Find A Texas Lawyer for Child Custody

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Need a Lawyer for Your Texas Child Custody case? The Texas bar Association Lawyer Referral Service is Free.

The Texas bar Association offers a free online service to search for a lawyer in your area.
Use the Texas Bar Associations' Lawyer Referral Information Service by clicking on this link STATE BAR OF TEXAS.

The Texas Bar Association Lawyer Referral Information System also lists frequently asked questions and answers:

Do you have a list of pro bono – or free – attorneys?

Our network of lawyers do not work for free and we do not provide a list of pro bono attorneys.

Do you answer legal questions? Can you give me legal advice?

We have no lawyers on our LRIS staff and we are not qualified to give you legal advice or answer legal questions.
Our LRIS program refers you to attorney or appropriate agency that can help you.

Can you tell me if I have a case?
Only a lawyer can tell you if you have case and if they are willing to handle the case for you. Our LRIS staff cannot make that determination for you.
We refer you to an attorney or agency that best matches your legal problem.

Are you an attorney? Can I speak to an attorney in your office?

We have no lawyers on our LRIS staff and cannot give legal advice. And we do not have attorneys in the office to answer your immediate questions.
Our LRIS program refers you to attorney or appropriate agency that can help you.

How much does it cost for me to use this service?

There is no charge for referring you to a lawyer or other agency that can help with your legal problems.
Your lawyer will provide you with the first 30-minute consultation for no more than $20. After that, it is up to you to negotiate the fees normally charged by the attorney.
Each lawyer sets their own fees, you should discuss that with them in your consultation.

What is the statute of limitations for my case?

The lawyer we refer you to is the person to ask this question. Please consult with an attorney for your specific issue.

Why do you need my name and mailing address?

In order to receive a referral from our service, we must record your name and mailing address. This information is only shared with the attorney we refer you to; it is never sold to a third party.

Why can’t you refer me to an attorney in my county?

There are two reasons for this:
1) An attorney has not signed up with us to serve that county (all lawyers in our network sign up voluntarily), or
2) We do not serve that county. But we can point you to another lawyer referral service who can help.

DIVORCE EDUCATION RESOURCES:
For divorcing parents with kids, the mandatory Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course is avaialable online for most Texas Counties here: http://www.parentingapart.com/.

Understanding Texas Parent Education Classes for Child Custody

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Why are divorcing parents of children in Texas required to take a parenting class before their divorce is final?

(Disclaimer: Please note, this post does not not constitute legal advice or mental health counseling. Please contact your attorney for legal advice or information. This information is provided for educational purposes only. This information may not reflect current Texas law or family code.)

Under Texas Family Code § 105.009., divorcing parents must complete a PARENT EDUCATION AND FAMILY STABILIZATION COURSE as follows;.

(a) Any action to modify a custody or visitation order or determine access to a child, the court may order the parties to the suit to attend a parent education and family stabilization course if the court determines that the order is in the best interest of the child.

(b) The parties to the suit may not be required to attend the course together. The court, on its own motion or the motion of either party, may prohibit the parties from taking the course together if there is a history of family violence in the marriage.

(c) A course under this section must be at least four hours, but not more than 12 hours, in length and be designed to educate and assist parents with regard to the consequences of divorce on parents and children. The course must include information on the following issues:

the emotional effects of divorce on parents;
the emotional and behavioral reactions to divorce by young children and adolescents;
parenting issues relating to the concerns and needs of children at different development stages;
stress indicators in young children and adolescents;
conflict management;
family stabilization through development of a co parenting relationship;
the financial responsibilities of parenting;
family violence, spousal abuse, and child abuse and neglect; and
the availability of community services and resources.

(d) A course may not be designed to provide individual mental health therapy or individual legal advice.

(e) A course satisfies the requirements of this section if it is offered by:

(1) a mental health professional who has at least a master's degree with a background in family therapy or parent education; or
(2) a religious practitioner who performs counseling consistent with the laws of this state or another person designated as a program counselor by a church or religious institution if the litigant so chooses.

(f) Information obtained in a course or a statement made by a participant to a suit during a course may not be considered in the adjudication of the suit or in any subsequent legal proceeding. Any report that results from participation in the course may not become a record in the suit unless the parties stipulate to the record in writing.

(g) The court may take appropriate action with regard to a party who fails to attend or complete a course ordered by the court under this section, including holding the party in contempt of court, striking pleadings, or invoking any sanction provided by Rule 215, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. The failure or refusal by a party to attend or complete a course required by this section may

not delay the court from rendering a judgment in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.

(h) The course required under this section may be completed by:

(i) On completion of the course, the course provider shall issue a certificate of completion to each participant. The certificate must state:

(1) the name of the participant;
(2) the name of the course provider;
(3) the date the course was completed; and
(4) whether the course was provided by:
(A) personal instruction;
(B) videotape instruction;
(C) instruction through an electronic medium; or
(D) a combination of those methods.

(j) The county clerk in each county may establish a registry of course providers in the county and a list of locations at which courses are provided. The clerk shall include information in the

registry identifying courses that are offered on a sliding fee scale or without charge.

(k) The court may not order the parties to a suit to attend a course under this section if the parties cannot afford to take the course. If the parties cannot afford to take a course, the court may direct the parties to a course that is offered on a sliding fee scale or without charge, if a course of that type is available. A party to a suit may not be required to pay more than $100 to attend a course ordered under this section.

(l) A person who has attended a course under this section may not be required to attend the course more than twice before the fifth anniversary of the date the person completes the course for the first time.

The Texas Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course provides education for divorcing parents intended to keep their children out of the middle of their parent's divorce.

Texas Parent Education for Child Custody