Family Law in Arlington, TX: A Primer
Family law is a branch of the legal system that deals with a range of issues pertaining to families and domestic relations. This includes the legal termination of a marriage through divorce, issues concerning children such as child support and custody, the division or protection of assets, and spousal or child abuse.
In the United States, each state determines its own laws regarding the family. In Arlington, Texas, as well as the rest of the state, family law issues are adjudicated in the Texas family courts specifically . The courts will apply state-wide laws and regulations to your family law case. Although many states have honed in on certain aspects of family law, Texas has retained a comprehensive approach to the issue:
The main objectives of family law are to render an efficient dissolution of the marriage, address issues relating to your children as well as solve any pending issues concerning child custody or support. A family law attorney can help you navigate this complicated issue by determining your goals, creating a plan to reach said goals and ultimately assisting you in reaching them.
Hiring a Local Arlington Family Law Attorney
A huge mistake people in Arlington make when finding a divorce or family law attorney is to hire one who is not familiar with the local Community, Courts and Judges. Especially for Family Law cases, things get complicated rapidly! If you find yourself in a legal situation where retaining a Family Law attorney you can trust is of the utmost importance, the best option for you would be to find a local Family Law attorney who knows their way around the complex legal system in your part of Texas. Having homes, businesses and farms all over the Dallas – Fort Worth metroplex, this well-known divorce law firm has plenty of experience in surrounding areas such as Tarrant County, Denton County, Collin County, Parker County and others. We have been handling divorce cases, family law matters and all issues stemming from them in Arlington, TX, since our inception and have defended thousands of clients in Family Law cases, and we have actually won their cases! Our firm specializes in helping you if you have been falsely accused of domestic violence in the Dallas Ft. Worth area. We deal regularly with false allegations of family violence, including false allegations of violence and even false child abuse allegations made against parents.
Family Law Attorney Services
A family law attorney in Arlington, TX can offer a range of legal services to assist in addressing complex family legal issues. Some of these services include:
Mediation: Before heading to trial in any case, parties should always explore the benefits of mediation. Mediation allows both parties to participate, work toward resolution and maintain control over the outcome. An Arlington family law attorney can offer support throughout the mediation process. While not always successful, an experienced family law mediator can sometimes generate positive results. We will often do this on behalf of our clients and then consult with them after the mediation to discuss the results.
Litigation: If mediation is unsuccessful, litigation may become necessary. Your family law attorney can offer litigation services to help represent you and protect your best interests in court.
Legal Advice: An Arlington, TX family law attorney can provide quality legal advice regarding language in your divorce decree or custody order. For example, if language in your property settlement prevents the immediate sale of a house after the divorce, your lawyer can advise you on the best course of action to remedy the situation. Legal advice can also be essential for filing for a post-divorce modification.
Choosing a Family Law Attorney
When you’re searching for the right family law attorney, know that there are several different factors you should take into consideration. First, you don’t want someone who dabbles in several areas of the law. You need someone with specific expertise in family law. Don’t choose someone who has a bad reputation in the community due to previous violations or who doesn’t treat clients with respect. You need a family law attorney who can listen to your concerns, advise you about what to expect in your situation, and advocate on your behalf in court, directly with the other side, and with the judge. You should have a good sense of comfort and trust regarding your attorney within the first few meetings. Don’t choose an attorney who’s rude or abrasive to you or someone else who’s important to you. Make sure you ask about their success rate, but bear in mind that not every case is won. Your family law attorney should be able to explain why certain cases have been lost and how the circumstances were particular to that situation. You’ll also want to learn more about this attorney’s experience and reputation in the community. One of the best ways to do that is by checking with the Texas Bar Association, as well as looking at online reviews. You can also ask around to see what people are saying about the attorney.
FAQs About Family Law in Arlington, TX
Understanding the family law process in Texas can seem like a tall order, and it may not be clear at first how an experienced Arlington family law attorney can help you. Here are some answers to common questions we hear from prospective clients:
1. How do I know if I need an Arlington family law attorney?
Any time you have a legal issue, you should seek the guidance of an attorney, and family law is no different. Consultations are a good way to get informed about your options and what steps you need to take moving forward. Even if you are confident that you can handle the legal work yourself, having an attorney on your team will give you an added sense of security.
2. In what counties do you practice family law in Texas?
We are based in Arlington, TX and can represent you in family law cases in Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, Parker, Johnson, Wise, Erath and Hood counties. We can also advise you if you are seeking a divorce or other proceeding as a resident in a different county.
3. What’s the difference between contested and uncontested divorce?
Simply put, when you or your spouse do not agree about the terms of your divorce, it’s contested. A litigated divorce is almost always contested , and if discussions break down that is when it becomes necessary for you to pursue a divorce litigation process.
In an uncontested divorce, the agreement already exists, and you simply need to submit the proper paperwork in a timely fashion to the appropriate courtroom. Your attorney will ensure that you file the right paperwork and meet any pertinent deadlines.
4. Does an attorney always represent BOTH spouses during divorce?
No. Your Arlington, TX family law attorney can only represent you, as a client, in your legal matters. Attorneys cannot be impartial representatives of both parties, but they can protect the interests of healthy co-parents seeking an amicable separation. In Oklahoma, divorce is generally granted only after a "cooling-off period" of 90 days after filing. In Texas, that period is only 60 days after the petition is filed.
5. If my spouse is abusive, can I still file for divorce?
Yes. If you fear for your safety, you are in a dangerous position. If you are not in immediate danger, you can file for a protective order, but if a divorce is already in motion, your attorney will likely advise you to wait for a court order and keep your evidence of the abuse updated for the judge to see.
How to Prepare for Your Initial Consultation with a Family Law Attorney
During your initial consultation, it’s important to provide the attorney with all the relevant information you have concerning your case. To effectively help you, the lawyer needs certain documents and information before your initial meeting. Make sure you bring these items: In addition to providing the lawyer with the above information, you should also prepare for your initial consultation by writing down specific questions you want to ask the attorney about your case. This will help ensure that you do not spend your time in the initial consultation meeting thinking of questions. By spending a short amount of time in advance jotting down only your most important questions, your first meeting with the lawyer will be more productive. Here are some questions you might consider asking the attorney: You can also do some research in advance of your meeting to find out more about the issues you are facing. Your lawyer will be able to explain the Texas family law process to you, but doing some preliminary work yourself will give you a better understanding of the road ahead. The Texas Family Code is a complicated legal code, filled with terms that may be completely foreign to you. However, there are plenty of online resources to help you navigate the basics on your own. You can review the Texas Family Code yourself or look at online resources to help you educate yourself about family law.
Other Legal and Family Support Resources in Arlington, TX
There are several legal and support resources available to individuals in Arlington, TX that are facing family law matters. The Texas Family Law Library is a state-run resource center that helps consumers and legal professionals to navigate the family law process. The library provides free access to computers with Internet access, along with family law books. Through the library, individuals can get information about child support, custody and visitation, adoption and termination of parental rights, divorce, property and spousal maintenance, family violence, name change, paternity, and more. Additional information can also be found at the Texas Law Help website, which provides a public database of self-help materials for consumers to use when going through various family law matters.
For Dallas County residents, the Dallas Bar Association (DBA) Home & Family Law Section helps individuals navigate family law issues. The DBA Home & Family Law Section sponsors events that address the needs of the family law bar, their clients, and the community in general . The section promotes growth opportunities for lawyers in the area of family law, and provides educational resources to the local legal community. Members of this section include family law attorneys and professionals involved in social services, accounting, psychology and mental health, and other disciplines that are associated with family law practice in the local area.
Remarriage Ministries provides services to divorcees to help individuals move forward with their lives. The local chapter, Divorced? Now What? focuses on healing and moving on in your future after a divorce. By providing educational tools and support groups, participants are provided with valuable resources for launching into successful second marriages from a healthy, stable foundation.
The University of Texas at Arlington College of Liberal Arts offers a wealth of resources to the local community, including the Center for Good, Living Well Program, Fort Worth ASAP, and the Center for Mexican American Studies. These centers provide additional support and resources to the public for a variety of personal issues and family concerns.