Free Resources for TX Child Conservatorship Cases

Don't go through the process of determining conservatorship and possession of a child alone. You have plenty of places to turn for support.

In-depth guides

Use the following to lead you through the process of divorcing or separating with children.

• Helping children cope with divorce
• Financial planning through divorce
• Texas guide to child conservatorship and possession

Lawyer Referral and Information Service

The State Bar of Texas has a webpage and hotline (800-252-9690) for connecting with a lawyer.

The lawyer you're referred to will provide a 30-minute consultation for no more than $20. A consultation is a crucial first step, regardless of whether you plan to hire a lawyer. You'll get a professional opinion and will walk away with direction.

The online service is automated. For a more personalized referral, call the hotline; operators can help you in English or Spanish.

Some parts of Texas have their own referral services. The State Bar's service can put you in touch with these, as well.

Texas legal information sites

TexasLawHelp and TexasCourtHelp are websites offered by nonprofit organizations in collaboration with Texas courts.

TexasLawHelp is designed to help Texans with straightforward civil cases. On the site, you can chat with a lawyer or law student, download forms and read articles.

TexasCourtHelp has broader information, including material about criminal cases.

Domestic Relations Offices

Some Texas counties use Domestic Relations Offices (DROs) to help families and courts with cases affecting family relationships:

• Bexar County Domestic Relations Office
• Dallas County Authority for Responsible Enforcement (part of the Dallas DRO)
• El Paso County Domestic Relations Office
• Harris County Domestic Relations Office
• Tarrant County Domestic Relations Office
• Travis County Domestic Relations Office

DROs offer services related to child support, court order enforcement, legal representation for children, custody evaluations, alternative dispute resolution and more.

Access and visitation hotline/website

The Texas Attorney General's Office has a telephone hotline (866-292-4636) and website (txaccess.org) for noncustodial parents. You can get free legal information in English and Spanish about topics including:

• Conservatorship
• Possession of and access to a child
• Establishing paternity
• Child support
• Modifying and enforcing court orders

Texas State Law Library

The law library's self-help section offers books, guides, forms and other resources to help Texans representing themselves in court. If you need help with any of the resources, you can speak to a librarian by email, in person, or at (844) 829-2843. Library staff cannot give legal advice.

Texas also has many county and university law libraries.

Texas Judicial Branch website

For information about the Texas court system and its rules, see txcourts.gov. You'll also find forms and links to other resources.

eFileTexas

You have the option to file your court documents electronically with eFileTexas instead of bringing them to the clerk's office. The website will walk you through the process.

Our professional sources

For more help, consider reaching out to one of our sources. The people and offices below have helped us with the intricacies of conservatorship and possession in Texas, and we hope they can help you, too.

The Bolton Law Firm
Ruby Bolton, Attorney at Law, Certified Family Law Specialist
Tomball, TX

The Branch Law Firm
Betsy Branch, Attorney at Law, Certified Family Law Specialist
Rockwall, TX

Christy Bradshaw Schmidt, Licensed Professional Counselor, Custody Evaluator
Coppell, TX

Dawn E. Fowler Family Law Firm
Dawn Fowler, Attorney at Law, Certified Family Law Specialist
Dallas, TX

GoransonBain Ausley
Anita C. Savage, Attorney at Law, Mediator, Amicus Attorney and Parenting Facilitator
Caroline Galloway, Attorney at Law
Ryan Bauerle, Attorney at Law, Certified Family Law Specialist
Dallas, TX

Harris County Domestic Relations Office
Barbara Lynch Schnack, Director of Family Court Services, JD, LBSW
Houston, TX

Joyce W. Lindauer Law Office
Rebecca J. Thomas, Attorney at Law
Ennis, TX

Noelke Maples St. Leger Bryant
Leigh de la Reza, Partner, Attorney at Law, Certified Family Law Specialist
Austin, TX

Custody X Change app

The process of deciding conservatorship, possession and access requires serious organization. You may need to create a parenting plan, draft multiple possession schedules, track your time with your child, calculate expenses and beyond.

The Custody X Change app enables you to do all of that in one place.

With a parenting plan template, customizable possession calendars, an expense tracker and more, Custody X Change makes sure you're prepared for whatever arises in your journey to conservatorship, possession and access.

Take advantage of our technology to stay on top of all the moving parts of your case.