To apply for full custody, known as sole conservatorship in Texas, you must begin by filing a legal petition known as a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) with the clerk of court in the county where the child resides.
In a Petition to Adjudicate Parentage, the court will determine the child's legal parents, usually through DNA testing or other evidence. Once the parentage is established, the court can make decisions about child support, custody, and visitation rights.
Five Tips to Win Custody of a Child in Texas Don't Abandon Your Parental Duties. A judge will look favorably at parents who take an active role in their children's life. Behave Responsibly. Ask for an In-Home Evaluation. Cooperate With Your Ex and the Court. Contact an Experienced San Antonio Child Custody Lawyer.
You must file a SAPCR case in the Texas county where the child lives. Usually, you file in district court, although some Texas counties have courts called “statutory family courts” and “county courts at law” which might be the right venue. If you are not sure, talk to a lawyer who practices law in that county.
Texas law does permit a parent to petition the court to voluntarily relinquish his or her parental rights. It requires an affidavit of voluntary relinquishment, but it also requires a petition, proper service of process, usually an appointment of a guardian ad litem and maybe an attorney ad litem.
How To File For Custody of a Child in Texas Step 1: Determine the Correct Court. Step 2: Complete the Required Forms. Step 3: File the Petition. Step 4: Serve the Other Parent. Step 5: Prepare for Mediation. Step 6: Attend the Court Hearing. Step 7: Follow the Court's Decision.