McKinney is a close-knit community that values family. When parents face difficult decisions about child custody matters such as conservatorship, possession schedules, modifications, and co-parenting, we’ve been there to help. Since 2017, Hargrave Family Law has helped families in McKinney handle child custody matters with dignity and a focus on protecting what matters most – their family’s future.
In Texas, courts do not use the term “custody.” Instead, the law refers to conservatorship, which determines each parent’s rights and responsibilities, including decisions about education, medical care, and where the child lives. The term “possession” is used when addressing how parenting time is divided.
Our team of attorneys understand how local courts in Collin County approach these issues, and work together with clients to prepare every case with a clear and intentional strategy focused on the child’s best interest. With attorneys and paralegals Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and recognized among Best Lawyers in America® and Best Firms in America® every year since 2013, Hargrave Family Law is skilled in using non-adversarial strategies whenever possible to reduce conflict and help families move forward with confidence.
If you are establishing an initial parenting plan or seeking a modification, our team is here to help you make informed and empowered decisions for your family’s future.
Our Child Custody Services in McKinney
- Conservatorship
- Possession and Access
- Parenting Plans
- Custody Modifications
- Emergency Custody Orders
- Temporary Custody Orders
- Parental Rights and Duties
- Primary Custody Disputes
- Joint Managing Conservatorship
- Sole Managing Conservatorship
- Geographic Restrictions
- Relocation Cases
- Custody Mediation
WE WILL SPEAK FOR YOUR RIGHTS
Contact us for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your options. You may find that you are entitled to payment if your claim was denied or underpaid.
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Why Choose Hargrave Family Law For Your McKinney Child Custody Case
Board-Certified Family Law Experience
Our team includes attorneys and paralegals with Board Certification in Family Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction earned by a small percentage of Texas attorneys and paralegals. The firm is also consistently selected for Tier 1 Best Law Firms® recognition.
A Non-Adversarial, Collaborative Approach
Not every custody case needs a courtroom battle. Our team prioritizes resolution-focused strategies that protect your children from the fallout of drawn-out litigation. We keep you focused on your family’s future and solutions that will allow your children to thrive.
Empowering Clients to Make Informed Decisions
You will never be pressured to make a decision you do not understand. Our team provides the information and resources needed to empower you to stay in control of your decisions for your family’s future.
Connection That Lasts Beyond the Case
At Hargrave Family Law, we check in monthly with our clients personally, not just regarding the legal matter, offering resources and support throughout your case as well as long after the case closes.
Convenient McKinney-Area Access
We maintain a McKinney office in addition to our Dallas location, giving Collin County families direct access to experienced legal counsel close to home.
How Texas Courts Decide Custody
In Texas, judges base every custody decision on the best interest of the child .Courts look at specific, concrete factors when deciding conservatorship, parental rights, and how parenting time should be divided.
Factors judges may consider include:
- Each parent’s ability to provide a stable, safe home environment
- The emotional and physical needs of the child
- Which parent has been the primary caregiver
- Any history of family violence, abuse, or neglect
- Each parent’s willingness to support a healthy relationship between the child and the other parent
Rarely, the child’s preference may be considered if the child is 12 or older and the judge chooses to interview the child in chambers. Even when a child expresses a preference, the judge is not required to follow it. The court weighs that preference alongside safety concerns, stability, substance abuse, family violence, and any pattern of harmful behavior.
Understanding these factors helps parents prepare rather than react. Working with an attorney who knows how McKinney judges apply these standards can also make a meaningful difference in negotiations.
Collaborative Custody Solutions vs Litigation
Many McKinney parents assume custody disputes must end in warfare in a courtroom. We have found that they rarely have to. Collaborative custody approaches and mediation give families faster, less costly, and less destructive paths to resolution. Most courts actively encourage mediation, with many judges now requiring it.
In a collaborative process, both parents work with their attorneys to negotiate parenting arrangements outside of court, focusing on the best interest of the children. Each side pursues reaching an agreement without asking a judge to make the decisions for them.
According to the Texas Children’s Commission, seven Texas courts reported settlement rates above 90% in mediated child protection matters, showing how effective these approaches can be.
Litigation means you are giving up the power to decide to a judge, who will decide your schedule, your holidays, and your decision-making rights based on default Texas Family Code guidelines and very limited courtroom testimony and evidence. Collaborative methods let you and your co-parent shape those outcomes by placing the children’s best interests first, crafting solutions that fit your unique family.
Hargrave Family Law uses these collaborative techniques as part of your strategy, empowering you to work toward resolution first and resorting to courtroom advocacy only when necessary. This approach aligns with the core values of many of our clients, allowing families to start over and actually heal. When parents craft their own custody agreement, children benefit from the value of cooperation over conflict.
About Hargrave Family Law
At Hargrave Family Law, we have served families across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex since 2017. Led by Jennifer Hargrave, we operate out of our Dallas and McKinney offices to serve clients across the Dallas Metroplex, giving Texas families direct access to a skilled team that knows our local courts and judges.
We are a boutique practice built around the idea that families deserve better than scorched-earth litigation. We empower clients to walk through family law disputes with dignity, focusing on the future they want to build for their family.
Every attorney on our team is trained in collaborative and non-adversarial strategies designed to protect children and keep parents focused on their children’s future. With 4.9 stars from 230+ client reviews across both locations, the results speak for themselves. We place client empowerment and support at the forefront, equipping you to build a solid foundation for your future that allows your children to thrive.
Our Process for McKinney Families
1. Initial Contact
You reach out to our firm and connect with a Client Care Coordinator who gathers the basics and schedules your complimentary case evaluation.
2. Case Evaluation
You meet remotely with our Client Intake Specialist to discuss your concerns, goals, and what matters most for your family. Together, you explore your options, whether that means retaining our team, consulting with an attorney, or taking time to consider next steps.
3. Attorney Consultation
If your situation calls for it, you meet with one of our attorneys for a paid consultation to dive deeper into strategy and legal options specific to your case under Texas family law.
4. Your Legal Team Takes Over
Once you retain us, your dedicated legal team will work with you to build a custody strategy tailored to your family. Across the DFW Metroplex, that means understanding Texas law, local court expectations and focusing on resolution over conflict.
5. Ongoing Personal Support
Your Client Care Coordinator checks in monthly not about your case, but about you. They connect you with resources and support to help you and your family through the process.
6. Post-Case Check-Ins
After your case closes, we stay in touch with annual check-ins to make sure you have the support you need as you move forward into your next chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Custody
Can a judge in Texas change custody if one parent is constantly talking badly about the other in front of the kids?
Maybe. A judge can consider one parent’s pattern of disparaging the other as a factor when evaluating the best interest of the child under Texas Family Code Section 153.002. If you can document repeated incidents through text messages, witness statements, or therapist notes, this evidence may support a modification request, especially if it is negatively affecting the child.
If my ex and I agreed on custody outside of court, can that agreement still be enforced legally in Texas?
No. An informal agreement between parents is not enforceable on its own. For a custody arrangement to carry legal weight in Texas, it must be filed with and approved by a judge as part of a formal order. Once a judge signs off, both parents are legally bound to its terms.
How does a Texas court decide which parent gets primary custody when both parents are equally involved?
Texas judges look at the totality of circumstances under the “best interest of the child” standard. Factors include each parent’s living situation, ability to provide for the child, work schedule, proximity to the child’s school, emotional bond with the child, and willingness to support the other parent’s relationship. There is no automatic preference for mothers or fathers.
What happens to custody if I need to relocate for work but my ex refuses to agree to a new arrangement?
Relocation disputes are among the most common contested custody issues. If your current order has a geographic restriction, you will need to file a modification and demonstrate that the move serves the child’s best interest. The court will weigh factors like the reason for the move, the impact on the child’s relationship with the other parent, and available visitation alternatives.
Is it true that Texas courts prefer to give custody to mothers over fathers?
No. Texas law does not favor either parent based on gender. The Texas Family Code requires courts to consider the best interest of the child without a presumption in favor of mothers or fathers. In practice, judges evaluate both parents equally as to parenting involvement, stability, and ability to meet the child’s needs.
Can grandparents get custody or visitation rights in Texas if the parents are going through a divorce?
Maybe. Texas does allow grandparents to seek court-ordered access under limited circumstances. A grandparent must show that denying access would significantly impair the child’s physical health or emotional well-being. If you are a grandparent concerned about a child’s welfare during a divorce, talking with a qualified family law attorney early to learn about your options can save significant time and emotional energy.
How long does a typical custody case take to resolve in Collin County?
It depends. Timelines vary widely depending on whether both parties cooperate or are mired in conflict. A straightforward, uncontested custody arrangement can be finalized in a few months. Contested cases that require hearings, formal discovery, custody evaluations, or trial in the Collin County courts may take several months to over a year or more.
What is a custody evaluation, and should I be worried if one is ordered in my case?
A custody evaluation is an assessment conducted by an outside licensed professional who interviews both parents, observes the children, and may review records before making recommendations to the court regarding custody decisions. A custody evaluation being ordered by the judge is not automatically a red flag. Judges order evaluations when they need additional neutral insight into the family dynamic or the effect of issues such as inability to coparent, substance abuse, or parental alienation claims.
What Clients Say About Hargrave Family Law
“The staff here was always responsive, clear in their communication, and truly made a difficult process much easier for everyone involved.” – Jeremy Y.
Clear communication can change the entire experience of a divorce or family law case. Hargrave Family Law keeps clients informed, ensures client questions are answered, and helps make a difficult process feel more manageable from start to finish.
“Hargrave law firm handled my case with precision and in a timely manner.” – Keri H.
Clients come to Hargrave Family Law when they need strategic legal advocacy and dependable follow-through. Our team brings structure, preparation, and attention to detail to family law matters where timing and precision can make a real difference.
“They were personable, caring, thorough and have been amazing all around.” – Liz R.
Family law clients need both strong legal support and recognition that there is a very real human aspect at play as well. Hargrave Family Law combines strategic case preparation with a personal approach, helping clients feel respected, heard, and supported during a stressful time.
“They were very patient with me and fought hard to get me what I wanted.” – Daine C.
Custody and family law issues can bring with them frustration, uncertainty, and emotional fatigue. Hargrave Family Law gives clients patient guidance and access to resources while also fiercely advocating for the best outcome for your family.
Local Resources in McKinney For Child Custody
- Collin County Courthouse
- Collin County Clerk’s Office
- Collin County Child Support Office
- Collin County Alternative Dispute Resolution Program
- Collin County Standing Order on Children, Property, and Conduct of Parties
- Texas Attorney General Child Support Division
- Texas Law Help
- Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center
- Collin County District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit
- McKinney Police Department Victim Assistance
- The Family Place – Collin County Counseling Center
- Hope’s Door New Beginning Center
- McKinney ISD Student Support Services
- One Heart McKinney
- 2-1-1 Texas
- Putting Kids First – Collin County Parenting Class
Start with a Confidential Case Evaluation
Every custody situation is different, and you deserve clarity about your options before making any decisions. At Hargrave Family Law, we offer a complimentary case evaluation with our Client Intake Specialist to help you understand your options for next steps. This is a private, no-pressure conversation designed to empower you with the information and resources you need to make an informed decision for you and your children.
You do not have to handle this alone. Reach out to schedule your confidential case evaluation today. We’re here to help.
