Child Visitation Attorney in San Antonio

Board-Certified Family Law Representation for Possession and Access Disputes in Bexar County

When a parent’s time with their child is at stake, early legal decisions matter. At The Law Office of Rebecca J. Carrillo, we’ve handled family law matters in San Antonio since 2009, and Attorney Rebecca Carrillo holds board certification in family law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a designation fewer than 10% of Texas attorneys earn. Parents who work with our firm get a credentialed advocate who knows Bexar County family courts and gives straight answers on what to expect, including costs, possible outcomes, and the steps ahead.

Most parents who contact us are in one of three situations: establishing a possession order for the first time, seeking to modify an arrangement that no longer fits, or trying to enforce an order the other parent is ignoring. Wherever you are in that process, we can help you understand your options and build a realistic strategy.

If your visitation rights have been denied or you need to establish a possession schedule, call our child visitation attorneys in San Antonio today at (210) 405-6623. We can walk you through your options from the start.

How Texas Describes Visitation Rights

Texas uses different terminology than most states. What other states call visitation, Texas law calls possession and access. Understanding this distinction helps parents follow court proceedings and read their orders accurately. The broader framework, what other states call child custody, is called conservatorship in Texas, governing both decision-making authority and physical time with the child.

There are two primary conservatorship structures in Texas:

• Joint Managing Conservatorship: Both parents share decision-making responsibilities. One parent is typically designated to determine the child’s primary residence, while the other retains possession and access rights.
• Sole Managing Conservatorship: One parent holds primary decision-making authority. Courts may designate this arrangement when the other parent has a history of abuse, substance issues, or significant disengagement from the child’s life.

The parent without primary conservatorship is called the possessory conservator and retains the right to court-ordered possession time even with limited decision-making authority. Texas Family Code Section 153.009 allows a judge to consider the preferences of a child who is 12 or older, though the judge isn’t bound by those preferences.

Types of Possession Orders in Bexar County

Texas recognizes several possession structures. Bexar County judges consider each family’s school schedules, community ties, and individual circumstances when selecting or approving an arrangement. The governing standard across all of them is the best interests of the child.

Standard Possession Order

The Standard Possession Order (SPO) is the default framework for noncustodial parents. When parents live within 100 miles of each other, the SPO typically provides the first, third, and fifth weekend of each month, Thursday evenings during the school year, alternating holidays, and at least 30 days of summer possession. When parents live more than 100 miles apart, the schedule shifts: fewer monthly weekends, but generally expanded summer possession of around 42 days.

Modified Possession Order

When the SPO doesn’t fit a family’s actual schedule, parents can negotiate a custom arrangement. Alternating weeks, split-week schedules, or daytime-only visits are all options the court can formalize. A modified order requires either mutual agreement or court approval.

Children Under Three

Courts typically set individualized schedules for infants and toddlers based on the child’s routine, health needs, and bonding requirements rather than defaulting to the SPO. When the child turns three, the arrangement may shift to a standard or modified order.

Supervised Visitation

If a parent’s history of domestic violence, abuse, or substance use raises safety concerns, a court may require a neutral third party to be present during visits. Supervised visitation preserves the parent-child relationship while protecting the child’s well-being.

Modifying a Visitation Order in San Antonio

Life changes, and possession orders sometimes need to change with it. Texas requires a parent seeking to modify an existing order to demonstrate a material and substantial change in circumstances since the original order was issued. This is a legal threshold, not simply a preference for a different schedule.

Common qualifying changes include a significant shift in a parent’s work schedule, relocation, new medical needs of the child, or a change in the child’s school or extracurricular commitments. If both parents agree on the modification, the process moves more quickly. Contested modifications require a formal hearing in Bexar County family court, where the judge evaluates whether the proposed change serves the child’s best interests. A child who is 12 or older may express a preference about the modification, which the judge may weigh alongside other factors.

Enforcing a Possession Order When Visitation Is Denied

A court-ordered possession schedule is legally binding. When a parent arrives at the correct time and location specified in the order and is refused access to the child, that’s a violation. The remedy in Bexar County is filing a Motion to Enforce with the district clerk, which triggers a hearing where both sides present evidence.

Under Texas Family Code Section 157.002, a Motion to Enforce must identify the specific provision violated, document the alleged conduct, and state the remedy being requested. Evidence that strengthens an enforcement case includes written communications, a dated log of denied visits, witness statements, and police reports filed at the time of denial. Courts can respond to proven violations with make-up possession time, fines, restitution, or, in persistent cases, modification of the underlying custody arrangement. Repeated denial may result in contempt sanctions against the non-complying parent.

Start documenting every denied visit immediately, with dates, times, and any written communication from the other parent. That record matters before a Bexar County judge.

Why San Antonio Parents Choose The Law Office of Rebecca J. Carrillo

Rebecca Carrillo’s board certification in family law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization requires peer review, a written examination, and demonstrated substantial involvement in family law practice. It’s a credential that general practitioners aren’t required to earn, and one that fewer than 10% of Texas attorneys hold. When you’re navigating a visitation dispute in San Antonio, that verified distinction matters.

Our firm’s recognition reflects a consistent track record in family law:

• 10.0 Superb Avvo Rating, the highest possible on the platform
• Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2013 through 2024
• Martindale-Hubbell Gold Client Champion, reflecting client satisfaction ratings
• Top 100 Lawyers by The National Advocates (2016)
• America’s Most Honored Lawyers by the American Registry (2024)
• Best Lawyers in San Antonio: Family Law, multiple years from Scene in S.A. Monthly

Beyond credentials, our approach is practical. We give every client a clear picture of potential costs and possible outcomes before decisions are made. If you’re a San Antonio parent working to protect your time with your child, you deserve to know what the path forward actually looks like.

Talk to a Child Visitation Lawyer in San Antonio

Whether you’re establishing a new possession order, seeking a modification, or enforcing rights that have been denied, we’re ready to help you take the next step. We serve parents throughout San Antonio and Bexar County and offer consultations to discuss your situation in detail.

Call The Law Office of Rebecca J. Carrillo at (210) 405-6623 or reach out through our online contact form to schedule your consultation.