Child Custody Attorney in Longview, TX

Board-Certified Family Law Representation for East Texas Families

The Hollwarth Law Firm, PLLC is a family-law-only firm based in Longview, serving clients throughout Gregg, Harrison, and Upshur Counties. Attorney Christina Hollwarth has practiced family law in East Texas since 2003, and she brings that depth of experience to every custody matter we handle. From conservatorship disputes and possession schedules to modifications and cases involving safety concerns, we represent parents who need skilled, focused advocacy for their children.

Our approach is child-centered from the start. We guide clients to prioritize their children’s best interests at every stage, and clients receive one-on-one time with Christina to ensure she understands the full picture of their situation.

Why Longview Families Choose The Hollwarth Law Firm, PLLC

Christina Hollwarth is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a certification she has held since 2018. Fewer than 825 attorneys in the entire state hold this designation. Board Certification requires demonstrated experience, peer review, and a rigorous written examination. It’s not a marketing claim. It’s a credential the state issues to attorneys who have proven their command of family law.

In addition to her courtroom experience, Christina completed formal mediator training in 2007 covering family law, civil, and CPS cases. That background gives her insight into how mediators evaluate custody disputes, which can strengthen her ability to advocate for clients whether a case resolves at the negotiating table or before a judge. The Hollwarth Law Firm, PLLC is also rated by Avvo and Martindale-Hubbell, and clients are supported by a reliable and approachable staff throughout the process.

To speak with a child custody lawyer in Longview about your situation, call (903) 234-0711 today.

How Texas Courts Determine Child Custody

Texas courts use the best interests of the child as the governing standard in every custody determination. This standard is intentionally broad, and courts consider a non-exclusive list of factors when evaluating what arrangement will best serve a child’s physical and emotional well-being.

Factors the court may weigh include:

• Each parent’s ability to raise the children
• The child’s physical and emotional well-being
• Each parent’s future plan for the child
• History with alcohol and drugs
• The child’s preference
• How the arrangement affects school stability
• The stability of each parent’s home
• Any history of abuse in the family
• The child’s relationship with extended family
• Each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent

East Texas courts are open to crafting possession schedules that maximize time with each parent, including Standard or Extended Standard Possession Orders, 50/50 splits, or customized schedules that reflect the family’s specific needs. When a parent is believed to be unfit or poses a danger to the child, we work to build a case that can support a safer arrangement.

Contact our offices today to start discussing what the best options are for your child.

Understanding Texas Conservatorship

Texas law uses the term “conservatorship” where other states use “custody.” The distinction matters. Courts presume parents will be named Joint Managing Conservators, meaning both parents share the rights and duties of raising their children, though the court’s order specifies which rights each parent exercises independently, which require joint agreement, and which belong exclusively to one parent. When Texans refer to having “custody,” they typically mean being the parent with the right to establish the child’s primary residence, which traditionally pairs with the right to receive child support.

Sole Managing Conservatorship is a different designation entirely. It names one parent with primary rights while the other becomes the Possessory Conservator, a role that carries fewer rights. This arrangement is rare. A parent seeking Sole Managing Conservatorship must overcome the state’s presumption in favor of joint conservatorship, and courts require compelling evidence before granting it. It should only be pursued in situations that genuinely demand it.

One question we hear often: at what age can a child refuse visitation in Texas? No child under 18 has the legal right to do so. Visitation is a parental right. If a custodial parent believes the existing arrangement is no longer appropriate, the avenue is to file for a modification of orders, not to unilaterally withhold access.

Possession Orders & Parenting Plans in Texas

A possession order is a court-sanctioned document that defines when each parent has the child. Being named Joint Managing Conservators or Sole Managing and Possessory Conservators governs rights and duties; it doesn’t determine how much time each parent has. The possession order does that.

Texas recognizes several types of possession orders:

• A standard possession order
• A modified possession order
• A possession order for a child under the age of three
• A supervised possession order

Texas presumes the parent who does not designate the child’s primary residence will have possession of no less than a Standard Possession Order, and that parent has the right to elect an Extended Standard Possession Order. When parents want to create their own access schedule, that parenting plan should specify where the children will be during the week, on weekends, on holidays and school breaks, and during the summer.

Once a court renders a possession order, both parents must follow it. The court encourages co-parenting and flexibility, but if parents don’t mutually agree on a change, the possession schedule stands. Unilateral deviations aren’t permitted.

Do You Need a Child Custody Attorney in Texas?

When custody is contested, the risks of self-representation are real. The opposing party may be better prepared to present testimony, anticipate a judge’s questions, and frame the facts in their favor. Having our attorneys in your corner means someone is advocating for you and your children throughout the proceeding.

Texas courts do appoint attorneys in limited circumstances: when a defendant can’t afford representation, or when a defendant faces a potential jail sentence as a result of a custody enforcement action involving visitation or child support. Outside those narrow situations, most parents must retain their own counsel.

How We Handle Custody Cases at The Hollwarth Law Firm, PLLC

We represent clients in both mediation and court proceedings. Christina’s mediator training, completed in 2007, gives her a perspective most litigators don’t have. She understands how mediators assess the strengths and weaknesses of each side’s position, which shapes how we prepare and present your case. If the matter goes to court, we can speak on your behalf at every appointment.

Clients receive direct, personalized attention from Christina throughout the process. Our staff is here to answer questions, provide updates, and make sure you understand what’s happening at each stage. For families throughout Longview and Gregg County, that consistency matters.

Ready to discuss your custody matter with a Board-Certified family law attorney? Contact us to schedule a consultation today.