at (512) 668-7133 to put our Austin custody attorneys on your side.

What Sets Our Firm Apart?
Safeguarding the Best Interests of You & Your Family-
Committed to Giving Back
Our firm is involved with giving back to the legal profession and the community.
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Board Certified
Amanda Andrae is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
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Experienced Attorneys
Our attorneys have over 40 years of combined legal experience.
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Full-Service Family Law Firm
We have the specialized knowledge in these areas to help you resolve your family law issues.