If you have been looking into the process of getting a divorce in Texas, but you and your spouse have children together, you may have come across a term known as conservatorship. This word can have different definitions depending on the state in which it is being used. 

For example, a conservatorship in California is not defined in the same way as conservatorships in Texas. In the state of California, a conservatorship is regarded as a dynamic in which one adult is appointed to care for another adult. Conversely, in the eyes of the law in Texas, a conservatorship is synonymous with child custody. 

That said, you will not see the term "child custody" in any legal documents defining the law in Texas. Rather, it will always be referred to as a conservatorship. 

When two parents get divorced, the decision surrounding who will receive child custody rights can be very stressful. If both parents are active participants in their children’s lives, the mere thought of not being able to see their child play during a sports game or drop their kid off for school can be gut-wrenching. 

Thankfully, not all divorces end in total custody being awarded to one parent. In many cases, shared custody is a viable option. While the public opinion is often that mothers are favored in child custody cases, fathers have rights as well.  So, the answer to the question of whether or not a father can receive 50/50 custody in a Texas divorce is yes. Fathers’ rights are very important, and while a certain outcome regarding child custody cannot be promised, fathers should certainly pursue equal child custody rights if that is where their heart lies. 

In Texas law, the term for child custody is "conservatorship." However, the term child custody is still sometimes used informally to refer to parents' child-related rights and responsibilities.

If you are thinking about getting a divorce in Texas, but you are also an active duty member of the military, you might be wondering how your active duty status will affect your child custody rights. It is important to recognize that each state differs in its legal approach to the custody rights of military parents. 

Active Duty Parents and Child Custody Rights in Texas

In Texas, parents are considered active-duty military parents if they meet one of three circumstances. According to Texas Family Code 153.701, the law regards military service in the following ways: 

• Temporary military duty 

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Over the last two years, Americans spent more time at home and spending on pets skyrocketed. Because pets feel so integrated into our lives and relationships and take so much work to raise and train, people often feel deeply invested in their pets, making them a very sensitive subject during divorce. If you are considering divorce in Texas and are wondering what will happen to your pet, read on.

Pets are Property Under Texas Law

Although a pet may feel almost like a child, as far as Texas law is concerned, pets are property just like a car or an engagement ring. Texas is a community property state, meaning that all marital property must be split 50/50 in a divorce.

To understand what will likely happen to your pet in a divorce, you must first determine whether a pet is separate property or marital property. If one spouse owned the pet before getting married, the animal is likely separate property and will remain with its original owner after the divorce. But if a pet was acquired after a couple got married, both spouses will likely be seen as the animal’s owners.

Parents are not perfect humans, and everybody makes mistakes. Sometimes a parent makes a mistake that is blown out of proportion; other times, vengeful exes make false accusations to try to gain the upper hand in a custody battle. When this happens, the Texas Child Protective Services (CPS) may get involved and launch an investigation into a parent who has been accused of child abuse.

These investigations are serious and can lead to criminal charges. Even if you believe you are completely innocent, is it important to take the investigation seriously, behave cooperatively, and get an experienced attorney to help you defend your parental rights.

What Can a CPS Investigator Do?

Because a CPS investigator needs to get accurate information about allegations of abuse, the investigator will want to talk to the child who is the victim of the allegations. This interview can happen anywhere, but often takes place when the child is at school. The interview takes place one-on-one, between the child and the investigator, and is recorded.