Visitation Rights

Visitation Rights Attorney in Alvin

Protecting Your Time with Your Children Since 1985

When a separation or divorce changes how much time you spend with your children, the details of your possession order matter enormously. In Texas, “visitation rights” are formally called access and possession, and the court order governing your schedule carries the full weight of law. Whether you need a new schedule established, an existing order enforced, or a modification after life has changed, Robert D. Clements Jr. Law Group, LLLP is ready to advocate for you.

We’ve handled family law cases in Southeast Texas since 1985, serving parents throughout Brazoria and Galveston Counties, including Alvin and surrounding communities. When you call, you’re likely to speak with a real person, often an attorney, that same day. Free consultations are available in person or virtually, and Spanish-language assistance is available.

If your parenting time is at stake, don’t wait. Call our visitation rights attorneys in Alvin today at (281) 809-0029 to schedule your free consultation.

Visitation Matters We Handle

Parents come to us at different points in the process. Some are going through divorce and need an initial possession schedule set before a judge finalizes the decree. Others are unmarried parents formalizing time-sharing for the first time. Still others have an existing order that the other parent is ignoring or that no longer fits their family’s reality.

Visitation situations also arise when a parent relocates, when a child’s school or extracurricular schedule shifts significantly, or when new safety concerns make the current arrangement inappropriate. In limited circumstances, Texas law also permits grandparents and other relatives to seek access to a child.

Our team handles every stage of the access and possession process:

Establishing initial possession schedules for divorcing or unmarried parents
Modifying existing orders when relocations, work schedule changes, or other material shifts warrant a new arrangement
Enforcing court orders when a parent is denying scheduled visits or refusing to return a child on time
Addressing high-conflict situations involving allegations of domestic violence, substance abuse, or parental fitness concerns
Seeking emergency or temporary orders when a child’s safety can’t wait for a scheduled hearing

Why Alvin Families Trust Robert D. Clements Jr. Law Group, LLLP

Contested visitation cases can move quickly into courtroom proceedings. Our trial-ready posture means we prepare every access and possession matter with the same rigor we bring to full litigation, giving clients a strategic advantage when the other side won’t cooperate or when a judge needs to decide.

Robert D. Clements Jr. is double board-certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law, a credential held by fewer than 2% of Texas attorneys. That certification reflects a standard of courtroom readiness that shapes how our entire team approaches contested family law matters. We’ve earned an Avvo rating of 10.0 Superb and received Avvo’s Client’s Choice Award four times between 2019 and 2023. We’re also members of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice, and Robert is a member of the Texas Bar College.

Clients aren’t treated as case numbers here. You get honest answers, direct attorney access, and personalized support at every step, backed by a full legal team that has served Southeast Texas families for four decades.

Texas Possession Orders: SPO, ESPO, & Beyond

Texas Family Code Chapter 153 governs access and possession. Most cases start with the Standard Possession Order (SPO), which courts apply as the default schedule in the majority of situations. Understanding how the SPO works, and when the expanded version applies, helps parents know what to expect before ever entering a courtroom.

How the Standard Possession Order Works

Under the SPO, the non-primary parent (called the possessory conservator) typically has possession on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends of each month, Thursday evenings during the school year, alternating holidays, and up to 30 days of summer visitation. Texas Family Code Section 153.252 presumes this schedule provides reasonable minimum parenting time in the child’s best interest.

As of September 1, 2021, parents living within 50 miles of the child are presumed to receive the Expanded Standard Possession Order (ESPO), which adds extended weekends and additional overnights during the school year, resulting in approximately 43 to 47% possession time. For parents living more than 100 miles apart, the weekend schedule may reduce to one weekend per month, the midweek visit is eliminated, and summer expands to 42 days with a spring break added.

When Courts Depart from the Default Schedule

The SPO applies to children age three and older. For younger children, courts typically order a developmentally tailored schedule. When both parents agree on a different arrangement, they can submit it for court approval, and once a judge signs it, it becomes legally binding. Courts can also depart from the SPO when evidence shows the standard schedule isn’t in the child’s best interest but must provide written findings explaining that departure if a party requests them.

Modifying & Enforcing Possession Orders in Brazoria County

Life doesn’t hold still after a possession order is signed. Jobs change, parents relocate, and children’s needs evolve. Texas Family Code Section 156.101 allows a court to modify a possession order when there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances since the original order was entered. Common grounds include a parent’s relocation, a change in the child’s school or extracurricular schedule, a significant shift in a parent’s availability, or new safety concerns. When parents can’t agree on a new arrangement, a court decides.

Enforcement is a separate but equally important matter. When a parent violates a possession order by denying scheduled visits, refusing timely returns, or interfering with the other parent’s time, the remedy is an enforcement action, and courts can hold a violating parent in contempt. We pursue those actions directly and thoroughly because a court order is only as effective as the willingness to enforce it.

What Sets Us Apart

Double Board-Certified

Robert D. Clements, Jr. is part of the top 2% of attorneys double board-certified in Personal Injury and Civil Trial Law.
Trial-Ready, Battle-Tested

Our experienced attorneys prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, ensuring we’re ready to fight—and win—when it matters most.
Personal, Direct Access

At our firm, you're not just a number. You can often speak with an attorney on day one and always reach a real person when you call.
Client-First Approach

You're not just a number; we truly care about every client, providing personalized support and honest advice at every step.

Trusted By Texans Since 1985

Advocates Who Truly Care

Read 5-Star Client Reviews

“My Attorney for 25 Years”
“I can't imagine life without my attorney, Bob Clements! He represents you as if you're his only client. He is an awesome attorney, but even a better person.”

Lorene H.
“A Caring Professional”
“Mr. Clements is a caring, punctual, intelligent and realistic professional. He dealt with my situation promptly and protected me from making mistakes. He made it go away before it even began.”

Denise L.
“Incredible Human Being”
“Bob is absolutely incredible as a human being and his job. 44 years and still at it, the dude loves helping people out. Divorce sucks. Let Bob help.”

Chaz J.
“Professional and Caring”
“I am very pleased with his counsel and the way he has handled my cases. I was able to settle both cases in my favor and even got to hear a judge apologize to me, and that's never happened to me before.”

John G.
“Truly A Brilliant Man”
“I have known Bob Clements for 15 years and he is truly a BRILLIANT man. His knowledge of the law and its practical application in today’s world is an immediate asset to his clients as well as his associates.”

Michael P.
“Honestly Amazing”
“I have no experience needing a lawyer, so he made me very calm, walking me through the process. He gave me all my options for my situation, dropped the lawyer act, and spoke to me like a person.”

Angela D.
“He Won the Case”
“As a psychotherapist, I have had to go to court for various clients over the years. I have always compared their lawyers to Mr. Clements. Mr Clements wins every time, is the most honest lawyer, and a good man.”

Patricia H.
“More Than Helpful”
“Both attorneys were more than helpful. They took the time to speak with me and direct me in the right direction. They seemed to genuinely care about me and my situation.”

Jules A.

View More Reviews

Local Knowledge That Matters in Brazoria County Family Courts

Visitation cases for Alvin residents are handled in Brazoria County family courts, with the courthouse located in Angleton. Familiarity with procedural timelines, filing requirements, and how local courts approach possession disputes affects how efficiently a case moves and what strategies work best. We’ve been practicing in these courts since 1985, and that experience shapes every recommendation we make.

Practical factors specific to Brazoria County families often come into play when structuring or modifying a possession schedule. Parents working different shifts, commuting between Alvin and nearby communities, or managing children’s involvement in local school and extracurricular schedules all affect what a workable arrangement actually looks like. We help clients build schedules grounded in those realities, not just statutory defaults.

Start with a Free Consultation

Your time with your children matters. If you’re navigating a new possession order, dealing with a parent who isn’t honoring the existing arrangement, or facing circumstances that make your current schedule unworkable, we’re ready to help. Virtual and in-person meetings are both available, and Spanish-language assistance is offered for clients who need it.

Call Robert D. Clements Jr. Law Group, LLLP at (281) 809-0029 to speak with our team, often an attorney from the start, and get honest guidance on your visitation rights in Alvin and throughout Brazoria County.

Contested Visitation in Brazoria County

When parents can’t agree on a possession schedule, a Brazoria County family court judge decides based on the child’s best interest. That standard involves multiple factors: each parent’s ability to provide a stable environment, the child’s physical and emotional needs, each parent’s history of involvement in caregiving, the child’s preferences if age-appropriate, and any history of family violence.

How Courts Weigh Family Violence & Safety

Texas Family Code Sections 153.004 and 153.005 require courts to consider evidence of family violence when making access and possession decisions. A documented history of violence can result in supervised visitation or other restrictions on a parent’s access. Courts may also order a step-up schedule, starting with limited supervised visits and expanding contact as a parent demonstrates consistent stability.

Mediation & What Happens When It Fails

Mediation is frequently used in Brazoria County before contested visitation matters reach trial. A neutral mediator helps parents work toward an agreement the court can approve, which often reduces the time and cost of resolving a dispute. When mediation doesn’t resolve the conflict, the case goes before a judge, and that’s where thorough preparation becomes decisive.

We handle high-conflict visitation cases involving sensitive allegations, including domestic violence, substance abuse, and disputes over parental fitness. When the situation calls for emergency or temporary orders, we act quickly to get the right protections in place.

Get Real Help Today

Client-Focused. Texas Tough.

Have questions? Ready to get started? Call (281) 809-0029 today or fill out the form below to schedule a consultation.

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