Houston Women’s Rights Lawyer: Divorce Lawyer for Women
When dealing with a divorce many women feel overwhelmed, anxious and scared about the process. Worries over finances, children, and the opinion of friends and family are quite common as well.
If you find yourself in this situation, know that you are not alone. As Houston divorce attorneys, we are here to provide support and guidance to any woman who is considering divorce or who has been served divorce papers and is unsure as to what to do next.
Even if your spouse seems amicable at the beginning, certain issues can lead to a breakdown in communication. This is especially true with the more heavily contested issues like spousal support, division of assets, and child custody.
When communications break down like this the court may need to intervene and make decisions for you and your spouse, and their decision may not be one that either of you likes. Due to spread out hearings, this route usually takes a lot more time.
The rights of men and women in family law disputes, including child support, relocation, child custody, possession and access, and division of assets, are considered neutral under Texas law. This means no Texas courtroom will use gender bias in their decisions.
However, there are unique issues facing women in these cases, and this may mean that you need a law firm that takes the time to listen to your needs. One that strives to secure the best possible future for you and your family.
If you are facing a divorce or family law dispute and are concerned that you are not being treated fairly, you should speak to an experienced family law lawyer at Skillern Firm.
Contact Skillern Firm to Protect your Rights
As a Texas family law firm, we are equipped to deal with any family law matter. This means that, when we provide you with a skilled and experienced divorce attorney, they can do more than just help you through a divorce.
Skillern Firm is a family law firm based in Houston. Our women’s rights lawyers have a wealth of experience dealing with a broad range of cases involving family and divorce law.
Whatever your situation, we will fight to provide the best possible outcome for you and your children if you have them.
To schedule an initial consultation regarding your case, contact our Houston office today at 936-213-8479.
Issues That Affect Women’s Rights in Family Law
While women and men face equal rights under Texas family law, some issues will be experienced differently by different genders.
At Skillern Firm, we work with both male and female clients and whenever we take on a new client, we work tirelessly to ensure that we meet their needs and respond to the circumstances of their case.
Divorcing Your Husband
Deciding to divorce your husband is often a difficult decision. As a result, women can endure years of unhappiness before proceeding with a separation. When they eventually do make the decision, they are often emotionally exhausted before the proceedings even begin.
Some common experiences women face before finally filing a divorce could include:
- Domestic abuse (emotional/physical).
- Infidelity (cheating husband).
- Not being respected, heard, or treated as an equal.
- Parenting disputes regarding step-children.
- Substance misuse, such as frequent alcohol consumption.
- Controlling husband.
- Difficult in-laws that have authority or influence over marital issues.
Child Custody
If you have children, the stress of your divorce may be compounded by the concerns for your children. There may be questions regarding how the divorce will affect them, where they will live, where they will attend school, and how you can provide for them as a single woman.
At Skillern Firm, we understand these concerns and we strive to achieve the best possible outcome for the children involved. We have experience helping women with all issues that are important to them as mothers, including but not limited to:
- Child support.
- Financial stability after divorce.
- Relocation.
- Child custody.
- Spousal support.
Dividing Assets
Texas is one of nine states that operates under a community property system, which means that when dividing assets upon divorce, they will be characterized as either community or separate.
In states that operate under a community property system, assets earned during the marriage generally belong to both parties and are therefore usually divided equally between both individuals.
Dividing assets is rarely simple. There may be important assets that belonged to individuals before they married. There could also be inheritances or gifts that were given to one person but were obtained during the marriage. Stocks, bonds and pensions are also often challenging to divide.
In most circumstances, the division of assets will need to be decided in a court of law, especially property division, which is one of the most contested aspects of a divorce case.
Property Division
Property division is often an important aspect of divorce. Generally, if it was acquired during the marriage, then it is presumed to be community property and subject to division by the court.
Although the preference is for parties to reach an agreement regarding the division of assets and liabilities outside of court, sometimes polarizing opinions about how the community estate should be distributed make this impossible.
In these cases, it becomes necessary for the court to apply Texas state law and divide the estate in a just and right manner, according to the regulations of the state.
Domestic Violence
Unfortunately, we see many cases every year that involve domestic violence. In these types of cases, it is essential to have an experienced lawyer handling your case. Law firms that are not adept in family law may not have the experience necessary to handle your case with the consideration and compassion it needs.
At Skillern Firm, we will get to work immediately to protect you and your family.
We understand how difficult these situations can be and that you may be afraid to take such an action. At Skillern Firm, we never judge, and we always take the time to listen to your concerns. We will handle your case with the utmost care and consideration.
Qualities To Look For in A Divorce Lawyer For Women in Houston, TX
For many women who are considering hiring a divorce attorney, the decision of who to choose to represent them is a difficult one. After all, most clients have never had the need to seek representation from a law firm in any capacity before.
Here are the areas that we pride ourselves on here at Skillern Firm, and these are the qualities you should consider if you are looking for a family law attorney to handle your divorce in the most capable manner.
Proven Track Record
Any good divorce attorney will have a long list of glowing recommendations and referrals from previous clients and will be more than happy to show you their previous victories and success stories.
You can also check your potential attorney out on independent sites like AVVO. These sites place a rating on attorneys based on their years of service, client reviews, accolades, peer reviews, and awards.
Many of the attorneys here at Skillern Firm can boast 10.0 AVVO ratings, which showcase our pedigree as a law firm you can trust.
Courtroom Experience
While the ability to negotiate and mediate between you and your spouse is crucial, you should still ensure that your attorney is skilled in litigation because it may be necessary for them to protect your rights in family court.
At Skillern Firm, our goal is to keep court involvement to a minimum. However, all of our attorneys are skilled litigators and will always be prepared to advocate on your behalf. Our attorneys have won favorable outcomes for numerous clients, both in and out of the courtroom. This gives us a huge pool of experience to draw upon and we can handle your case no matter what direction it takes.
Skills in Negotiation and Mediation
When it comes to your divorce case, the main goal is to come to amicable agreements outside of the courtroom. This may seem impossible right now, but with the help of an experienced divorce attorney, you may be surprised.
Here at Skillern Firm, we ensure that every attorney on our team has the skills necessary to mediate and negotiate in even the most high-emotion situations.
Mediation has many benefits, including:
- Saves time because, without it, you could wait for many months between court dates.
- Protects children from a long court battle.
- Helps to foster an amicable relationship between you and your ex-spouse.
- Gives you more freedom to come to personalized arrangements that are not dictated by a Judge.
Personal Considerations
All divorces are unique, and there may be certain aspects of your case that need a specialist’s attention. If your divorce involves significant assets, you will need a divorce attorney that has experience in high-asset divorces.
Here at Skillern Firm, our attorneys have a diverse range of unique skills. This means that we can assign you an attorney based on the specific needs of your individual case.
Ensure You and Your Attorney Get Along
Make sure that you take the time to determine whether you truly get along with your attorney or notamicabl. You will spend a considerable amount of time with them, discuss personal matters with them, and may be dealing with them for several years to come. You should ensure that your views align and that they are compassionate to your needs.
Use your initial consultation to ensure that your personalities and values do not clash.
Accessibility
All good divorce lawyers will have a full caseload. This means that they will often be busy and will have to allocate time to each client. You should not expect to have around-the-clock access to your attorney. They should, however, answer your questions in a prompt manner.
Here at Skillern Firm, we take the time to build a secure, trusting attorney-client relationship. This means you will be kept informed about your case and educated about your rights, and we will always ensure we make ourselves available if you need us.
Location
Be wary of national attorneys that claim they can represent people across the entire United States. When it comes to family law and divorce proceedings, this is a disadvantage. Your attorney should be local, as it allows them to be physically present when it comes to attendance to in person hearings and mediating in meetings between you and your spouse.
Another reason to hire a local attorney is that they know the specific laws of the state and will most likely have dealt with the local courts and Judges.
At Skillern Firm, we only operate in certain parts of Texas. This gives our attorneys in-depth knowledge of the laws that apply in those parts of Texas. We have dealt with the local courts and Judges, which can be a massive advantage.
Our practice areas cover Houston, Sugar Land, Fort Bend County, Harris County, Cypress, Katy, and Montgomery County.
Experience in Domestic Violence
If you have suffered domestic violence during your marriage, it is important that your attorney is sympathetic and compassionate. Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure, and we will do everything we can to help.
We can help you file an injunction, which provides you space to file your divorce without your spouse causing problems for you or your children.
Our Female Divorce Attorneys at Skillern Firm
At Skillern Firm, we understand that some people want to work with women attorneys. Whether you have had traumatic experiences with men or you just feel more comfortable confiding in another woman, our team includes seven skilled women attorneys who have the skills and experience necessary for your case.
Here is a quick introduction to three of our female attorneys:
Robin Klein – Senior Council
Robin W. Klein graduated from South Texas College of law in 2004. She went on to become Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, something that just 1% of the family lawyers in Texas have accomplished. She has worked for over 13 years specializing in family law exclusively.
As a single mom, she understands the difficulties facing women regarding divorce, children, and financial struggles. She has a passion for helping her clients get through the legal process in a friction-free manner so that they can continue with the next chapter of their life.
Caitlin Thorpe – Senior Associate Attorney
Caitlin attended South Texas College of Law, where she committed most of her time to issues that affect our clients, including family law, estates, marital property, and family trial advocacy.
Caitlin has been a member of Skillern Firm for over seven years and has practiced family law exclusively. She is well equipped to handle all types of family law matters and guide you through the process.
Tina Floridia – Associate Attorney
Tina is passionate about advocacy, and her approach is responsive and client-focused. Tina has a degree from the South Texas College of Law and a mediator’s certificate from the Frank Evans Center for Dispute Resolution. She strives to help families foster healthy co-parenting relationships.
Laws That Apply to Family Law
Family law is a body of law that falls primarily under state jurisdiction. While there are some exceptions, such as child welfare-related acts, for the most part, family law varies from state to state. In Texas, the statutory rules that apply fall under the Texas Family Code.
The Texas Family Code is constantly evolving to progress with the growing issues that families face. It is filled with lengthy and difficult to read text that is frequently being revised and amended. While this may seem overwhelming to someone untrained in the law, an experienced attorney will be able to help you navigate the legal system and ensure your rights are protected.
The biggest mistake that women often make in a divorce case is accepting an offer from a partner without a lawyer. Even if you would like to reach an agreement informally, having a lawyer review the proposed offer is essential. What seems like a fair offer from your spouse may not be ‘just and right’ according to the Texas Family Code.
How to Choose an Attorney in Texas
When hiring an attorney in Texas, there are many law firms to choose from, which can make it feel like an overwhelming choice. Especially when choosing the right attorney is of the utmost importance to you and your family.
At Skillern Firm, our team is experienced and dedicated. Our skilled team is committed to securing the best possible outcome for your case while protecting your rights and interests. We are not only concerned with winning your case but also ensuring that you are in the best position possible for a bright new future.
During your initial consultation, you can ask questions and make an informed choice yourself. Some questions you should always ask potential attorneys include:
- What is your level of experience?
- Can you show me testimonials from previous clients?
- Have you handled similar cases to mine, both in and out of court?
- When can I expect communication?
- Who is your typical client?
Contact a Family Law Attorney in Houston Today
At Skillern Firm, we are committed to women’s rights in Houston. We work tirelessly to ensure that your rights are protected and that the outcome of your case is fair.
We ensure that we take the time to find out what is unique about your case. We listen to your concerns and adapt to meet your needs. We strive for negotiation and mediation in a civil manner, as we believe that where possible, this is often what is best for our clients and their families. However, if needed, we will be prepared to take your case to court.
When you agree to seek legal advice and representation from an attorney from Skillern Firm, you will secure representation from the very best. We value our attorney-client relationship and will fight to preserve the legal rights of any woman.
Skillern Firm offers an initial consultation so that you can get the information you need and ask any questions you may have before you agree to representation. At the very least, this consultation will mean you are armed with more knowledge and a greater understanding than you had before.
Our goal is to guide and support you through this difficult time and help you transition into your new life as quickly as possible. Contact us or give our experienced team a call today at 936-213-8479.