Child Custody

Protecting Your Rights in Custody and Visitation

Child custody is often the hardest aspect of divorce and family law to find compromise. Our lawyers work hard to negotiate agreements that enable parents to move on with their new lives with the least upheaval and stress for the children.

Pfister, Borserine & Associates offers compassionate advocacy to protect your interests while finding solutions in custody and visitation. Contact our Frisco, Texas firm to discuss your rights and your unique situation. We represent parents (divorcing or never married) of Collin and Denton counties and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Call 972.712.6700, day or night.

Child Custody in Texas

Except in cases of abuse or neglect, courts presume that some form of shared possession (joint custody) is best for children. That is, the child will live part of the time with both parents, and both will share in the powers and duties of parenting (e.g., educational choices, medical decisions). However, the courts often award "standard possession" of the child to one parent, with a defined visitation schedule for the other parent. The custodial parent is generally barred from moving out of the jurisdiction with the children. Children 12 and older are allowed input about which parent they would prefer to live with, but the court makes the final decision.

Finding Solutions in Your Best Interests

Pfister, Borserine & Associates can help negotiate a child custody agreement for equal or approximately equal possession and decision-making. The courts will generally honor the agreement as long as it is deemed to be in the best interests of the child. We can act as mediators, as counsel in collaborative law negotiation, or in traditional negotiation to create a workable parenting plan.

If no compromise can be reached, as when you or the other parent is seeking sole custody, a court will determine custody, visitation, and child support. We have the trial experience to litigate aggressively on your behalf and protect your rights.

Paternity, Grandparents' Rights, and Adoption

We have experience in paternity (parentage) claims, either petitioning for or defending against fathers, grandparents, or other involved individuals seeking visitation rights or shared custody. We also represent women seeking to establish paternity to compel child support.

Texas law provides limited rights to grandparents who are denied visitation, such as after death or divorce. Pfister, Borserine & Associates has represented clients seeking access to a grandchild when they can establish a prior emotional bond with the child. In certain cases, courts may even award standard possession to grandparents in cases of abuse or abandonment.

We also handle (uncontested) stepparent adoptions and private adoptions, helping clients clear any legal barriers to formalize the placement.

972.712.6700: Contact our child custody attorneys to get started on your case. John J. Pfister, Jr. is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and Charity Borserine offers 14 years of legal experience in custody and family law.