Family disputes are some of the most challenging to resolve. There are often many emotions involved, and it can be difficult to keep those out of divorce, child custody, property division, and other legal matters. If you are thinking about ending your marriage or you have another family legal issue, our Fort Bend County family lawyers can assist with your case. Reach out to our team of experienced attorneys and we will make sure you get the support you need.
Below are the types of cases our seasoned attorneys have the experience to handle in Sugarland, Richmond, and all neighboring cities in Fort Bend county.
Divorce
Divorce is never an easy thing to face. Our family law attorneys can advise on the laws that will affect the outcome of your case, help you outline your goals, answer your questions, and make sure you are fully prepared for any direction your case may take.
Although divorce is hard on everyone involved, men often feel as though they are at a disadvantage. Historically, mothers were awarded child custody and men were often ordered to pay child support and alimony. Today, this is no longer the case and the family courts will take many factors into consideration when making decisions. However, gender is never one of them. Our Fort Bend County family lawyers ensure all of our clients receive the fair settlement they deserve.
Child Custody
While all divorce cases have their own challenges, those that involve children are some of the hardest and most complex. It is not uncommon for one or both parents to worry that they will not spend as much time with their children once the divorce is finalized, and perhaps even before that. There are many factors a judge will consider when making decisions on child custody, and they all focus on the child’s best interests.
Property Division
Texas is one of a handful of states that divides marital assets and liabilities according to community property law. Under the community property law, any property acquired during the marriage is considered marital property. Marital property is presumed to belong to each spouse equally and so, the courts will typically try to award both assets and debts equally, as well. It does not matter if only one person purchased the property, or if only one spouse’s name appears on a title or deed. As long as the property was acquired during the marriage, it is subject to division.
Divorce Mediation
Not all divorce cases require a bitter courtroom battle. To save money, time, and stress, more and more couples today are choosing either mediating their divorce or getting a collaborative divorce.
When trying mediation during a divorce, the couple is required to meet with a neutral, third party mediator, either together or separately. The mediator will try to help the couple reach an agreement through compromise and communication. If an agreement is reached, the mediator will submit it to the judge for approval.
Protection Orders
People are sometimes hesitant to take the first step in the divorce process because they are a victim of domestic violence, harassment, stalking, or sexual assault. In these instances, victims can petition the court to receive a protection order. A protection order prohibits one person from contacting another, and even from contacting their children in some cases. Our Fort Bend County family lawyer can help you obtain an order so you are protected.
Establishing Paternity
When two married spouses have a child in Texas, it is presumed that the man and woman are the biological parents. When two people who are not married have a child together, the same presumption does not exist. To obtain legal parental rights in these situations, paternity must be established. There are a number of ways to establish paternity throughout Texas. Parents can do this voluntarily in the hospital or shortly after the child’s birth but sometimes, the courts do have to get involved and men sometimes have to submit to a DNA test.
Establishing paternity has many benefits for the entire family. It can allow men to have a legal right to child custody, or it can allow a single mother to recover child support. Most importantly, it can allow a child to bond with both parents and establish a real relationship with each of them.
Child Custody Modifications
When a judge issues orders after resolving a family law issue, they are final and legally binding. However, your circumstance in five years may be vastly different than what it was when you were going through your divorce. For example, you may not have been awarded child custody because you were struggling with addiction during the initial proceedings. If you can show that your situation has significantly changed and you no longer have the addiction, you can petition the court to modify the existing child custody order.
Spousal Support
Many people, particularly men, worry that they will be ordered to pay spousal support during the divorce process. Not everyone is awarded spousal support in Texas divorce cases. It is only awarded when a marriage lasts ten years or more, and the recipient does not have an appropriate income or property to provide for their reasonable needs. Texas law also caps the amount of support, or maintenance, to not more than $5,000 a month or 20 percent of the payer’s average monthly gross income, whichever amount is lower.
A family law judge may order one spouse to pay maintenance, which is known as Chapter 8 alimony. Or, the two spouses may reach an agreement on their own about maintenance, which is known as contractual support.
Our Family Lawyers in Fort Bend County Can Help You Resolve Your Issue
Regardless of what legal matter you are facing, our Fort Bend County family lawyers at Ramos Law Group, PLLC, can help you resolve it. We serve clients in Fort Bend County, Sugarland, and Richmond, and we are passionate about helping our clients obtain the most favorable outcome possible. Call us now at 713-225-6200 or contact us online to schedule a case evaluation.