Dallas Mothers' Rights Lawyer

Maternal Rights May Not Always Be Clear

Until relatively recently, Texas courts presumed that a mother was entitled to custody of her child. Today, that is no longer the case. Instead, a mother and father will share parental rights and responsibilities, at least in the vast majority of situations.

O'Neil & Attorneys in Dallas represents mothers who need to establish and exercise their parental rights. With more than 20 years of family law experience, we understand that you and your child's father most likely have strong opinions about how you want your child to be raised. One of our strengths as a firm is our ability to understand these interests, which are often quite different, and help our clients reach solutions that work for each parent, and most importantly, for the child.

Understanding Texas Law on Mothers' Rights

The Texas child custody statute is gender neutral. This means that a mother is not automatically granted custody simply by virtue of giving birth to the child. Rather, the mother and father are both presumed to have parental rights. As lawyers, we start from that baseline assumption and then present facts and evidence to the court to show why you as a mother deserve sole custody or some other arrangement. Keep in mind that custody arrangements are made based on the best interests of the child, not necessarily based on the wishes of either parent.

What Are Your Rights as a Mother?

Our Dallas mothers' rights attorneys can help you understand what your parental rights are. Most likely, you and the child's father will be joint managing conservators, which means each of you has input into the way the child is raised. One of you will have the right to establish the child's primary residence, sometimes known as having "physical custody." Beyond that, Texas gives you, as a co-parent, the right to:

• Speak with school officials about your child's educational needs and goals
• Attend school activities
• Consult with your child's doctor, dentist or psychologist
• Discuss you child's health care and educational needs with the father
• Have input on the religious and moral aspects of your child's life

Whether you are divorced or where never married to the father of your child, the Dallas law firm of O'Neil & Attorneys is ready to help you understand and protect your parental rights.

Contact a Dallas Divorce Attorney

We welcome any and all questions you may have about your rights as a mother. To schedule a meeting with one of our compassionate, skilled Dallas mothers' rights attorneys, call 972- 499-4558 or toll free 866-959-4330. You can also contact our law firm online.