Austin Visitation Attorneys
We Can Protect Your Visitation Rights
If you are going through a divorce or have established paternity and wish to spend time with your child, you may want to pursue visitation. The same may apply if you are a grandparent who wishes to be involved in your grandchild’s life. In Texas, the legal terms for visitation are “possession” and “access” of the children. Although the term “possession” is less than desirable for most parents, this is how it is referred to under Texas law.
Having a competent attorney on your side can have a significant impact on your ability to obtain a fair visitation schedule. At Andrae Law, PLLC, our lead attorney is Board Certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Together, our Austin attorneys have over 35 years of legal experience. We are highly qualified and prepared to protect your right to spend time with your child or grandchild.
When you are deciding whom to trust with your case, you may have questions about how visitation decisions are made in Travis County and surrounding Central Texas courts. We can walk you through how judges often evaluate each parent’s work schedule, the child’s school and activity commitments, and any history of conflict or safety concerns. By discussing these details with a child visitation lawyer Austin families can turn to for guidance, you gain a clearer sense of what to expect and what information will matter most in your situation.
Factors Courts Consider in Visitation Cases
Many parents want to know what judges actually look at when making decisions about possession and access under the Texas Family Code. Courts in Austin, including those at the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility, focus on the best interests of the child, which may include the child’s age, physical and emotional needs, and the stability each parent can offer. Judges can also consider each parent’s history of involvement in school, medical appointments, and extracurricular activities, as well as any concerns related to family violence, substance use, or neglect. Understanding these factors can help you and your visitation attorney to plan for hearings, mediation, and negotiations thoughtfully and realistically.
If you are dealing with relocation, new partners, or significant changes in work schedules, those shifts can also influence how a court views proposed possession schedules. Parents who can communicate respectfully, follow existing orders, and support their child’s relationship with the other parent are often in a stronger position when requesting changes to visitation. We can help you prepare documentation, organize communication records, and identify witnesses who can speak to your parenting, all with the goal of presenting a clear picture of your home life to the court in Travis, Williamson, or nearby counties.
We can handle such visitation/possession issues as:
- Establishing a visitation schedule in a divorce or separation
- Seeking visitation for grandparents
- Determining or contesting paternity in connection with a request for visitation
- Enforcing visitation schedules
- Modifications to visitation and custody orders
- Tailored schedules for infants and toddlers not covered by the Texas Standard Possession Order
Call (512) 668-7133 to speak with visitation lawyers about your rights in Austin, Williamson, Travis, and nearby communities.
Why Choose Andrae Law, PLLC?
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Committed to Giving BackOur firm is involved with giving back to the legal profession and the community.
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Board CertifiedAmanda Andrae is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
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Experienced AttorneysOur attorneys have over 40 years of combined legal experience.
Visitation (Possession) Schedules in Texas
Texas Family Code includes a Standard and Expanded Standard Possession Order for children 3 and older that covers weekdays, weekends, certain holidays, and extended summer possession. The most common possession schedule for parents who have been divorced in the past several years is probably the Expanded Standard Possession Order. This schedule includes the first, third, and fifth weekends of the month from the time school is dismissed on Friday until the time school resumes on Monday. It also includes every Thursday during the school year from the time school is dismissed until the time school resumes on Friday. However, judges may order different schedules if they believe a good reason exists to do so.
50/50 possession schedules have become more common for parents, even though the Family Code does not contain a specific 50/50 possession schedule. Typically, a 50/50 schedule works best for parents who are both active participants in their children’s daily lives, schooling, and activities. If the parents have a healthy co-parenting relationship, a 50/50 schedule can be beneficial to everyone involved and allows the children to maximize quality time with both parents.
Just as there are a myriad of different structures for conservatorship (custody), the options for possession schedules are almost limitless. Some situations require a supervised possession schedule where one parent is supervised by a licensed professional or family member during their time with the children. With children under 3 years of age, we often design customized possession schedules that typically include more frequent visits and gradually increase to a more standard type of schedule.
Parents often want to know whether they will need to appear in person at the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility or whether their case can be resolved through negotiation or mediation. We regularly help clients evaluate whether a Standard Possession Order, an Expanded version, or a truly customized plan will fit their work hours, transportation needs, and the distance between households. By talking through these practical considerations with a visitation attorney Austin parents can work with to understand local court expectations, you can make more informed choices about proposals and settlement options.
Representing Parents & Grandparents in Austin, Travis, Williamson, TX & Surrounding Communities
A possession schedule should be designed to fit the needs of your family and your children’s lives. The members of our firm strive to help our clients obtain the schedule that best suits their particular situation. With an Austin visitation lawyer from Andrae Law by your side, you have the opportunity to arrange a schedule that truly works for you.
We recognize that many families in the Austin area are dealing with busy work calendars, traffic between neighborhoods in Travis and Williamson Counties, and children who may attend school or activities in different parts of the city. We take time to learn how your family actually functions day to day and then craft proposals that account for pick-up and drop-off arrangements, holiday traditions, and any special needs your child may have. When you work with a child visitation attorney Austin parents can rely on for clear guidance, you receive practical advice about how different schedule options may play out in real life, not just on paper.
Speak with our experienced visitation attorneys to protect your parental rights – book a consultation online or call (512) 668-7133 today.