We’re thrilled to share some wonderful news from our firm family—our paralegal Kyle and his wife Sydnee welcomed their first child, a beautiful baby boy, Charles Albert Reed, on June 11th at 11:33 a.m. Congratulations to the new parents on this exciting beginning with their sweet son!
Little Charlie is already full of personality—he loves escaping his swaddle, enjoying the outdoors, and keeping something in his mouth at all times. He’s not a fan of anything touching his feet and insists on napping in someone’s arms. At just a few weeks old, he’s mastering four-hour stretches of sleep and charming everyone with his chatty coos. Welcome to the world, Charlie!
Planning summer vacations with a child custody schedule
Summer break opens the door to longer trips and more time together, but shared custody adds structure to that freedom. You cannot just pick dates that work for you — your parenting schedule determines when you can travel and what steps you need to take before making plans.
Review what your custody order says
Start by looking at your current parenting plan or custody order, called standard possession order in Texas.
Notify the other parent as early as possible
Even when your custody order does not require advance notice, the court still expects you to act reasonably and communicate major plans early.
Navigating Your Custody Battle in Dallas
Navigating the complexities of Family Law in Dallas? Finding the right help is crucial. A child custody attorney in Dallas can guide you through challenging times, ensuring that your child’s best interests are at the heart of every decision. Here’s what you need to know right now:
1. Conservatorship in Texas is all about decision-making for your child. 2. The Texas Family Code prioritizes the child’s best interests over all else. 3. Evaluating each parent’s capability is key to custody decisions.
In Texas, the concept of “custody” is termed conservatorship under the Texas Family Code. This isn’t just a legal distinction but a reflection of how Texas courts look after the best interests of the child. The court considers many factors—like family dynamics and each parent’s health—to ensure the child’s welfare is paramount. If you require guidance on this journey, our legal team is ready to assist.
Good News
Good News
Coast Guard Petty Officer and rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan, on his first real-world mission, became a beacon of hope during the devastating Central Texas floods in early July. Deployed from Corpus Christi in the midst of extreme weather, he reached Camp Mystic—a girls’ summer camp nearly submerged by floodwaters along the Guadalupe River—and found about 200 frightened children and staff stranded. With roads and bridges washed out, Ruskan stayed on the ground, triaging and organizing small groups of about 10–15 people, guiding a total of 165 individuals to safety via Army National Guard helicopters.
Though 27 campers and counselors tragically lost their lives, and many others were still unaccounted for, local authorities and the Department of Homeland Security have praised Ruskan’s calm determination and bravery. Despite being hailed as an “American hero,” Ruskan remained humble, crediting his Coast Guard training and the resilience of the children themselves. His extraordinary sacrifice and composure under overwhelming conditions stand as a testament to the courage and professionalism of first responders.
Pet Spotlight: How You Can Help Texas Pets Affected by Flooding
Best Friends Animal Society has launched a robust emergency response to the catastrophic July flooding in Central Texas. They’ve partnered with local shelters, Austin Pets Alive!, Wings of Rescue, and Feral Cat Warriors Inc. to transport over 1,000 dogs and cats from inundated shelters to safer facilities across Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and the Midwest. In addition, Best Friends is providing $150,000+ in grants to fund vital supplies, veterinary services, spay/neuter, trap-neuter-vaccinate-return programs, microchips, and widespread medical care, plus donating and distributing 1,500 pounds of pet food to families in need.
You can make a difference, even from afar. Best Friends encourages supporters to:
-Donate to their emergency response fund—your gifts go directly to transporting animals, medical services, and supplies.
-Fulfill shelter wish lists—such as airline crates, pet food, medications, and microchip scanners—by ordering through Best Friends’ Amazon list.
-Foster or adopt displaced pets and advocate for local no-kill initiatives to help alleviate overcrowded shelters.
By supporting these efforts—whether through giving, shopping wish lists, or opening your home to a foster pet—our readers can play a crucial role in helping Texas pets stay safe, receive veterinary care, and ultimately find new, loving homes.
To learn more:
Flooding in Texas \| Best Friends Animal Society – Save Them All
