Parental Rights

Parental Rights Attorney in Southlake

Support and Confidence from a Parental Rights Lawyer in Southlake

When your relationship with your child matters most, every decision counts. Law Office of Dana L. White, PLLC, as a trusted parental rights attorney in Southlake, provides guidance rooted in Texas family law. We help parents understand and pursue their rights regarding child custody and support, visitation schedules, and other key related matters. Our clear communication, reliable process, and local focus help families safeguard important parent-child bonds and build a more stable future for everyone involved.

Choosing a parental rights lawyer in Southlake is a significant step. Families across Tarrant County experience situations shaped by the area’s unique family court approaches and local school district policies. Our team identifies these factors during each consultation, tailoring legal advice to what works best for your real-world circumstances. Whether you’ve just moved or are a long-time Southlake resident, we break down Texas law to show how it directly applies to your parental role and next steps with your child.


Facing custody or support challenges? Our parental rights attorney in Southlake is ready to advocate for your rights. Call (817) 697-0180 or contact us online.


Parental Rights Legal Services in Southlake, TX

At Law Office of Dana L. White, PLLC, our parental rights attorney in Southlake helps parents protect their rights under Texas law while keeping the process clear and manageable. In Tarrant County, courts often favor joint custody, but specific rights must be clearly outlined in a court order to be enforceable. Our firm guides you through this process so you know exactly what your legal rights mean for you and your child. We assist parents in Southlake with:

  • Decision-Making Authority: Safeguarding your ability to make key decisions about your child’s education, medical care, and upbringing.
  • Access to Records: Protecting your right to view your child’s medical, school, and psychological records so you stay fully informed.
  • Parenting Time: Helping set or adjust visitation schedules that allow consistent, meaningful time with your child.
  • Primary Residence: Representing your interest in designating where your child primarily lives, often within Southlake or Tarrant County.

If your parental rights are being challenged or you need to modify a custody or conservatorship order, contact Law Office of Dana L. White, PLLC today. Our Southlake legal team provides clear guidance and practical support to help parents protect their relationship with their children.

Why Southlake Parents Choose Law Office of Dana L. White, PLLC for Parental Rights Cases

Parents who work with Law Office of Dana L. White, PLLC benefit from our experience with Southlake’s legal landscape. We go beyond forms and filings by providing practical resources, regular updates, and straightforward guidance, which all contribute to a steady process. Many parents in the area seek reassurance during uncertain times. Our process delivers clarity and consistent support throughout each stage of your parental rights case. With our firm, you can expect:

  • Clear and timely communication: We keep you informed, answer your questions promptly, and outline each next step in your case.
  • In-depth familiarity with Texas family law: We help you navigate Southlake courts and local issues with practical, place-specific advice.
  • Empathetic support for families: Our approach respects your priorities, listens to your goals, and adapts to your family’s changing needs.

How Our Parental Rights Attorney in Southlake Supports Local Families

Texas law prioritizes the parent-child relationship and supports parents' involvement in their children’s lives unless a child’s safety is at legitimate risk. Whether you want to protect your parenting time, respond to allegations that could affect your status, or simply better understand your family’s legal rights, our parental rights lawyer in Southlake gives clear, practical guidance every step of the way.

Families come to us with different needs. We start by listening to your unique story. During our initial meeting, we’ll discuss how Southlake judges typically approach conservatorship—especially in cases involving blended families, relocation, or significant life changes. Local courts look at the whole family situation and often place weight on changes like moves, new jobs, or arrangement modifications that can affect a child’s well-being. Working together, we help you:

  • Understand your legal rights under Texas family law, including the principles of joint and sole managing conservatorship
  • Clarify how possession, access, and major life decisions for your child are handled in Southlake courts
  • Review and explain the impact of current court orders, separation agreements, divorce, or life changes on your parental rights
  • Offer straightforward assessments built on experience with Southlake and Tarrant County judges

Your Step-by-Step Path to Asserting Parental Rights in Southlake

When you want to understand your legal position or adjust a parenting arrangement, our parental rights attorney in Southlake provides clear steps designed for local families:

  • Initial consultation and case evaluation: Share your concerns and receive direct feedback about legal paths forward.
  • Collection and review of documents: Gather and organize any records, agreements, and key details supporting your rights.
  • Understanding court process and local context: Learn how Southlake’s judges interpret Texas law and what regional considerations may impact your case.
  • Practical communication strategies: Build strong channels for discussing your child’s needs, reducing misunderstandings, and minimizing unnecessary conflict.
  • Planning for stability: Move forward prepared for both the immediate process and long-term changes that protect your connection with your child.

Working with a parental rights lawyer deeply familiar with Southlake and Tarrant County court procedures brings a clear advantage. Local courts may require specific processes, like mediation or a parenting plan, before making final decisions. We help ensure you have all the information and documents ready so that you keep pace with any court-required scheduling or communications. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What legal rights do parents have in Southlake, TX?

Parents have the right to make important decisions regarding their child’s care, education, and upbringing unless a court order restricts those rights.

Can a parent lose rights in Texas?

Yes, courts may terminate parental rights if there is clear evidence of endangerment or voluntary relinquishment, but only after a thorough review of all circumstances.

How do Southlake courts decide custody disputes?

Judges focus on the child’s best interests, reviewing each parent’s relationship with the child, ability to provide a safe environment, and the preferences of older children where appropriate.

What steps should I take if I believe my parental rights are being violated?

Keep detailed notes of incidents and consult a parental rights attorney in Southlake as soon as possible. Early guidance can ensure your concerns are addressed before the situation escalates.

Is joint custody always guaranteed in Southlake?

No. While Texas law often favors joint managing conservatorship, exceptions exist when a parent’s involvement could endanger the child’s safety or well-being.

Contact a Parental Rights Attorney in Southlake Today

Understanding your legal options can provide reassurance and help you take the next step forward. Reach out to Law Office of Dana L. White, PLLC for a private consultation. You’ll receive tailored guidance on your parental rights situation from a team that respects your family’s concerns, local processes, and specific goals. 


Your relationship with your child matters. Let our parental rights attorney in Southlake help you protect it. Call (817) 697-0180 or contact Law Office of Dana L. White, PLLC today.


Frequently Asked Questions

  • There is a minimum statutory requirement of at least 60 days from the date of filing; however, divorces are rarely finalized in that period of time. If the case goes to trial, it may take two years or more. The actual time required depends upon many factors, including but not limited to:

    • What issues are contested, and how contested are those issues
    • The amount of debt and property to be divided
    • The level of “discovery” or research that is required
    • Whether or not minor children are involved
    • The level of cooperation with your attorney
    • The schedules of the court and the attorneys

    Thus, the time involved in getting a divorce depends on all of the circumstances and every case is different. If you and your spouse agree on most of the aspects of your separation, such as child custody and property division, your divorce may proceed quickly. However, if you and your spouse have a contentious relationship or disagree on matters like property division, child custody, possession orders, and child support, it can take much longer, possibly even over a year. The Law Office of Dana L. White appreciates and recognizes that you want to resolve your divorce quickly, and we diligently work and represent on your behalf to ensure a timely and efficient process in conformance with the quality of our representation.

  • Texas law distinguishes between community property and separate property:

    • Community Property – All property, other than separate property, acquired by either spouse during the marriage.
    • Separate Property – Property that was owned prior to marriage; property received during the marriage by gift or inheritance; and property obtained via recovery for personal injuries, except for the loss of income during the marriage.
  • Yes, if circumstances have changed in a material and substantial way, you may request modifications to your custody order. Typically, this is done in the same court that issued the original order. You will also have to prove that the change you seek is in the child’s best interest. Our team of lawyers at the Law Office of Dana L. White can assist you with building a convincing case that will show your need for a modification.

  • The orders that were created during your divorce proceedings are legally binding and must be followed. If your ex-partner is in violation of the court order and is failing to uphold their end of the agreement, you can take legal action to hold them accountable. The Law Office of Dana L. White is here to assist you in your efforts to enforce orders of the court.

  • Some common reasons why our clients choose a Will with a Living Trust:

    • If a person owns real property in another state, having a Living Trust will avoid the necessity for two probate proceedings, one in each state, which makes a Living Trust more desirable than a Will.
    • A Living Trust provides a significant lifetime advantage if a person becomes incapacitated. With a Living Trust, the trust assets will continue to be managed for the person’s benefit by the successor trustee without the necessity for a court-supervised guardianship proceeding.
    • Another advantage of a Living Trust over a Will is that once assets are transferred into the trust, they will be controlled by and eventually distributed as specified in the trust agreement. A Will, on the other hand, only controls the disposition of assets that become part of the court-supervised probate proceeding.
    • Many types of assets pass automatically at the owner’s death outside of the probate process, including property held in joint tenancy or pay-on-death form, life insurance, and retirement accounts. These types of assets pass to a designated beneficiary regardless of what the owner’s Will may say. So, the estate plan contained in a person’s Will can easily and inadvertently be defeated by forms of title that avoid probate. This problem is minimized with a Living Trust where title to assets is held by the trust, or the trust is named as the designated beneficiary.
    • Privacy is another advantage of having a Living Trust. With a Will and a court-supervised probate proceeding, an inventory of a decedent’s estate becomes a matter of public record. A Living Trust, on the other hand, is privately managed and not subject to public scrutiny.