Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Messy Divorce-What if they were in Texas?

So you may be familiar that after 12 years of being in a relationship, 2 years of marriage, and 6 children later, Angelina Jolie decided to file for divorce from her husband Brad Pitt. Obviously, money was not really the issue for their divorce. For most of us, when we have children, they are the most important beings in our lives. Angelina didn’t like the direction Brad Pitt was headed to and his treatment of the children, so she decided to put an end to it before it was too late.

Some of you may also know that Angelina had requested sole physical custody of the children (equivalent to sole managing conservatorship in Texas). According to sources, Angelina’s request of sole physical custody was based on alleged abusive behavior of Brad Pitt towards the children and his drug abuse problems. Similar allegations can be used in Texas to ask for sole custody. However, the difference in Texas is that there is a presumption that joint custody is in the best interests of the child(ren).

Going through a divorce can be very emotional. When you have children involved, it can be even more stressful and emotional. However, you can have a more pleasant experience if you have a general expectation of what would happen to your children once you have legally separated. For example, who gets to make decisions regarding the children, and who gets to have possession of the children. This blog tries to give you some information so you have a better understanding of the divorce process in Texas and how it affects children.

What is Joint Custody (Joint Managing Conservatorship)?

Joint managing conservatorship (JMC) is when the court grants both parties the rights and duties to make certain decisions except where the child lives (this can only be done by one party). Joint managing conservatorship is presumed to be in the best interest of the child(ren) and the courts will generally award joint managing conservatorship unless one of the parties can convince the court that joint custody is not in the best interest of the child(ren). You can overcome the presumption of joint custody being in the best interest of the child if you can show the court one of the following:

• The other parent has a history of family violence, neglect.
• The other parent has a history of drugs, alcohol or other criminal activity.
• The other parent has been absent from the child’s life.
• the appointment would significantly impair the child’s physical health or emotional development

 Read more about the appointment of sole managing conservator (sole Custody) in our detailed custody page https://atlawoffice.com/our-services/family-divorce/child-custody/

If the court grants JMC it has to appoint a managing conservator and possessory conservator. The managing conservator makes major decisions affecting schooling, medical care, religion, and residence of the child. The Possessory conservator is the person who has access to the child(ren) & makes emergency decisions while in his/her custody. There can be only one managing conservator and it must be a parent, licensed agency, or a competent adult. However, the court may appoint more than one possessory conservator.

In determining custody rights of parents, the court may consider the child’s desires, parental stability, environment of the home, and domestic violence. The court may not favor either parent based on gender or marital status. Below you will find rights and duties shared by the managing and possessory conservators.

• The right to receive information from any other conservator of the children concerning the health, education, and welfare of the children;
• The right to confer with the other parent to the extent possible before making a decision concerning the health, education, and welfare of the children;
• The right of access to medical, dental, psychological, and educational records of the children;
• The right to consult with a physician, dentist, or psychologist of the children;
• The right to consult with school officials concerning the children’s welfare and educational status, including school activities
• The right to attend school activities;
• The right to be designated on the children’s records as a person to be notified in case of an emergency;
• The right to consent to medical, dental, and surgical treatment during an emergency involving an immediate danger to the health and safety of the children; and
• The right to manage the estates of the children to the extent the estates have been created by the parent or the parent’s family.
• The duty to inform the other conservator of the children in a timely manner of significant information concerning the health, education, and welfare of the children; and
• The duty to inform the other conservator of the children if the conservator resides with for at least thirty days, marries, or intends to marry a person who the conservator knows is registered as a sex offender under chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure or is currently charged with an offense for which on conviction the person would be required to register under that chapter.

A.T. Law Firm

Do you have any questions regarding custody of your children? It is important to speak to a custody attorney in Spring, TX, North Houston, Woodlands, Klein, Tomball, Cypress, FM 1960, Galveston, and surrounding areas, call the A.T. Law Firm for a free consultation. We also travel to different counties including but not limited to Harris County, Montgomery County, Liberty County, Chambers County, Galveston County, Ford Bend County, Waller County, and Brazoria County.