Texas Custody Myths: What EVERY Parent Gets Wrong

Family law attorney John Setzer breaks down how child custody actually works in Texas, busting two of the most common beliefs parents hold going in: that custody is a prize one parent wins and the other loses, and that a child gets to choose which parent to live with at age 12. He covers conservatorship versus possession and access, the right to designate primary residence, the best interest standard, and the Expanded Standard Possession Order that has quietly shifted the default time split far closer to even. 🌐 https://setzerlawfirm.com 📍 Serving the DFW area, Texas We practice family law exclusively In this video: Why Texas law doesn't even use the word 'custody,' and what conservatorship and possession and access actually mean Why being a joint managing conservator does not mean an even time split The exclusive right to designate the child's primary residence, and why it's one of the most contested issues in a Texas custody case The best interest of the child standard, and the factors judges actually weigh The Expanded Standard Possession Order, and how it has shifted the default schedule from roughly 75/25 to 43-47 percent for the non-primary parent The 12-year-old myth: what actually happens when a child reaches that age, and why hearing a child's preference is not the same as the child deciding Jill and John Setzer have practiced family law exclusively for nearly 20 years in north Texas. This video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. Consult with a qualified attorney about your specific situation. WATCH NEXT: Separate Property (What Counts as Separate Property in Texas?)    • The Texas Divorce Mistake That Destroys Yo...   What Happens to Your House in a Texas Divorce    • What Happens to Your House in a Texas Divorce   Chapters: 0:00 Two Custody Myths Most Parents Believe [est.] 0:45 Conservatorship vs. Possession and Access [est.] 1:40 The Right to Designate Primary Residence [est.] 2:40 The Best Interest of the Child Standard [est.] 3:30 The Expanded Standard Possession Order [est.] 4:50 The 12-Year-Old Myth [est.] 5:50 Hearing a Child's Preference vs. the Child Deciding [est.] #TexasChildCustody #TexasFamilyLaw #ChildCustody #SetzerLawFirm #ConservatorshipTexas #PossessionAndAccess #StandardPossessionOrder #DFWFamilyLaw #TexasDivorce #CustodyLawyer #FamilyLawAttorney #TexasCustodyLaw #ChildCustodyLawyer #BestInterestOfTheChild #TexasLaw