Williamson County, TX · Free Consultation
Brushy Creek, TX Child Custody Lawyer
What Our Clients Say
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jackie, thank you very much for the kind words! You are an amazing person and I appreciate you as a client very much!
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Joseph, thank you for the kind words! It was great to serve as your Austin divorce lawyer. Let me know if I can ever help you again.
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Travis, thank you for the kind words. Onwards and upwards my friend:-)
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thank you Stevie! Have a great rest of the summer. Let me know if you ever need any legal assistance again:-)
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. David, it was a pleasure serving as your family lawyer in Austin. Please feel free to reach out of you need anything in the future.
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thank you for the kind words. Have a great summer and stay off I-35 unless you really need to use the interstate.
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thank you. It was a pleasure representing you as your divorce attorney. Have a great Summer!
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Xillan, thanks for the kind words:-) Congratulations and good luck with everything. If you ever need an Austin divorce lawyer again, please feel free to reach out.
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. John, you were a great client and we’re happy you and your children can move on. Call if you need anything again.
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Eric, you’re one of my favorite clients ever! It was a pleasure to serve as your car accident attorney. Be careful in Ubers on MoPac from here on out:-)
As children get older, parents often ask whether the child gets to choose where to live. The answer in Texas is more nuanced than a simple yes or no, and SMB Law, PC helps Brushy Creek parents understand it. A Brushy Creek child custody lawyer can explain exactly how much weight an older child’s preference really carries in Texas. Shane has been licensed since 2003 and personally guides Central Texas parents through what the law does and does not let a child decide.
Brushy Creek’s family neighborhoods are full of older children and teens, so questions about how much a child’s own preference matters come up often in local custody cases.
Where a Brushy Creek child custody case is handled
Brushy Creek is in Williamson County, so a custody suit is filed with the Williamson County District Clerk at the Justice Center in Georgetown. Most custody matters are resolved by agreement before a contested hearing.
The child’s preference and how a judge weighs it
Texas gives a child’s wishes a voice, but not the final word. A child 12 years or older may, on request, speak privately with the judge in chambers about their preference on which parent should have the right to decide their primary residence, and a court may also interview a younger child. Importantly, the judge is not bound by what the child says — the decision still rests on the child’s best interest, with the preference being one factor among many. Courts are also careful to distinguish a child’s genuine, well-reasoned wishes from a preference shaped by which parent has fewer rules or has pressured the child. For a Brushy Creek family, understanding how a court actually treats a child’s voice helps set realistic expectations and keeps the focus on the child’s welfare rather than on putting them in the middle.
Keeping a child out of the middle
One of the most important things we do for a Brushy Creek family is help parents give a child’s voice its proper weight without turning the child into a decision-maker or a pawn. Judges are experienced at telling the difference between a mature, considered preference and one that reflects pressure or the appeal of a less-structured household, and a parent who is seen coaching a child usually damages their own case. We counsel Brushy Creek parents to support the child’s relationship with both homes, avoid discussing the litigation with the child, and let any interview with the judge happen naturally. Handled this way, a child’s preference can inform the court appropriately — while protecting the child from the burden of feeling responsible for the outcome.
Central Texas family-law experience you can rely on
Custody decisions shape your child’s life for years, and they reward a lawyer who has handled them many times. You work directly with attorney Shane M. Boasberg, who has represented Texans for more than two decades and has been licensed by the State of Texas since 2003. He explains things in plain English, keeps the case centered on what is best for your child, and gives you a clear plan instead of more stress — keeping you informed from your first confidential consultation through final resolution.
Working with us from Brushy Creek
Our office is in downtown Austin, an easy reach from Brushy Creek. We handle most consultations and case updates by phone and video, and there is no fee for your first confidential consultation. If travel is difficult, we can meet by video.
Why parents choose SMB Law, PC
- Direct attorney access — you talk to Shane, licensed since 2003, not a call center.
- Child-focused strategy — we keep the case centered on your child’s best interest.
- Honest advice and transparent fees explained before you commit.
What working with us looks like
- Confidential consultation to understand your goals and the law that applies.
- Strategy and records tailored to your family’s situation.
- Negotiation or court — we settle when we can and litigate when we must.
- Resolution implemented correctly so you can move on.
Frequently asked questions
Can a child choose which parent to live with in Texas?
Not outright. A child 12 or older may tell the judge their preference in a private interview, but the judge decides based on best interest.
At what age can a child talk to the judge?
A child 12 or older may speak with the judge on request about the primary-residence decision; a court may also interview a younger child.
Is the judge required to follow the child’s wishes?
No. The child’s preference is one factor; the court still decides according to the child’s overall best interest.
Do I have to travel to your office from Brushy Creek?
No. Our downtown Austin office is about 20 miles south via US-183, and we handle most of a Brushy Creek custody case by phone and video.