Divorce Lawyers in Houston, TX

What Traits Should You Look For?

Many clients are unsure about what to prioritize when selecting a Houston divorce attorney. The following traits can help you identify the right lawyer:

• Qualified: Look for lawyers with recognitions such as awards, client testimonials, and memberships in professional organizations. These accolades indicate a commitment to excellence. For instance, our Associate Attorney, Alexandria Foster, was named Texas Rising Star Attorney 2024 by Thomson Reuters.
• Experienced: Family law experience is crucial. A skilled attorney will navigate property division, child custody, spousal support, and mediation or litigation effectively.
• Communicative and Accessible: Timely updates and clear communication about your case are essential. While constant availability isn’t realistic, a good lawyer should address your concerns and keep you informed of progress.
• Analytical: A strong legal strategy backed by research and preparation is key to achieving favorable results. Your lawyer should be adept at analyzing complex situations to craft a compelling case.
• Local Knowledge: Texas family law cases benefit from attorneys familiar with local laws and court systems. A Houston-based lawyer will understand nuances that may impact your case.
• Focus on Mediation: A skilled attorney prioritizes negotiation to resolve disputes amicably and efficiently, particularly in custody cases, reducing the need for courtroom litigation.

Evaluate Experience and Service

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, evaluate potential lawyers’ experience and service:

• Clarify Who Will Handle Your Case: Ask if the attorney you meet with will personally manage your case or delegate it to associates or paralegals. Understanding who will oversee your strategy helps set expectations.
• Understand Their Experience with Similar Cases: If your divorce involves unique elements like high-value assets or complex custody disputes, inquire about their familiarity with those issues.

Questions to Ask During Consultations

To ensure you’re choosing the best fit, prepare to ask specific questions:

• Spousal Maintenance Estimates: Ask for a general range of what you might pay or receive in spousal support. An experienced lawyer can provide insight into likely outcomes based on Texas law.
• Filing Strategy: Determine whether a no-fault or fault divorce is better for your situation. Your attorney should explain the benefits of each option.
• Potential Challenges: A knowledgeable lawyer will identify potential issues, such as custody conflicts or asset division complexities, and propose solutions tailored to your needs.

By conducting thorough research, focusing on key traits, and asking detailed questions, you can feel confident in selecting a Houston divorce lawyer who will advocate for your needs and help achieve the best possible outcome.

Practice Areas

Our skilled divorce lawyers in Houston can help you with every aspect of your case. We cover matters, such as:

Contested Divorces

After a long period spent together, your lives become extremely entangled, and dividing property, deciding custody, and calculating spousal support can all be sore topics of contention for most divorcing couples.

Contested divorces can get expensive and may take a long time to resolve. A skilled attorney will help you work through these issues and will use their experience to convince the other party that your claims are reasonable and fair and should be agreed upon.

Your attorney might use things like mediation and arbitration when the discussions begin to stall. In mediation, our attorneys exclusively represent one party. Sessions involve separate rooms for each party, with the mediator as the primary communicator, fostering focused discussions for a mutually agreeable resolution.

Every attorney at our law firm is a skilled negotiator, which can save you in the long run emotionally and financially.

Modification of Order

When it comes to a court order, the orders are not permanently set in stone. If your circumstances change for reasons like a lost job or health issue, you can ask the court to modify your order.

The court may also modify your order if you feel that your children are no longer safe with your ex. If you have grounds for this request for modification, the Judge will listen and may change your custody agreement.

It can be very difficult to get a modification of a custody order.

You will need a good cause, and for the best possible outcome, you should make sure you hire the representation of a skilled lawyer who has experience dealing with child custody disputes.

High-Asset Cases

When it comes to higher-asset cases, it can become a lot more complicated to divide property between spouses. All assets will need to be valued and categorized into either community or separate property.

Any property obtained during the marriage is presumed to be community property as Texas is a community property state. To prove otherwise, you will need to show evidence. 

Separate property under Texas law is property obtained by a spouse before marriage or property received from inheritance or as a gift during the marriage.

Child Custody

Figuring out who gets primary custody of the children can be a sensitive subject. One where tempers can run high. For divorcing couples, it can be very difficult to reach an amicable child custody agreement.

Remember, nothing is more important than your children, and it is essential to put their well-being above the need for anything else.

The way to navigate this sensitive area is to mediate with a skilled attorney Houston families trust. We will prioritize your children from an unbiased standpoint and will ensure they are protected during the agreements.

Mothers’ and Fathers’ Rights

As either a mother or a father, both parents have certain rights. In the state of Texas, these rights are equal and this means neither has the advantage when it comes to seeking custody unless proven otherwise.

This becomes a problem when both parents are fighting for custody, and unfortunately, it can be the children who suffer in a prolonged dispute.

To avoid this, seek the help of a skilled Houston divorce attorney, one who has experience in family matters and has a stellar attitude toward protecting your father’s rights, your mother’s rights, and your children.

Our job as family lawyers is to ensure that your rights are protected.

We will help you protect your custody plan if you have primary custody, and we will fight to ensure you can see your children if you do not. We believe that in situations where both parents want to see their children, both parents deserve that right unless proven otherwise.

Enforcement

When it comes to child custody or spousal support, orders have to be followed and respected by all parties. Things that violate these orders include forbidding your ex from seeing your children or refusing to pay.

When this happens, the law is on your side, and this means you have the right to seek help.

We firmly believe we can ensure that your rights are protected and these court orders are enforced.

We can sit down with your ex and/or their attorney, and in the worst case, we can ask the court to step in and help too.

If your ex is being unreasonable and is violating the order, this can be grounds to seek an enforcement of the order. Your lawyer will be able to show the court that your ex is acting in contempt of court and its orders.

Property Division

It is a common misconception that in Houston and the rest of Texas, the property is divided equally between the two parties, but this is not necessarily the case. Texas is a just and right division state. This means that both parties have the right to their ‘fair’ share of the marital estate. However, ‘fair’ doesn’t mean equal.

There are numerous factors the court can consider in a disproportionate share of the marital estate. The court can consider your ability to earn as well as any debt you have. They can also consider the fault in the break up of the marriage. For example, if one spouse committed adultery during the marriage.

Recovery of Attorney Fees

Sometimes a spouse may have a larger financial pool to use for their attorney fees. When this happens, they might start filing petty claims.

If you think this is the case, your lawyer may be able to request the Judge to order them to pay your attorney fees. This is not guaranteed, and it will be up to the Judge. If divorcing your spouse is becoming a financial burden through your spouse’s misconduct, you should consider asking your lawyer about it.

Domestic Violence

Unfortunately, in today’s world, domestic abuse and violence are common occurrences. When you seek the representation of a skilled and reputable lawyer, we are available to help immediately. As soon as you bring the matter to our attention, we can apply for an order from the court for your protection. 

This gives you room to breathe and will allow you to file for your divorce while you and your family are in a place of safety.

When it comes to domestic abuse, never hesitate; please seek immediate assistance from the authorities for your safety.

False domestic violence allegations are also on the rise, and it is not unheard of for spouses to accuse their partners in an attempt to ensure custody.

We have experience in dealing with these types of claims, and each of our experienced lawyers can help you fight these accusations to the fullest extent. With the right attorney, you can overturn these accusations, discrediting your spouse in the eyes of the court in the process.

Spousal Support

Spousal support is crucial for many people divorcing their spouses. To obtain it, you and your attorney will need to prove to the court that you are going to need financial assistance.

Your attorney will help you put forward a compelling case to the Judge. If there is a huge disparity in your income, or you sacrificed your career prospects to take care of your children and family, your lawyer can use these reasons in your request to the Court.

Navigating Divorce with a Narcissistic Spouse in Houston

Divorce can be an emotionally challenging process, especially when dealing with a narcissistic man or woman. Narcissism often complicates relationships, making it difficult to communicate effectively or reach amicable agreements. If you suspect your spouse exhibits narcissistic traits—such as a lack of empathy, a constant need for admiration, or manipulative behavior—it’s crucial to understand how these traits may impact your divorce proceedings.

For example, narcissistic individuals may attempt to prolong the process, create unnecessary conflict, or use legal tactics to gain control. Recognizing these behaviors early can help you prepare and protect your interests during the divorce.

Working with an experienced Houston divorce attorney is essential when dealing with a narcissistic spouse.

A skilled attorney can help you navigate the complexities of the legal system, anticipate potential challenges, and develop strategies to counteract manipulative tactics. Additionally, understanding the risks of staying in a relationship with a narcissistic spouse—such as emotional abuse or financial manipulation—can empower you to make informed decisions about your future.

Whether you’re seeking clarity on your spouse’s behavior or exploring your legal options, a knowledgeable divorce attorney can provide the guidance and support you need to move forward confidently.