Areas of Law · Crone Law PLLC
Child Custody & Support in San Antonio
In a custody case, the children are the point. Everything else, the schedule, the labels, the money, exists to serve their stability.
Conservatorship, Possession, and Support
Texas talks in terms of conservatorship (decision-making), possession and access (the schedule), and child support. These are decided under a best-interest standard, in an original case or by modification when circumstances change. The Family Code says it plainly: the best interest of the child is always the court’s primary consideration in deciding conservatorship and possession of and access to the child.1 The law also starts from the parents. Unless the evidence shows that the appointment would significantly impair the child’s physical health or emotional development, the court appoints a parent or both parents as conservators, and it is a rebuttable presumption that naming both parents joint managing conservators is in the child’s best interest.2
For the schedule, the Family Code provides a standard possession order, and Texas law presumes that this order gives a parent reasonable minimum possession and serves the child’s best interest; the facts of your family can support something different.3 Child support follows statutory guidelines tied to the paying parent’s monthly net resources, which is roughly take-home income from most sources after taxes and a few allowed deductions. For most parents the guideline is 20 percent of monthly net resources for one child, 25 percent for two, and 30 percent for three, with a lower schedule for low-income parents.4 Those percentages apply to monthly net resources up to a cap set by law, which is $11,700 effective September 1, 2025, adjusted for inflation every six years.5
Orders are not frozen. A court may modify conservatorship or the schedule when modification is in the child’s best interest and circumstances have materially and substantially changed, when a child 12 or older tells the judge a preference in chambers, or when the parent with the exclusive right to designate the child’s residence has voluntarily given primary care of the child to someone else for at least six months.6 Child support can be revisited on a material and substantial change in circumstances, or after three years when the order differs by 20 percent or $100 from what the guidelines would call for today.7 Grandparents have a separate, narrower path: a biological or adoptive grandparent may ask the court for possession of or access to a grandchild, but the law requires a showing that denying it would significantly impair the child’s physical health or emotional well-being.8
What to Expect
We build a clear, child-centered case, document what matters, and push for arrangements that actually work in real life. When parents can agree, we get it in writing; when they cannot, we are ready for the courtroom.
- Parents establishing custody for the first time
- Parents who need to modify an existing order
- Unmarried parents establishing rights and support
- Grandparents and others seeking access
Common Questions
How does a Texas court decide custody?
By the best interest of the child. We help you show the court what that looks like in your family.
Can a custody or support order be changed?
Yes, by modification when circumstances have materially changed. We handle both original orders and modifications.
How is child support calculated?
Texas uses statutory guidelines based largely on income, with room for the facts of your case.
Sources & Authorities
Statutes and figures on this page link to their official sources. Provided for transparency and general information, not as legal advice.
- Tex. Fam. Code § 153.002, Best Interest of Child (the best interest of the child is always the primary consideration in determining conservatorship and possession of and access to the child). statutes.capitol.texas.gov ↩
- Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131, Presumption That Parent to Be Appointed Managing Conservator (a parent is appointed unless appointment would significantly impair the child’s physical health or emotional development; rebuttable presumption that appointing both parents joint managing conservators is in the child’s best interest). statutes.capitol.texas.gov ↩
- Tex. Fam. Code § 153.252, Rebuttable Presumption (the standard possession order in subchapter F of chapter 153 provides reasonable minimum possession for a parent and is presumed to be in the best interest of the child). statutes.capitol.texas.gov ↩
- Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125, Application of Guidelines to Net Resources (guideline support of 20% of net resources for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, and 40% for five, with a lower schedule for obligors with monthly net resources below $1,000). statutes.capitol.texas.gov ↩
- Office of the Attorney General of Texas, Announcement of Adjustment Required by Texas Family Code § 154.125, Texas Register, In Addition section, Aug. 15, 2025 (effective September 1, 2025, the guidelines apply to monthly net resources not greater than $11,700). sos.state.tx.us ↩
- Tex. Fam. Code § 156.101, Grounds for Modification of Order Establishing Conservatorship or Possession and Access (best interest plus a material and substantial change in circumstances, the preference of a child 12 or older expressed in chambers, or voluntary relinquishment of primary care for at least six months). statutes.capitol.texas.gov ↩
- Tex. Fam. Code § 156.401, Grounds for Modification of Child Support (material and substantial change in circumstances, or three years since the order was rendered or last modified and a difference of 20 percent or $100 from the guideline amount). statutes.capitol.texas.gov ↩
- Tex. Fam. Code § 153.432, Suit for Possession or Access by Grandparent (a biological or adoptive grandparent may request possession or access; the suit requires an affidavit alleging that denial would significantly impair the child’s physical health or emotional well-being). statutes.capitol.texas.gov ↩
- State Bar of Texas, Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.01 (communications concerning a lawyer’s services). texasbar.com ↩
King William Law Center is a shared office for independent firms. This page is attorney advertising and general information, not legal advice, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Crone Law PLLC, not King William Law Center, provides the legal services described here. The practice of law in Texas is governed by the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.9 Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.