Tidwell & Tidwell Attorneys at Law




Child Custody & Visitation

Odessa Child Custody Lawyer

Your marriage didn't work, but you owe it to your child to make the custody agreement work.

At our Odessa law firm, Tidwell & Tidwell, our attorneys help parents and children involved in divorce with negotiation, mediation, modification, and enforcement of child custody and visitation orders, now known as parenting schedules. If the original custody agreement is carefully drafted, reasonable accommodations for changes in the situation of the child or parent should not be difficult. If you are looking for an attorney to help with a child custody proceeding, contact our office and make arrangements for a free consultation.

In Texas, there is no question whose side the court is supposed to be on in a divorce - the court is to see to the best interests of the children. The court's preference is to assign joint legal custody, where the parents make decisions together about education, religion, and medical care. In some cases the court will assign sole custody to one parent, and the other parent will have no input into those matters.

The courts have applied the term "standard possession order" to an outline for minimum parenting time. Its guidelines apply to children over three years old. The court is usually willing to adjust those guidelines if given a reason, or if the parents agree. The standard possession and conservatorship order considers birthdays, school holidays, weekly visitation, and other factors.

In cases where children are less than three years old, the court has wide latitude to define the parenting time order, and it is very important that a parent be represented by a child custody lawyer to protect his or her rights. In either case, our attorneys encourage parents to work with their ex-spouses to flex for the children's needs rather than rigidly following the guidelines.

The parents, or conservators, must comply with the order. It is not related to child support payments and possession can not be withheld because child support has not been paid.

Grandparents' rights: Texas does recognize the rights of grandparents to maintain a relationship with their children. Typically an access order might allow grandparents to see the children on a Saturday afternoon.

Removal of children from the home by a state agency: If your children have been removed from the home by a state agency, or your access to your child has been restricted, you should contact a lawyer immediately and protect your right to parent your child.

Our West Texas firm also handles other family law matters including divorce, alimony, child support, step-parent adoption, and paternity tests. Se Habla Español.

Tidwell & Tidwell L.L.P., Attorneys at Law

3800 East 42nd Street, Suite 608 • Odessa, TX 79762 • Map & Directions

Phone: 432-552-0441 • Fax: 432-367-8853 • E-mail

Our firm serves clients throughout the Permian Basin, including Midland, Abilene, Pecos, Big Spring, Crane, Andrews, Ft. Stockton, Lubbock, Seminole, Lamesa, Kermit, San Angelo, Monahans, Snyder, and Sweetwater, TX; and Ector, Midland, Howard, Martin, and Andrews Counties.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

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