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vFamily Mattersv What Does Best Interest Of The Child Mean?WBy Brooke Irey, Attorneye have all heard the term best interest of the child. But in a legal sense what does it reallymean? In child custody cases, the court will look at what is best for the child. There is not a clear definition or standard that the courts use to determine what is the best interest of the childCourts will looks at and want evidence showing how the child is doing in school; how the child interacts with the other parent; who has the primary caregiver in the past; are there alcohol or drug problems with either of the parents (must have evidence of this- allegations alone will not hold up); is the child going to have to move schools; is the child in therapy- if so, why and how are they doing; does the child have any disabilities or special needs; are there any safety concerns with either of the parents; how well do parents communicate with each other and are the parents bad- mouthing. These are just a few things that can make up best interest.What one parent feels is in the best interest is often different to the other parent, especially In a custody case. I have seen too many parents get on the stand and state what is better for them, what is convenient for them and how horrible the other parent is. Courts do not want to hearSt Joseph Catholic Church hill country festival2nd Sunday in October October 12th from 10am to 4pmFREE ADMISSION TO FESTIVAL Food, Games, Music, Arts & Crafts, Activities, Auctions Prize Drawing 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Premiere25781 Hwy. 46 W, Spring Branch, TX 78070 honeycreekfestival.comWe Want Your Good News!210.548.6448Submit Your Story To info@bsbhighlights.comHalloweenBy Tish Smith Jennings I t’s Halloween night and monsters are out.Witches and devils are sneaking about. You’d better be careful or you’ll be seen. October thirty-first, it’s Halloween.Little trick-or-treaters are unaware. Zombies and the werewolves are out to scare.Witch cauldrons bubble with potions so green.October thirty-first, it’s Halloween.Playful ghosts dance next to trick-or-treaters. They steal candy from treat bowls of greeters.Hold your bags tight, kids, so candy’s not seen.Little ghosts will grab some, it’s Halloween.Martians in spaceships fly low on this night. You can see them. The moon is shining bright.Those broom-riding witches with faces dull green,They’re in the moonlight too, it’s Halloween.This magical fun night has just ended.Porch lights turn off as parents intended. Kids run home to check candy they did glean.October thirty-first, it’s Halloween.They empty their bags to see what they got. Candy bars and bubble gum, they get a lot. Keep jack o’ lanterns lit so you can see. Gobble that fine haul. Happy Halloween!Everyone be careful for kids and all. Hold hands of little ones so they don’t fall. Dress kids in costumes that give a bright sheen.Have a real good time. It is Halloween!this, you can often turn off the judge with this type of testimony. Now, that doesn’t mean you can’t state your concerns, you absolutely need to do that, but keep the emotional hatred out of it.Ultimately, the Court will look at the child’s physical, mental and emotional well- being in determining what is in the best interest of that particular child.Brooke Irey, Attorney Branch Family Law549 Heimer Rd., Suite 200 San Antonio, Texas 78232 (210) 229-2088 www.branchfamilylaw.comChoose KindnessSubmitted By The Hope CenterThe Hope Center, inspired by the McKenna Foundation’s Choose Kindness Campaign, is proud to honor Jonah Oliveros-Ortiz and Valerie & Aubriee Sanchez as our recipients of the Choose Kindness Award for October 2025. When most teenagers think of summer, they picture sleeping in, hanging out with friends, or enjoying long, carefree days. But for Jonah and Valerie, summer looks very different. For the second year in a row, these incredible students chose to give up their free time to serve at the Pantry—this year bringing Valerie’s sister along to join the team. Instead of staying home or chasing summer fun, they committed two full days every week to helping others.Their positive energy, initiative, and willingness to step into any role have made them invaluable to our team. As students at Hill Country College Preparatory School, Jonah and Valerie stand out as shining examples of what it means to put kindness into action. They volunteer not because they have to, but because they genuinely love their community and want to make a difference.We also want to celebrate every student who spent time serving in the Pantry and Thrift Store this summer. You gave up your vacations, free afternoons, and timeJionah Oliveros-Ortiz and Valerie & Aubriee Sanchezwith friends to make sure others had food, clothing, and hope. That kind of selflessness is rare—and it’s what makes summers at the Hope Center so extraordinary.To learn more about the Choose Kindness campaign and/or to nominatesomeone, visitchoosekindness/How will you CHOOSE KINDNESS today?https://mckenna.org/October 2025www.bsbhighlights.com 11