If you currently have a family or want to start one in the future, there is a good chance that you will encounter the expansive legal field of family law in Texas. Some of the happiest moments of your life fall under this practice area, such as getting married or adopting a child. Divorce and related matters may not be joyful occasions, but the relevant laws give you the opportunity to take control over your future. Many of the underlying legal issues involve minor children, putting the focus on your rights as a parent.
Knowing that family law covers some of the most intimate, personal relationships you can have, you can see why it is essential to have skilled legal counsel on your side. Our lawyers at The Ramos Law Group, PLLC are prepared to advise you on your rights and options, so please call us to schedule a consultation with a Pearland family law attorney. We can assist in any type of Texas family law matter, including:
Divorce Cases: The legal process ends the marital relationship while also sorting out issues that stemmed from the marriage to allow the parties to move on to their next chapter. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to deal with:
1. Asset Division: Community property rules apply to Texas divorce cases, so the law requires a just and right division of any real estate or personal property you acquired after getting married.
2. Spousal Maintenance: While not relevant to all divorce matters, financial support for a lower-earning spouse may be awarded when appropriate. There are numerous factors that weigh into determining the amount, duration, and related details.
3. Child Custody, Visitation, and Support: Couples with minor children still have rights and responsibilities after divorce, described in more detail below.
The Ramos Law Group, PLLC have the knowledge and skills to protect your interests in these three areas, as they may arise in:
- Uncontested dissolution of marriage, in which the parties can agree on property division, alimony, and care for minor children;
- A contested divorce, where the court must hold a hearing to enter a decision on divorce-related issues;
- High net worth divorce and cases where the value of the marital estate and complicated ownership issues present unique challenges; and,
- Divorces involving physicians and other professionals that possess ownership interests in specialized businesses.
In addition, our attorneys also focus on preventing costly, hostile divorce proceedings through advance planning. We can assist in developing a solid premarital agreement or reviewing one that has been presented to you.
Care for Minor Children: Besides being an important issue in divorce proceedings, issues related to children are also central to a paternity case or custody modification. One parent may be seeking financial support, while the other may want to exercise the father’s rights. Regardless of the context, Texas law requires application of the child’s best interest standard in such matters as:
Conservatorship: Absent substance abuse, violence, or other extreme circumstances, Texas law favors both parents sharing in custody through a co-parenting arrangement. Each will be a joint managing conservator, which provides the ability to make important decisions regarding education, health care, religion, and areas of raising a child.
Possession: The non-primary parent has rights as a “possessory” conservator, also known as set periods of possession of access to the children. The Texas standard possession order splits parenting time on a relatively equal basis, including a regular schedule, holidays, special events, school breaks, and other occasions.
Child Support: Instead of the child’s best interest standard, Texas uses a statutory formula to determine how much the non-residential parent pays for child support. Factors include the number of children requiring support and the net monthly income of the obligor parent, or the conservator responsible for the support of the children.
Legal Support for Other Family Law Issues: Our lawyers at The Ramos Law Group, PLLC also handle many other matters that fall under the umbrella of family law. We can advise you on:
- Enforcement of post-divorce maintenance and child support orders;
- Modifying custody and visitation orders where there has been a substantial change in circumstances, such as one parent moving within Texas or out-of-state;
- Adoption, including same family cases and those arranged through agencies;
- Termination of parental rights;
- Paternity cases, representing both mothers and fathers;
- Amicus and Attorney General cases; and,
- Civil orders of protection for domestic violence.
Consult With A Pearland Family Law Attorney About Your Options
This overview demonstrates that the practice of Texas family law is vast, emotional, and complicated, so retaining an experienced lawyer is crucial. For more information on our legal services, please contact The Ramos Law Group, PLLC to set up a consultation at our Pearland, TX office. Once we review your unique circumstances, we can explain how the laws work and discuss strategies for achieving your goals.