Family law disputes in Texas can be complex, emotional and expensive. Whether facing a divorce, child custody dispute, or trying to add to your family through an adoption, you need an advocate on your side that you can trust to understand your situation, protect your rights and advise you how to protect your family’s best interests. Empathy is an important part of a family law attorney’s job. You need an attorney who understands how difficult these situations can be on your family.
Divorces, child custody cases and other family law matters can last months. Family law attorneys know that the longer the case goes on, the more stress and emotional damage can be inflicted upon you and your family. Balancing the desire to move on to a new chapter in your life with the stress of an ongoing family law case is tough. Your family law attorney must effectively and efficiently represent you to help resolve the case to its best possible result.
Your family law attorney can only be an effective and empathetic advocate if your attorney is willing to listen to you and understand your needs but also be honest and give you the best legal analysis–even if it is tough to hear. Ultimately your family law attorney works for you. If your attorney does not understand your situation and your goals, then it will be tough for your attorney to effectively represent you.
The first step to start your divorce or family law case is to schedule a consultation. During the consultation the family law attorney will gather information from you and begin developing a plan for how to pursue your case and educate you on the legal issues involved. Learn more about what Texas family law attorneys can do to help you.
Dissolve a marriage while protecting your assets and relationship with your children
Agreed divorces are simplified and low cost options to conclude a marriage
Protect your assets and divorce a common law marriage in Texas
Establish custodial rights for the children including visitation and parental rights
Navigate the legal process to adopt a child into your family
Financial support for children as a result of a divorce or child custody case
Ask the court to modify existing child custody and child support orders
Enforce child custody and child support orders
Assert a father’s rights by proving paternity over a child to establish a relationship
Pre-marital agreements addressing property issues during marriage and divorce
Avoid conflicts over reproductive agreements
Change your name due to family changes, adoption, transition
A Texas family law attorney can benefit you in many of these domestic relations situations. Texas family law statutes are complex and family courts are a unique legal experience. It pays to have experienced representation on your side familiar with the Texas Family Code and the family court system. Family law attorneys know how to interpret the law and apply it to your case. Even a simple proceeding can quickly turn complex based upon a few facts or disagreement between the parties. The more disagreement or special circumstances involved in your case, the more an attorney will benefit you and your family.
Family law situations, especially divorces, involve many complex issues. These issues include:
Although many family law cases share similar issues, they are rarely the same. Families have different issues, different assets and parties have different goals for their families. Your attorney should spend time getting to know you and your family issues and craft a strategy that speaks to your situation. Your attorney should also spend time discussing the legal issues in your case and how the law will affect the outcome of your case. Sometimes your goals and Texas law are at odds. Sometimes the facts do not support the outcome you want or the cost to reach a desired outcome make the outcome impractical. Your family law attorney’s job is not to tell you what you want to hear but what you need to hear.
When you contact a family law firm in Texas about your case your first interaction with an attorney will typically occur during an initial consultation. You may first speak with a paralegal to obtain information so the attorney doesn’t have to spend time getting basic details before considering the legal issues in your case. Some family law firms in Texas offer free consultations but typically these are brief screening meetings to see if the firm might want to take on your case. Generally Texas family law attorneys charge for a consultation and intend to provide legal advice as part of the consultation.
In Texas you can represent yourself in family law cases. Some people choose that path because they don’t or can’t afford to hire an attorney. It is disadvantageous, especially if other parties have attorneys. The judge and other attorneys cannot give you advice.
In Texas you are not entitled to court appointment legal counsel in family law cases except for CPS child removal cases. In other cases the court may appoint an amicus attorney or attorney ad litem but these do not represent you. If you cannot afford an attorney for a divorce, then in some cases the court will order your spouse to pay for your attorney.
In Texas there is no online divorce. You must file for divorce with the appropriate court.
Law firms charge different fee rates and ask for varying retainers based upon the firm and the complexity of your case. Often family law attorneys in Texas charge between $250-400 per hour and ask for $5,000-10,000 in a retainer for a divorce or child custody case. Some firms work on flat fee arrangements.
Yes. If there is disagreement between the parties, then there will still need to be proceedings to present evidence to the judge or otherwise bring your case to a resolution. If you do not have an attorney, then you may not present a case that supports your desired outcome.
There is often no easy answer to this question. Legal aid organizations assist people who have very little income or assets but most people will not qualify for legal aid. If you do not qualify, then you will have to decide if you can find a way to afford an attorney. You may need to take a loan or try to work out a payment plan with the law firm.
Scheduling a consultation with a family law firm is the first step in reaching a resolution to your situation. The sooner you contact law firms in your area the sooner you and your attorney can start working towards solving your problems. Not sure how to find an attorney? Visit the find an attorney page.
