How Can I Prove I Should Get Full Custody?

 Posted on September 08, 2025 in Child Custody

When parents separate, the toughest problems to solve usually involve child custody. In Texas, custody is legally referred to as "conservatorship." While many parents share custody or conservatorship, some situations call for one parent to pursue full custody. This means proving to the court that giving you exclusive managing conservatorship is in the best interests of your child.

As of September 2025, Texas law continues to define conservatorship under Chapter 153 of the Texas Family Code. Full custody, known as "sole managing conservatorship," grants one parent the exclusive right to make key decisions about the child’s life, including medical treatment, education, and residence. The other parent may be granted limited or supervised visitation, but not shared decision-making.

Trying to get full custody is not easy, even if it seems like the arrangement that is obviously in your child’s best interests. To prove that you should have full custody, you need an experienced, assertive Bexar County child custody lawyer to help argue your case. At Brandon Wong & Associates, our attorneys have helped many families get through tough custody issues and protect their child's best interests. Call us today.

What Does the Court Look For in Full Custody Petitions?

Judges in Texas begin with the presumption that shared custody, or "joint managing conservatorship," is best for children. To get full custody, you must have very strong evidence that joint custody would endanger your child’s emotional or physical well-being.

Courts will want to see evidence of:

• Domestic violence or abuse.

• A history of substance abuse or untreated mental illness.

• A parent’s absence from the child’s life or refusal to participate in caregiving.

• Dangerous living conditions or housing instability (moving from home to home in a way that disrupts the child’s life)

• Patterns of neglect, such as not giving a child food, medical care, or schooling.

The burden is on the parent requesting full custody to show why joint custody is not safe or appropriate.

How Do You Prove You Should Get Full Custody? 

Proving you should have full custody requires more than stating your concerns. Courts rely on documented evidence and credible testimony. This could include documentation of missed visits, unsafe behaviors, or dangerous or traumatic interactions. The strongest petitions will include teachers, doctors, neighbors, and relatives who can testify about a parent’s inability to care for the child. Likewise, any records that support your case will be important. Police reports, medical records, or counseling notes can show concerning or dangerous patterns of behavior. 

Just as you will need to show that your child’s other parent is not a suitable parent, you will need to show that you are. This usually involves evidence proving you have a steady job, safe housing, and a supportive community. The judge will weigh this evidence against the other parent’s claims and determine what arrangement best protects the child.

Contact a Bexar County, TX Child Custody Lawyer

Full custody cases are not easy to win. They require careful preparation, persuasive evidence, and a strategy designed for your case. Working with an energetic and tenacious legal team is the best first step to make sure that your case is presented with the seriousness it deserves. 

A San Antonio, TX child custody attorney at Brandon Wong & Associates can explain your rights, help you prepare evidence, and fight for the arrangement that protects your child’s future. Call 210-201-3832 today to schedule a consultation.