10/06/2026
Kids grow. Life moves on. The custody order from years ago might not fit anymore, and Texas law gives parents a path to revisit it. Generally, a court can modify custody if there's been a material and substantial change affecting the child or a parent, or if a child age 12 or older tells the judge privately that they'd prefer a different primary residence, or if the primary parent has voluntarily given up care of the child for six months or more.
Shifting who holds primary status within the first year of an order, or during temporary orders, requires meeting a higher bar. And even when one of these circumstances applies, a judge still has to find that the shift serves the child's best interest before anything moves.
If your custody arrangement no longer reflects your family's reality, reach out to Beal Law Firm to talk through a possible custody review: dfwdivorce.com