Possession & Access Representation for McKinney Families

When your time with your child is at stake, you need a child visitation attorney in McKinney families can turn to for clear guidance on Texas possession and access law and how Collin County courts apply it. At Burrows Law Group, our collaborative team brings over 100 years of combined legal experience to visitation rights cases in McKinney, TX. We represent parents from the initial possession order through enforcement and modification, whether matters resolve through negotiation, mediation, or a contested hearing.

Texas family law refers to what most parents call visitation as possession and access, and that distinction matters in court. We take time to understand your specific situation before recommending a path forward, and we keep you informed at every step.

If your relationship with your child is being affected by a disputed or violated possession order, call us at (972) 236-7798 or reach out through our online contact form to discuss your options.

Why McKinney Parents Work with Burrows Law Group

Our firm is built around a team model. Rather than relying on a single attorney, your case benefits from the collective knowledge of multiple practitioners whose backgrounds align with your circumstances. Managing Attorney Adam Burrows has been recognized by Super Lawyers across multiple years, and our firm has received recognition from the American Institute of Legal Professionals and Best of Denton County and has been featured in Forbes and Fortune as part of a Dallas Leaders in Law designation.

Those honors reflect something practical: we handle the full range of visitation matters, from negotiating parenting time schedules to litigating enforcement actions in Collin County District Court. We also offer mediation as an alternative to contested proceedings when the circumstances support a cooperative resolution.

Visitation Matters We Handle in McKinney, TX

Parents come to us at every stage of a possession and access dispute. Here’s a summary of the situations we regularly handle:

• Initial possession orders: Established through a divorce or Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR), these orders form the foundation of your parenting time schedule.
• Modification of existing orders: When a material and substantial change in circumstances affects a parent or child, the court may consider adjusting the current possession arrangement.
• Enforcement actions: If the other parent isn’t complying with a court-ordered schedule, legal remedies are available through the Collin County District Courts, and the non-compliant parent may face consequences.
• Supervised visitation: When a child’s safety requires a third party to be present during visits, a Collin County court may order supervised access.
• Relocation and long-distance schedules: Parental relocation can significantly affect a possession schedule, and we work to protect your parental access when geography becomes a complicating factor.
• Grandparent and relative access: Under specific statutory conditions in Texas, grandparents and certain non-parent relatives may petition for access rights.

One important clarification: child support and possession and access are legally separate issues in Texas. A parent can’t withhold visitation because the other parent is behind on support payments. Each matter must be addressed through its own legal process.

How Collin County Courts Evaluate Possession & Access

Every possession and access decision in Texas is governed by the best interest of the child standard. Courts weigh factors including each parent’s ability to provide a stable environment, the child’s age and developmental needs, the nature of each parent’s existing relationship with the child, and any history of family violence or substance abuse.

The Texas Family Code provides a Standard Possession Order as a default schedule, but courts can deviate from it when a customized arrangement better serves the child. When parents agree on a schedule, the Collin County court may generally accept it, provided the agreement meets the best-interest standard. For children 12 and older, the court may consider the child’s preferences, though that preference is one factor among many rather than a deciding one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Difference Between Visitation & Possession & Access in Texas?

Texas law uses the term possession and access rather than visitation. The distinction is substantive: possession and access covers not just physical time with the child but also the right to communicate with the child and be present at school events, medical appointments, and other important activities.

Can a Parent Be Denied Visitation for Unpaid Child Support?

No. Texas law treats possession and access and child support as separate legal obligations. Withholding visitation because of unpaid support isn’t permitted, and each issue must be addressed through its own process.

Can a Grandparent Seek Visitation Rights in Texas?

Under certain statutory conditions, grandparents and other non-parent relatives may petition a Texas court for access to a child. These rights aren’t automatic and require meeting specific legal requirements outlined in the Texas Family Code.

Where Are McKinney Visitation Cases Heard?

Possession and access matters for McKinney residents are handled by the Collin County District Courts, which sit at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building in McKinney, TX.

Talk to a Child Visitation Attorney in McKinney Today

Whether you’re establishing a possession order for the first time, seeking a modification, or dealing with a parent who isn’t following the existing schedule, Burrows Law Group can discuss your situation whether you’re at the beginning of the process or already dealing with an active dispute.

Contact our office at (972) 236-7798 or use our online contact form to get started. A child visitation lawyer in McKinney from our team can review the specifics of your case and help you understand your options.