I need help on Joint Custody work?

Question

I'm doing my own divorce and we both agreed on joint custody. I am trying to find how to put it in legal terms for a texas divorce. Anybody with joint custody with minor children please respond? Everything helps.

Answer 1

i have had a divorce with minor children in texas i can tell you my friend that the time and little bit of money that you need for this is well worth it.. vs.... doing to do all the legal verbage and terminology yourself.... something you have to think about.... no matter what you meant to put on your divorce...if there is something on there, then that is what the law recognizes.... in other words, if you use the phrase," custodial parent will have visitation rights whenever possible", this could have adverse effects in the future... trust me i have been through this... and besides that, you can find a lawyer like i did that will work with you on a payment plan.... all i had to do was pay 75-100 dollars a month until paid for... and it is worth every penny especially considering the intracasies of texas law.. hope this helps

Answer 2

Does she have an attorney? If she does, you need to get one. Joint Managing Conservatorship(Custody) works a little different in Texas as apposed to other places. I should know. Even with joint custody, one person will be named the Primary Managing Conservator. The establish residency, and things of that nature. Most likely, it will be her. The average is 8 out of 10 times, the mother is made this. Now, here is where it will get interesting. Even though it is "joint custody", you will still be required to pay child support. To my knowledge, she can't refuse it. You will also be required by Texas law to carry the child(ren) on your insurance, or if it is cheaper for them to be on hers, reimburse her for that cost. Now, my visitation is set at 1/2 the time with me, and 1/2 with her. But, I still pay child support. I pay $1500 a year in insurance premiums, but we split everything after insurance.

So, it is best to get an attorney, especially if she has one. If you get divorced in TX, and you are the man/ father, get ready to pay. There is no way around it.

Now, I don't have a problem with child support for those who never see there kids. But, I am paying half the expenses for the kids over at my ex's house, and all the expenses for when they are with me.

All marital assets are split, as well as debt accumalated by either party during the marriage. Anything you brought into the marriage goes with you when it is over.

Best to get an attorney. Most people who do their own divorces have no assets and no children.

It costs about $240 just to file for divorce at the clerks office, and there is a 60 dat waiting period.

There is likely a lot more than this, but I am pulling off the top of my head. Email me through YahooAnswers, and I will answer anymore questions.

Answer 3

When you say joint custody - do you really mean shared custody? A lot of people get this confused. Just make sure it's defined who have has custody of the child(ren). If you're sharing custody then define who will have them when and for how long.

Doing your own divorce when children are involved is tricky. You might want to consult with an attorney on this or hire one to make sure you're not overlooking anything.

Answer 4

I have joint custody but the kids live with me...do you have an attorney? If not search legal help to find out how to do it yourself. I paid a ton of money I didn't have in legal fees...it sucks, the kids could use the money more than the attorneys. Good luck

Answer 5

You should go to a paralegal- they will charge you a fraction of what an attorney will charge you and they will ensure the proper verbiage in your docs is there. You would still be "In Pro Per"- just getting some legal doc help.

Answer 6

go online and search for a texas joint custody outline .. and just copy that or whatever parts u want of it.. add what u want, delete what u want ect..