Family Law

Family Law

 

Family law encompasses a myriad of legal issues, all of which are handled by our firm. Both Kerry and Lee are well known and respected by the members of the bench and bar of Tarrant County. Many colleagues refer clients to our firm and both attorneys are frequently appointed by the local Courts to represent individuals, including children the subject of an ongoing legal controversy. We handle family law matters in litigation, mediation, negotiation and collaborative law.

 

What We Do

Divorce (agreed, contested & collaborative, prosecution & defense of common law marriage)
Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (agreed, contested & collaborative, prosecution & defense, custody, possession & access, support, relocation)
Parentage (agreed, contested & collaborative, establishing/denying paternity, custody, possession & access, support)
Termination of Parental Rights (prosecution & defense, private & cases brought by TDFPS)
Adoptions (private, step-parent, TDFPS, ratification of foreign adoptions, adult adoption)
Enforcement of Court Orders (prosecution & defense, custody, possession/access, spousal support, child support, property division, receivership, pre/post-marital agreements)
Modification of Court Orders (agreed, contested & collaborative, prosecution & defense, custody, possession/access, spousal support, child support, relocation)
Registration of Foreign Orders
Pre/Post Marital Agreements
Co-Habitation Agreements
Name Change (minors and adults)

 

FAQ

What do legal services cost?

Family law attorneys generally charge on an hourly rate basis, requiring a retainer to be paid in advance for anticipated legal expenses. Simple matters may be handled on a flat rate basis, when the work required can be predicted. The cost of contested matters are difficult to predict because a large part of the work involves responding to the actions and behaviors of the opposing party or parties. All that being said, retainers for contested matters begin at $2,500. Financing may be available with approved credit and we accept VISA and MasterCard.

How long will my case take?

The majority of family law cases are resolved without the necessity of a trial. Some of those are completed with arms length negotiations and a signed agreement, others result from engaging in discovery (“fact finding”) and mediation (use of a neutral, trained mediator). Divorce cases cannot be completed sooner than 60 days from the day of filing. Most contested matters are resolved within 6 months to 2 years, although there are certainly exceptions. After consulting with our firm, we will be better able to outline the logical course for your particular legal matter.

What is Collaborative Law?

Collaborative Law is an alternative to litigation and extremely well suited to family law. Parties can agree to “opt out” of the adversarial process and choose a process designed to resolve the issues involved in a divorce using neutral allied professionals and private meetings. Dubbed “the friendly divorce”, Collaborative Law allows people to gracefully exit the marriage relationship without sacrificing privacy and respect, and allows them to protect their children from the harm of litigation. Learn more about Collaborative Law.

Do I need a lawyer if we agree?

Probably. While individuals may draft and file lawsuits, it is similar to performing your own surgery - not advisable. Many people who begin without representation often end up hiring an attorney only to learn they have missed deadlines or made errors which have cost them time and money. In addition, the art of drafting court orders which are enforceable (should the agreeing party decide later not to do what he/she agreed to do) is complex. If the parties are truly in agreement, one party may hire a lawyer to prepare and file all the necessary documents - but understand that the attorney can only  represent/advise one party to the lawsuit. If that party isn’t you, you may be waiving your legal rights without knowing.

What is mediation?

Mediation is the use of a neutral, trained individual to assist the parties is reaching an agreement to resolve their legal issues. Mediators can be lawyers, or they can be individuals with expertise in a particular area of business, or former Judges. All mediators have undergone specific training recognized by the State Bar of Texas. Learn more about mediation.

What is co-parenting?

Co-parenting is a term used to describe how the natural parents of a child or children parent those children when they are no longer together. Co-Parenting is challenging, and the challenges change with the passing of time, the introduction of step-parents, and the development of the children involved.