In Texas and other states, there are many myths about what it means to be a non-custodial parent. All it really means is that the person does not have physical custody of their children. They may be a legal custodian of their child, but for one reason or another, they are not the primary caregiver. Non-custodial parents usually have visitation rights, pay child support and participate in their children’s lives regularly.
A very common myth about non-custodial parents is that they are deadbeats. It’s rare for a non-custodial parent who owes child support to not pay. Many pay every month and are actively involved with raising their children. It’s also a myth that all non-custodial parents are fathers. While most non-custodial parents are fathers, it is becoming more common for courts to recognize the important role that single fathers can play.
Many people believe that non-custodial parents don’t do much work when it comes to the care and nurturing of their children. While it’s true that most custodial parents get the brunt of the workload, most non-custodial parents work hard to stay involved. When their children have visitation or overnight stays, they take on the same duties as any single parent. Some of these parents gave up custody because they thought it was in the best interests of their children.
When it comes to determining the terms of child custody during or after a divorce, each parent has the right to representation from an attorney. These cases can involve very complex and difficult emotions, but it’s the job of an attorney to help their client put their best foot forward when negotiating terms. While it may not always be possible for an attorney to get their client full custody, they will do what they can to uphold as many parental rights as possible.
