Child Custody Attorney in Conroe, Houston & Montgomery County, TX
Conservatorship, possession schedules, custody modifications, and CPS defense for parents in Conroe, Houston, Montgomery County, Harris County, and surrounding areas. Free consultations available.
Child Custody Representation in Conroe, Houston, Montgomery County & Harris County
Child custody disputes are among the most emotionally charged legal matters a parent can face. The outcome determines how much time you spend with your children, who makes decisions about their education and healthcare, and how your family moves forward after a separation or divorce. Our firm handles custody matters across Montgomery County, Harris County, and surrounding areas — whether your case is filed in Conroe or in Houston.
Texas uses the term conservatorship rather than custody. Understanding the types of conservatorship, how possession schedules work, and what courts look for when evaluating parenting arrangements is essential to building an effective legal strategy in Montgomery County family courts.
Our attorneys have represented parents in child custody matters across Montgomery County and Harris County family courts for over fifteen years — including contested custody litigation, SAPCR proceedings, modifications, and enforcement actions.
When Both Parents Agree — Uncontested Custody Modifications
Not every custody matter requires contested litigation. When both parents have already agreed on changes to an existing custody order — possession schedule adjustments, geographic restriction changes, or other modifications — the process can often move faster and at significantly lower cost than a litigated modification.
An informal agreement between parents, even one documented in writing, is not legally enforceable on its own. Only a court-signed order can be enforced through contempt proceedings. If you and the other parent have reached an agreement, getting it properly entered as a court order is a critical final step.
Qualifying agreed custody modifications may be handled through 2500Divorce.com — attorney-guided, flat-fee, and designed for parents who have agreed on all terms. A licensed attorney manages drafting, filing, and court approval from start to finish.
Types of Conservatorship in Texas
Texas law distinguishes between legal rights — who makes decisions about the child — and physical possession — where the child lives and when.
Joint Managing Conservatorship (JMC)
The most common arrangement in Texas. Both parents share rights and duties, including decisions about education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. JMC does not mean equal time — one parent is typically designated to establish primary residence, subject to a geographic restriction.
Sole Managing Conservatorship (SMC)
One parent is granted exclusive rights to make decisions for the child. Courts award SMC when joint conservatorship would significantly impair the child's physical health or emotional development — typically in cases involving family violence, substance abuse, neglect, or a parent's inability to cooperate.
Possessory Conservatorship
The non-primary parent is typically named possessory conservator, with court-ordered possession and access. The schedule is usually the Texas Standard Possession Order or a modified arrangement agreed upon by the parties and approved by the court.
The Best Interest of the Child Standard
All Texas custody decisions are governed by the best interest of the child standard. Courts evaluate each parent's involvement in the child's daily life, the stability of each home environment, the child's relationships with siblings and extended family, each parent's physical and mental health, any history of family violence or substance abuse, and — for children 12 and older — the child's own expressed preference.
Understanding how these factors are weighed in practice — not just in statute — is where experience in Montgomery County and Harris County family courts matters. Our attorneys have worked through these evaluations extensively and understand what courts and evaluators look for in custody determinations.
⚠️ CPS Involvement?
If CPS has opened a case involving your children, contact an attorney immediately. How you respond to a CPS investigation in the early stages can significantly affect the outcome. We can help you understand the process and protect your parental rights.
Contact us immediately →Our Office
141 N. San Jacinto Street
Conroe, TX 77301
Mon–Thu: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Fri: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Sat–Sun: By Appointment
Key Child Custody Concepts in Texas
The default schedule for the non-primary parent. Includes alternating weekends, Thursday evening visits during the school year, alternating holidays, and extended summer possession. Courts can modify the SPO based on the child's needs and the parents' circumstances.
The parent designated to establish the child's primary residence determines where the child lives, subject to any geographic restriction. Courts frequently restrict primary residence to a specific county or adjacent counties.
Moving a child outside a court-ordered geographic area without the other parent's consent or a court order violates the custody order. Relocation disputes are among the most complex custody matters — early legal intervention is essential.
A child 12 or older may express a preference to the court regarding primary residence. The court considers this preference but is not bound by it — the best interest standard governs the final determination.
Existing orders can be modified when there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances. Common grounds include relocation, changes in the child's needs, or a significant change in either parent's situation. When both parents agree, a flat-fee uncontested modification may be available.
The Custody Process in Texas — Conroe & Houston
File or Respond
Custody proceedings may be initiated as part of a divorce, a SAPCR, or a modification of an existing order. We begin with a thorough assessment of your situation and goals before filing anything.
Temporary Orders
In most contested cases, temporary orders are established early to govern custody while the case is pending. These interim arrangements often influence the final outcome — getting them right matters from the start.
Mediation
Both Montgomery County and Harris County courts require mediation before most contested custody trials. Many cases resolve at this stage. We approach mediation as seriously as trial preparation — settlement terms become enforceable court orders.
Final Order
Whether reached through agreement or trial, the final order establishes conservatorship rights, the possession schedule, geographic restrictions, and child support. We work to ensure the order is specific, enforceable, and built to last.
Child Custody Attorneys Near You
We represent parents in Conroe, Houston, The Woodlands, Spring, Cypress, Humble, Katy, and communities throughout Montgomery County, Harris County, Fort Bend County, Brazoria County, and Waller County.
Child Custody FAQ — Texas
Meet the Attorneys at Fritz & Phillips
As a mother of many teenagers, Jessica understands firsthand the importance of family stability and what is truly at stake in the cases she handles. She approaches every matter with a focus on clear communication, practical strategy, and results that reflect the realities of her clients' lives. She is the co-founder of 2500Divorce.com, a flat-fee uncontested divorce service serving Texas families.
Keith became a licensed mediator in 2020, and that perspective shapes how he approaches every case — focused on practical, efficient resolution while fully prepared to litigate when necessary. He is the co-founder of 2500Divorce.com and a father of five.
Serving Greater Houston & Surrounding Counties
This firm represents clients throughout Montgomery, Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria, and Waller Counties — with our office based in Conroe, steps from the Montgomery County Family Law Courts.
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Attorney advertising. Fritz and Phillips, PC is a Texas law firm. The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or establish an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Jessica Fritz (TX Bar 2008) and Keith Phillips (TX Bar 2016) are the attorneys responsible for this content.