Related Legal Issues

Related Legal Issues |

Title

(SAPCR) I need to respond to a custody case.

This toolkit tells you about responding to a custody case when it’s part of a “Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship” (SAPCR for short). ANSWER FORM INCLUDED.

This toolkit includes:

Instructions & Forms you can use to file an answer in a custody case.
Frequently Asked Questions about responding to a custody case.
Articles on topics related to child custody, visitation, child support and medical support.

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WARNING! The information and forms in this toolkit are not legal advice and are not a substitute for the help of a lawyer. It’s a good idea to talk with a lawyer about your particular situation.

Instructions & Forms

Instructions & Forms for Filing an Answer in a SAPCR (Custody) Case

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a SAPCR case?

A custody case that is not part of a divorce is called a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR case for short). A SAPCR case asks a judge to make a custody, visitation, child support, medical support, and dental support orders for a child.

What does it mean to be “served” with custody papers?

Unless a custody case is agreed, the parent who starts the case (the petitioner) must have the other parent (the respondent) served with the initial custody papers by the constable, sheriff, private process server or court clerk.

The initial custody papers include:

a Citation (a form issued by the court to officially notify the respondent of the custody) and
a copy of the Petition in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (the form filed by the petitioner to start the case).

If you are the respondent, there are several ways you can be served with the Citation and Petition.

You can be served in person by a constable, sheriff, or private process server. This means a constable, sheriff or private process server will deliver the Citation and Petition in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship to you in person. You will not need to sign anything.
You can be served by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested) by the court clerk, constable, sheriff or private process server. This means the court clerk, constable, sheriff or private process server will mail a copy of the Citation and Petition to you by certified or registered mail. Service by certified or registered mail is valid if you sign the return receipt showing that you received it.
You can be served by posting or publication if the petitioner can’t find you. This means the Citation will be posted at the courthouse, published in a newspaper, or published on the state's citation by publication web site.
You can be served any other way approved by the judge. For example, if the constable, sheriff or private process server is unable to serve you in person or by certified mail but can confirm your home address or work address, the judge could order that the Citation and Petition be posted to your door, left with anyone over 16 at your home or work or mailed to you at your home or work address by regular mail.
You will also be served with (1) any other papers filed by the petitioner at the beginning of the case and (2) any orders signed by the judge at the beginning of the case.

Papers filed by the petitioner later in the case will usually be mailed (regular mail) or emailed to you.

Talk to a lawyer if you have questions about being served.

What should I do if I’m served with custody papers?

Read the custody papers right away. Is there a standing order? Has the judge signed a temporary restraining order? Are there any hearing dates? If so, read these articles to learn more: Standing Orders, Temporary Orders & Temporary Restraining Orders (TROs)

Calculate the deadline to file an answer. Find the day you were served on a calendar, count out 20 more days (including weekends and holidays), then go to the next Monday. You must file an answer with the court on or before this date at 10:00 a.m. If you don’t, the petitioner may finish the custody without you. Note: If the 20^th day is a Monday go to the next Monday. If the courts are closed on the day your answer is due, then your answer is due the next day the courts are open.

Try to talk to a lawyer. A family law lawyer can explain your options and give you advice about your particular situation. You can hire a family law lawyer just to give you advice. Or, you may be able to talk with a lawyer for free at a legal clinic.

If you need help finding a lawyer, you can:

Use our Legal Help Finder to search for a lawyer referral service, legal aid office or self-help center in your area.
Check our Legal Clinic Calendar for free legal clinics in your area.
Use Ask a Question to chat online with a lawyer or law student.

Decide how you want to respond.

Option 1: File an answer. If you have been served with the initial custody papers (citation and petition) and want to have a say in the case, you must file a Respondent’s Original Answer form with the court. If you don’t, the petitioner may finish the custody without you. Get answer forms here: Instructions & Forms for Filing an Answer in a SAPCR (Custody) Case.

Warning! It’s important to talk with a lawyer before filing an answer (or any other form) with the court, if you don’t live in Texas or think the custody should be transferred to another court in Texas.

Option 2: File an answer AND a counter-petition. A counter-petition tells the judge what orders you want the judge to make in the custody case. Counter-petition forms are not currently available on TexasLawHelp.org.
Option 3: Do nothing. If you have been served with custody papers and do nothing, the petitioner can finish the custody without you. This is called a “default judgment.” You will not have a say in any of the issues involved in the custody case.

If you have questions about your options, it’s important to talk with a lawyer.

What if I don’t want to be served with custody papers?

If you don’t want to be served with the custody papers, you can voluntarily file an answer (or waiver of service only form). Filing an answer (or waiver of service only form) tells the judge that you know about the case and have received a file-stamped copy of the Petition in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship. The petitioner will not need to have you served if you voluntarily file an answer (or waiver of service only form).

What is an answer?

An answer is a legal form filed by the respondent in a court case.

Filing an answer with the court protects your right to have a say in the issues involved in your custody case.

If you file an answer, the petitioner cannot finish the custody case unless:

you and the petitioner agree to and both sign a completed Order in Suit Affecting the Parent Child Relationship, or
the petitioner gives you written notice of a contested hearing date.

Get instructions and answer form here: Instructions & Forms for Filing an Answer in a SAPCR (Custody) Case.

How much does it cost to file an answer?

Filing an answer is free.

Do I need a lawyer to help me with my SAPCR/custody case?

You do not have to have a lawyer to file or respond to a SAPCR case. However, SAPCR cases can be complicated and your rights as a parent may be at risk. It’s a good idea to talk with a family law lawyer about your particular situation. A family law lawyer can explain your rights and options.

It’s really important to talk with a family law lawyer if any of the following are true.

You are afraid for your or your child’s safety.
Your case is contested.
The other parent has a lawyer.
Your child has a disability.

If you need help finding a family law lawyer, you can:

Use our Legal Help Finder to search for a lawyer referral service, legal aid office or self-help center in your area.
Check our Legal Clinic Calendar for free legal clinics in your area.
Use Ask a Question to chat online with a lawyer or law student.