Legal clinics offer help for parents in custody disputes

Strangers shared the intimate details of their custody battles Wednesday, in hopes of transforming court orders from pieces of paper into action.

The Office of the Attorney General joined with the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, the UTB-TSC's Center for Civic Engagement, and the Texas Civil Rights Project to host the first of a monthly series of parenting order legal clinics, informing parents who share custody about how to enforce their rights.

At Wednesday's session, parents asked attorneys Santiago Galarza and Gail Kahn how to proceed if they feel their child is in danger, how to swap visitation days and what to do when a parent is not making child support payments.

For some, the simply talking about their anxiety unleashed tears. "This is an emotional thing," Kahn said to a woman who spoke of being harassed by her 4-year-old's father. "It's OK to be upset."

The Wednesday clinic was the first in a statewide initiative to provide face-to-face attorney guidance to parents struggling with the technically and emotionally wrought process of sharing children.

"This is an extension and expansion of an ongoing effort to help parents who are having disputes about access and visitation," said Janece Rolfe, a spokesperson for the Attorney General's office. "We know that children need both parents in their lives."

Unlike jail time or community service, court rulings to restrict child access, make support payments or maintain distance from a former spouse, require vigilance and police involvement.

"It's difficult, but sometimes you just have to call the cops," Galarza said. "You need to build a case, to build proof that (the other parent) is violating the court order. Otherwise, you have no evidence when you go to court."

The clinics will take place the second Wednesday of each month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Cueto Building on E. 13th Street.

For a reservation, call (956) 882-4300.