Law Office of Douglas C. Smith - El Paso Family Law Attorney For the advice of an experienced civilian and military family lawyer, contact me in El Paso at the Law Office of Douglas C. Smith. I can offer resourceful and reliable guidance on such issues as:
With my experience as an Army JAG officer followed by 25 years of West Texas family law practice, I'm usually able to resolve the difficult family law problems that uniformed military personnel and their spouses frequently face under the Texas Family Code. Child Custody and Visitation - An OverviewParents who are divorcing have much to consider. Uppermost in their minds is often child custody. Child custody and visitation/parenting time can come in many forms. Joint custody and sole custody; legal custody and physical custody; custody evaluations and modifications: all are terms with which a divorcing parent will become familiar. Knowledgeable advice and skilled representation from an experienced family law attorney can assist you in your pursuit of a fair custody arrangement. Creating Parenting Plans that WorkA parenting plan is an agreement between parents who are either divorced/divorcing or never married, and it outlines the custody of their children. It takes into account arrangements such as who has the children on which days; who makes major decisions about the children's education, health, etc.; and what to do if any party's situation significantly changes. Parents who agree on a parenting plan rather than let the court decide are more likely to comply with custody arrangements. Sitting down with the spouse you are divorcing to work out a parenting plan may seem like the last thing you want to do, but this approach holds many advantages. You are the people who know your children best: their needs, their schedules and their preferences. By working together to create a parenting plan that satisfies the needs of your new family structure, you will avoid the possibility of a court's less nuanced solution. A court can only know what you tell it about your family's particularities, but you and your spouse are already exceptionally familiar with the territory. A family law attorney can help you create a plan that is right for you and your family. Divorce EducationEach year, about 1 million American children see their families changed through divorce. The ongoing health and mental well-being of these children often depends upon how their parents interact following the end of the marriage. An experienced family law attorney can inform, guide and support you throughout the divorce and custody process. Custody and Visitation Dos and Don'tsOne thing divorce does not change is your being a parent. Whether you develop a traditional visitation schedule or a flexible co-parenting plan, whether the arrangement is temporary or permanent, you can help make the time you spend with your children happy and productive. When questions regarding custody and visitation arise, an experienced family law attorney is the ideal source for competent counsel. Custody Evaluations: What You Should KnowIf you and your former spouse have been unable to reach an agreement regarding child custody, the family court judge deciding your case may order a custody evaluation. A custody evaluation is a process in which a mental health professional, usually a psychologist, evaluates you, your children and your spouse in order to make a custody and visitation recommendation to the court. Courts tend to give considerable weight to the recommendations of the evaluator. A family law attorney can explain custody evaluations and answer your child custody questions.
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10514 Montwood Drive
El Paso, TX 79935-2703
915-593-6600
Friday, September 3, 2010
Saturday Morning Appointments Available
NOTE: Labels in bold are required.
When you are faced with an important life decision regarding a key family relationship, you need an experienced family law attorney.
