Travis And Williamson Counties Custody And Support Modification Attorney
Life rarely stays the same after a divorce or custody agreement. Severn Family Law helps parents navigate modification of court orders when circumstances change.
I am Jennifer Severn, and I bring over 15 years of experience helping families update custody arrangements while keeping children’s needs at the center. As a native Texan and former assistant attorney general for child support, I understand how Texas courts evaluate modification requests in Travis and Williamson counties.
Why Parents Seek Modification Of Court Orders
Your original custody order made sense at the time. However, months or years later, that arrangement might no longer work. Courts recognize that life evolves. Parents change jobs, relocate or face new challenges. Children grow older, and their needs shift.
Custody modifications allow you to request updates to your custody order when significant changes occur. These modifications can address visitation rights, living arrangements or other provisions that no longer serve your child’s best interests.
Parents request modification of court orders for many valid reasons. These include:
- Job loss or major income changes affecting your ability to provide care
- One parent relocating to a different city or state
- Your child’s evolving needs as they grow older
- Safety concerns about the other parent’s home environment
- A parent’s remarriage or a significant change in living situation
- Repeated violations of the existing custody arrangement
- New work schedules conflicting with current visitation rights
What matters most is whether proposed changes genuinely serve your child’s interests.
What Counts As A Material And Substantial Change In Circumstances
Texas courts generally require proof of a material and substantial change in circumstances and that the requested modification is in the child’s best interest. This means showing that something significant has happened since the judge signed your original agreement.
A parent’s job relocation to another state qualifies because it affects where your child lives and visitation frequency. Documented patterns of neglect or substance abuse also meet this standard. Courts in Travis and Williamson counties take these situations seriously.
However, normal life adjustments usually do not qualify. Your ex getting a new partner or your child preferring one home typically will not convince a judge to change custody. Courts need concrete evidence that the current arrangement no longer works for your child.
Types Of Orders We Help Modify
I help families modify custody orders, visitation schedules and child support amounts. You may need to adjust conservatorship rights, update medical support provisions or change how parents share expenses. Each modification depends on your family’s specific circumstances.
The Process For Requesting Modification Cases
Texas courts require proof of material and substantial changes before approving custody modifications. You must show that circumstances have changed significantly since the original order. Courts then evaluate whether your proposed changes benefit your child custody situation.
I start by reviewing your current order and the changes you’ve experienced. Then, I file a petition to modify with the appropriate court in Travis or Williamson County. If you both agree, we can submit an agreed modification for the judge’s approval. If not, we prepare for a hearing where I present evidence supporting your request.
My extensive courtroom experience helps me build strong arguments for modification. I have won many jury trials by focusing on what children need and presenting clear evidence that courts find persuasive.
Strong documentation makes a difference in modification cases. As a modification attorney who spent over a decade as assistant attorney general for child support, I understand the types of evidence courts in Georgetown, Williamson County, Travis County, Burnet County and Austin often find persuasive in modification cases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Custody Modifications
Parents facing modification situations often have urgent questions about timing and legal options. Here are answers to common concerns:
How long do I have to wait before requesting a modification to a custody order in Texas?
It depends on the type of modification you seek. Texas does not require a one-year waiting period for every custody modification. However, if you want to change the person with the exclusive right to determine the child’s primary residence within one year of the current order, additional legal requirements apply. In those cases, you may file sooner in limited circumstances, such as when the child’s current environment may endanger their physical health or significantly impair their emotional development, the other parent agrees to the change or the law otherwise allows it.
A child who is at least 12 years old may express a preference to the judge, but that preference alone does not determine the outcome. The court must also find that the requested modification is in the child’s best interest.
What if the other parent violates the existing order? Is that grounds for modification?
Violations alone do not automatically justify modification. Courts distinguish between enforcement and modification. If the other parent consistently ignores the order, you may need to file an enforcement action first. However, a pattern of violations that harms your child can support a modification request. For example, if the other parent repeatedly denies you court-ordered visitation and this damages your relationship with your child, that pattern may qualify as a material change.
Can I modify my custody agreement without going to court?
In some cases, yes. If both parents agree to changes, you can file an agreed modification. The court still must approve it, but the process may move faster and cost less.
Contact Severn Family Law Today
Need to update your custody order? Call 737-977-8151 or use our access form to discuss your situation and explore your options.