Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz

Mothers' Rights

Mothers’ Rights Attorney in Arlington

Board-Certified Family Law Representation for Arlington Mothers

Texas family courts apply the best-interests-of-the-child standard to every parent equally, which means a mother’s rights aren’t assumed. They have to be built, documented, and argued. At Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz, our family law attorneys hold board certification, a credential fewer than 1% of Texas attorneys earn, and we’ve represented Arlington families in Tarrant County courts for over 60 years. David Kulesz has been recognized by Super Lawyers continuously since 2005, and Rigien Jackson was named to Arlington’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2025. That depth of experience shapes how we approach every mothers’ rights case from the first filing forward.

Mothers come to us at every stage: during a divorce, when an existing custody arrangement is under challenge, when child support isn’t being paid, or when a child’s safety is at risk. Tarrant County family court has its own procedures, local rules, and judicial expectations, and knowing how local judges analyze the best-interests standard directly affects how we prepare and present each case.

If you’re facing a custody dispute, support issue, or protective order matter in Arlington, call our team today at (817) 587-6452 to schedule a consultation.

Mothers’ Rights Cases We Handle

Our attorneys represent mothers across the full range of family law proceedings that affect parental rights in Texas. Whether you need to establish an arrangement for the first time or enforce one already in place, we’re prepared to pursue the legal relief your case may support, including at trial in Tarrant County family court when that’s what the situation requires.

What we handle:

Conservatorship (custody): Pursuing joint or primary managing conservatorship and negotiating possession and access schedules that reflect your role in your children’s lives
Child support: Establishing, enforcing, and modifying child support obligations as income or circumstances change
Order modification: Petitioning to change custody or support terms when a material and substantial change in circumstances has occurred since the prior order
Order enforcement: Pursuing remedies when the other parent violates a court-ordered visitation schedule or fails to pay support
Protective orders: Seeking emergency or final protective orders when you or your children face family violence
Parental relocation: Addressing the legal requirements when you need to relocate with your children, including the geographic restriction provisions common in Texas custody orders

Why Arlington Mothers Choose Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz

Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest recognition for ethics and professional ability. Our attorneys bring over 100 years of combined legal experience to every case, and our familiarity with Tarrant County family court procedures and how local judges weigh best-interests factors shapes our case preparation from day one.

We communicate in five languages, which matters in a community as diverse as Arlington’s. We return calls and emails promptly and keep you informed at every stage. When you’re in the middle of a custody or support dispute, knowing where your case stands shouldn’t require chasing your attorney.

Schedule a Consultation with Our Mothers’ Rights Lawyers

Whether your matter is just beginning or an existing order needs to be modified or enforced, our team is ready to help. Contact Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz in Arlington to discuss your situation and understand your options. Call us at (817) 587-6452.

How Texas Conservatorship Law Applies to Mothers

Texas uses the term “conservatorship” rather than custody. It divides into two components: legal conservatorship, which covers decision-making authority over education, healthcare, and similar matters, and physical possession, which determines where the child lives and when.

Joint managing conservatorship (JMC) is the default presumption in Texas, but it doesn’t mean equal time. Courts typically designate one parent as the primary joint managing conservator, giving that parent the right to establish the child’s primary residence. Sole managing conservatorship (SMC) gives one parent exclusive decision-making authority and is typically accompanied by the right to receive child support. Courts grant SMC when the evidence shows that joint conservatorship would significantly impair the child’s physical health or emotional development.

A suit affecting the parent-child relationship (SAPCR) is the legal proceeding through which custody, visitation, child support, and related issues are resolved in Texas, whether as part of a divorce or as a standalone case.

Best-interests factors Tarrant County judges weigh include:

Each parent’s involvement in the child’s daily life
Stability of each home environment
Willingness to cooperate with the other parent
Any history of family violence or substance abuse
The child’s own preferences, generally considered when the child is 12 or older

Child Support Rights for Mothers in Texas

Texas calculates child support as a percentage of the paying parent’s net monthly resources, with the percentage varying by the number of children. A mother who is the primary conservator may receive child support, and that obligation is legally separate from visitation. Support can’t be withheld because of a dispute over access to the children.

The Texas Attorney General’s Office enforces child support orders and has authority to garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, and pursue other collection actions against non-paying parents. A parent may petition to modify a child support order when there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant income change, or when three years have passed since the last order and the amount differs by at least 20% or $100 per month from current guidelines. Child support generally continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later, with exceptions for children with disabilities.

Unmarried Mothers’ Rights in Texas

Under Texas law, an unmarried mother automatically has full legal and physical custody of her child until a court order establishes otherwise. That default position is meaningful, but it has limits. Informal arrangements between parents aren’t court-enforceable, which means an unmarried mother benefits significantly from obtaining a formal SAPCR order that addresses conservatorship, a possession schedule, and child support.

A formal order also defines the father’s rights going forward, giving you legal remedies if he attempts to change the arrangement without court approval. An unmarried mother’s standing to file a SAPCR isn’t dependent on the father establishing paternity first. She may file at any time to formalize her conservatorship rights and seek support.

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The Right Legal Team Makes All the Difference

Client-Focused and Responsive Representation

At Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz, PC, we prioritize clear and consistent communication. Our attorneys are committed to promptly returning calls and emails, keeping you informed at every step of your case.
Experienced Legal Advocacy Across Multiple Practice Areas
With 60+ years of experience, we provide top-tier representation in immigration, family law, personal injury, real estate, estate planning, and business law.
A Dedicated Team Ready to Fight for You
When legal issues arise, you need a team that acts fast. Our team gets to work immediately, using our expertise to protect your best interests and pursue the best possible outcome.
A Proven Track Record of Success

Our firm’s long history of service to Texans speaks for itself. Clients trust us for dedicated advocacy, personalized service, and strong results—time and time again.

Modifying & Enforcing Custody and Support Orders in Tarrant County

Court orders don’t always stay current with the realities of family life, and not every parent complies with the terms they’re bound by. When either situation arises, Texas law provides clear remedies, and our attorneys know how to pursue them in Tarrant County family court.

When Modification Is Available

To modify an existing custody or support order, you must show a material and substantial change in circumstances since the prior order was entered. That standard can be met by a significant income change, a proposed relocation, a change in the child’s needs, or new safety concerns. Texas law also provides that three contempt findings for violating a possession order alone constitute a material and substantial change in circumstances, which can support a request to modify conservatorship outright.

Enforcing an Order the Other Parent Is Violating

When the other parent violates an order by denying court-ordered visitation or failing to pay support, you can file an enforcement motion in Tarrant County family court. Courts may hold a violating party in contempt and order additional makeup possession time to compensate for the time denied. One important point: child support and visitation are legally separate obligations. A parent can’t withhold support because visitation was denied, and a parent can’t deny visitation because support wasn’t paid.

Protective Orders & High-Conflict Custody Cases

When family violence, credible threats, or extreme conflict are part of a custody matter, the legal stakes rise considerably. Texas courts can enter emergency protective orders that temporarily restrict an abusive parent’s access to the children. Acting quickly matters because the response window is short and the protective order process moves fast.

A documented history of family violence carries significant weight in the best-interests analysis and can support a sole managing conservatorship award. Our attorneys handle protective order proceedings directly and assist in building the evidentiary record in high-conflict cases, including gathering witness testimony and documentary evidence. Where appropriate, we can request that the court appoint an amicus attorney or guardian ad litem to represent the child’s interests independently.

Parental alienation, where one parent actively works to undermine the child’s relationship with the other, is conduct Tarrant County courts take seriously. Depending on the circumstances, it can be addressed through enforcement, reunification therapy, or a modification of the custody arrangement.

Talk to a Mothers’ Rights Lawyer in Arlington

Whether you’re filing for the first time, responding to a custody challenge, or dealing with an order that isn’t being followed, Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz is ready to help you take the next step. Call us at (817) 587-6452 to speak with a mothers’ rights attorney in Arlington about your situation.

What to Expect in Tarrant County Family Court

Knowing how a mothers’ rights case moves through Tarrant County family court helps you prepare for what’s ahead and make decisions at each stage with clear expectations.

A case typically begins with filing a petition, either as part of a divorce or as a standalone SAPCR, followed by service on the other parent. Temporary orders are commonly entered early in the proceeding to establish custody, a possession schedule, and support while the case is pending. These hearings move quickly, and the outcome can set the tone for how the rest of the case unfolds.

Tarrant County courts frequently require mediation before a contested hearing. Mediation gives both parents the opportunity to reach a parenting agreement on their own terms rather than leaving the decision to a judge. If the case proceeds to a contested hearing, the court weighs all evidence against the best-interests standard and enters a final order addressing conservatorship, possession, access, and support.

Steps that strengthen a mother’s case before and during litigation:

Document your involvement in the child’s daily life and routines
Maintain stable housing and consistent schedules
Preserve evidence of the other parent’s conduct, including communications and missed visits
Avoid actions that could be interpreted as interfering with the co-parenting relationship
Follow all temporary orders in place while the case is pending

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At Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

"I highly recommend Virginia and the team at Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz to anyone looking for an experienced and trustworthy immigration attorney."
I am very thankful to Virginia and to Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz for their support throughout my husband’s green card process. Virginia handled our marriage-based case with exceptional care and expertise, guiding us clearly through each stage and

- Saya K.
"Professional, courteous & respectful."
Everything was expedited in a very timely manner. Ms. Brown has been a great communicator and her instructions have been clear and helpful. I have appreciated their help and counsel throughout a difficult time.

- Former Client
"One of the most brilliant, and caring lawyers."
After consulting with numerous lawyers I decided on David Kulesz. He is one of the most brilliant, and caring lawyers. David is very competent and knows how to move quickly and strategically to protect your children, assets, and organization. I would highly recommend David.

- Patty G.
"David is AMAZING & is one of the most competent family law Attorney EVER!"
He honestly cares about the needs of his client and what’s in the best interest of the kids. I feel so blessed. I am a single father and have custody of my children, thank you David Kulesz for believing that men can be great single parents too.

- Tony
"I fully recommend Brent for divorce cases."
Brent was very instrumental in my case and was particularly good at listening to my needs. Divorce is a very sensitive matter and requires someone that understands this and works hard toward a quick resolution. I fully recommend Brent for divorce cases.

- Christian
"Efficient, organized, trustworthy."
She was also willing to answer our questions at any time almost instantly, including late at night and on weekends. She also offered to help us prepare for the interview. The experience working with her was very pleasant and she is a trustworthy attorney!

- Cynthia
"A great help understanding the process."
Virginia helped us navigate the process from start to finish, always being available, friendly, and efficient whenever we had questions.

- Steven
"Great advisor for all things immigration."
Virginia was incredibly responsive, knowledgeable, and all around great advisor when it came to filing and taking care of all of the documentation for us.

- Chelsea

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