How many custody & visitation resources are in Texas?

Women's Corner tracks 17 custody & visitation resources for women in Texas.

Are custody & visitation resources in Texas free?

16 of the 17 listed custody & visitation resources in Texas are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Texas have custody & visitation resources?

Listings span cities including Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth.

What are some examples of custody & visitation resources in Texas?

Featured entries include TexasLawHelp.org — Family Law & Custody, Texas Access & Visitation Hotline, Harris County (Houston) Family Court, Dallas County Family Courts, Travis County (Austin) Self-Help Center.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

7 of 17 Texas custody & visitation listings include phone numbers.

Do I need a lawyer to file for custody?

No — you can file pro se using forms from your county's Family Court Self-Help Center or Family Law Facilitator at no cost. A lawyer is strongly recommended if your ex is contesting custody, there's a history of abuse, or you need to relocate. Legal aid organizations cover custody cases for income-qualifying mothers.

How does the court decide who gets custody?

Judges apply the 'best interest of the child' standard, weighing each parent's caregiving history, stability, work schedule, the child's bond with each parent, any abuse or substance use, and (for older children) the child's preference. Being the primary caregiver — the parent who handles school, doctor visits, and daily routines — carries significant weight.

What if my ex won't follow the parenting plan?

Document every missed exchange, denied visit, or violation with dates, screenshots, and witnesses, then file a Motion for Contempt or Motion to Enforce with the court that issued your order. Courts can order make-up time, fines, or even change custody for repeated violations. Don't withhold the child in retaliation — that can hurt your case.

Can I get sole custody?

Yes, but courts presume joint custody is best unless you can show the other parent is unfit — documented abuse, untreated addiction, abandonment, or serious mental illness that endangers the child. Bring police reports, medical records, CPS findings, and witness statements. A guardian ad litem may be appointed to investigate.

Best Custody & Visitation in Texas — 17 resources

About Custody & Visitation for Women

Custody and visitation cases for women are handled in state and county family courts under each state's 'best interest of the child' standard. Mothers seeking sole, joint, or primary physical custody can use free self-help centers inside most courthouses to file petitions, parenting plans, and modification requests without an attorney. The ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence and the Women's Law Project track state-by-state custody trends, and organizations like the Battered Mothers Custody Conference advocate where abuse intersects with custody. This directory combines official state court self-help portals, county family law facilitators, women-focused family law firms, and maternal advocacy organizations.

Custody & Visitation in Texas

Texas district courts hear family matters across its 254 counties, with many urban counties operating dedicated family courts. The Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division runs enforcement statewide. Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and Fort Worth are the largest metros. Lone Star Legal Aid, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, and the Texas Council on Family Violence serve women.

17 Resources

1. TexasLawHelp.org — Family Law & Custody — Free

Free online legal help directory connecting low-income women to local legal aid organizations, court self-help centers, and free legal clinics in every state. Available 24/7 at lawhelp.org with no registration required.

Online statewide resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

2. Texas Access & Visitation Hotline — Free

Free hotline providing legal information on custody, visitation, and paternity for mothers and women across Texas. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 1pm-5pm.

(866) 292-4636 · Statewide service · Mon-Fri 1pm-5pm · Visit Website

3. Harris County (Houston) Family Court — Free

Family court services for custody, visitation, and divorce for mothers and women in Houston. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(713) 274-7300 · 1310 Prairie St Suite 700, Houston, TX 77002 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Dallas County Family Courts — Free

Custody, visitation, and family law matters for the Dallas area for mothers and women. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.

(214) 653-6971 · 600 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75202 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. Travis County (Austin) Self-Help Center — Free

Walk-in assistance for custody petitions and family law forms for mothers and women. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(512) 854-1631 · 314 W 11th St Suite 140, Austin, TX 78701 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Bexar County (San Antonio) Family Court — Free

Custody and family law services for San Antonio area families for mothers and women. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(210) 335-1242 · 100 Dolorosa, San Antonio, TX 78205 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Texas State Bar — Lawyer Referral Service

Connects women with family law attorneys for low-cost consultations across Texas. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm.

(800) 252-9690 · Statewide service · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

8. Tarrant County (Fort Worth) Family Court — Free

Mediation, custody, and family law services for mothers and women in Fort Worth. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.

(817) 884-1616 · 200 E Weatherford St, Fort Worth, TX 76196 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

9. Texas Court Mediation — Family — Free

Court-connected mediation for contested custody and parenting disputes for mothers and women in Texas. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Varies by county.

Available in all Texas counties · Varies by county · Visit Website

10. WomensLaw.org — Custody Information — Free

Free online legal resource written specifically for women in plain, accessible language by attorneys. Covers custody, protective orders, divorce, and survivor rights in every state. Available 24/7 at womenslaw.org. Includes an email hotline for confidential legal questions.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. ABA Family Law Section — Find a Lawyer — Free

American Bar Association family law section with a searchable attorney directory and free public resources on custody, divorce, and child support at americanbar.org.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Federal Office of Child Support Services — Free

Federal Office of Child Support Services coordinates state programs and provides a directory of every state agency at acf.hhs.gov/css for opening or enforcing cases.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. USA.gov — Child Custody and Support — Free

Official US government portal for child custody and support information with clear explanations and direct links to every state agency. Available 24/7 at usa.gov without registration.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. ChildWelfare.gov — Custody Resources — Free

Federal child welfare information gateway providing research-backed custody resources, kinship care guidance, and parenting plan templates. Free at childwelfare.gov.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges — Free

NCJFCJ — research, training, and resources on family court including custody best practices for mothers and women. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Available online 24/7 at ncjfcj.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Cornell Legal Information Institute — Family Law — Free

Free legal reference database maintained by Cornell Law School covering custody, divorce, and family law topics with statutes, case summaries, and plain-language explanations.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. FindLaw — Child Custody — Free

Free public legal information on child custody, modifications, relocation rules, and enforcement written in plain language by legal editors covering every state.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many custody & visitation resources are in Texas?: Women's Corner tracks 17 custody & visitation resources for women in Texas.
Are custody & visitation resources in Texas free?: 16 of the 17 listed custody & visitation resources in Texas are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Texas have custody & visitation resources?: Listings span cities including Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth.
What are some examples of custody & visitation resources in Texas?: Featured entries include TexasLawHelp.org — Family Law & Custody, Texas Access & Visitation Hotline, Harris County (Houston) Family Court, Dallas County Family Courts, Travis County (Austin) Self-Help Center.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 7 of 17 Texas custody & visitation listings include phone numbers.
Do I need a lawyer to file for custody?: No — you can file pro se using forms from your county's Family Court Self-Help Center or Family Law Facilitator at no cost. A lawyer is strongly recommended if your ex is contesting custody, there's a history of abuse, or you need to relocate. Legal aid organizations cover custody cases for income-qualifying mothers.
How does the court decide who gets custody?: Judges apply the 'best interest of the child' standard, weighing each parent's caregiving history, stability, work schedule, the child's bond with each parent, any abuse or substance use, and (for older children) the child's preference. Being the primary caregiver — the parent who handles school, doctor visits, and daily routines — carries significant weight.
What if my ex won't follow the parenting plan?: Document every missed exchange, denied visit, or violation with dates, screenshots, and witnesses, then file a Motion for Contempt or Motion to Enforce with the court that issued your order. Courts can order make-up time, fines, or even change custody for repeated violations. Don't withhold the child in retaliation — that can hurt your case.
Can I get sole custody?: Yes, but courts presume joint custody is best unless you can show the other parent is unfit — documented abuse, untreated addiction, abandonment, or serious mental illness that endangers the child. Bring police reports, medical records, CPS findings, and witness statements. A guardian ad litem may be appointed to investigate.