Many families settle in Lewisville, and with good reason. For one, the city is more affordable and diverse than some other Metroplex suburbs. In addition, I-35E heads into Dallas, and Lake Park offers some great recreation and relaxation. When couples get divorced in the city, there are often disputes over who gets the kids and who keeps the home or apartment in Lewisville. You need family law attorneys who know when to fight for what’s right and when to make smart compromises.
At the Youngberg Law Firm, our lawyers can provide mediation and collaborative solutions to maintain relationships between exes, especially if they intend to co-parent their children. However, our family law attorneys can and will be aggressive whenever the situation warrants it.
Our lawyers are ready to fight for you. We bring years of combined experience to every case we work on. To request a consultation with our family law attorneys near Lewisville, TX, contact our law firm today.
About Family Law
Family law broadly refers to the legal aspects of marriage, divorce, and domestic relationships. This includes:
- Prenuptial agreements and postnuptial agreements
- Divorce
- Division of property (assets and debts)
- Spousal maintenance (alimony)
- Child support
- Child custody
- Parental visitation
- Domestic violence/spousal abuse
- Adoptions
How a Family Law Attorney Can Help You
Not all family law disputes require an attorney, but it’s prudent to at least consult with a family lawyer if there’s an issue with the end of your marriage or access to your children. Hiring a family law attorney has many benefits and can provide much-needed clarity.
- Guidance Through the Texas Family Code: The Texas Family Code can be complicated. A lawyer can provide insight into which laws apply to your situation.
- Knowledge of How Proceedings Unfold: A family law attorney can provide an overview of hearings, what to file, and the evidence you’ll need as your case progresses.
- Help with Deadlines and Paperwork: Your attorney can make sure your paperwork is filled out properly and filed on time to avoid setbacks, delays, and expensive mistakes.
- Negotiation and Conflict Resolution: Family law disputes can get emotional. Having an attorney can keep discussions and negotiations objective when feelings get heated.
- Protection of Your Rights and Interests: Your family lawyer can let you know if any terms or resolutions are in your best interests and be your advocate when it counts.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
A prenuptial agreement is a written contract that couples create before they get married. In a prenup, each spouse states their rights and obligations regarding debts, property, and finances. Married couples can also draft a postnuptial agreement to lay out these obligations.
Common issues mentioned in a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement include property division, debt responsibility, business ownership, and other financial arrangements.
Do I Need a Prenup or Postnup?
Not all couples need a prenup or postnup, but some people in Lewisville find that these contracts can provide reassurance in the event of a divorce.
The Youngberg Law Firm can answer any questions you may have about prenups and postnups. Our family lawyers can also help draft these documents for your peace of mind.
Divorce
Getting a divorce can be one of the most difficult things in your life. Even if you’re parting amicably, you may face major disruptions in your finances and a major shift in how you raise your children.
You do not have to face these challenges alone. The Youngberg Law Firm can provide you with the answers and support you need to avoid costly errors and be able to look ahead to life after your marriage.
Help with Complicated Divorces
Each divorce presents unique challenges and concerns. For example, a divorce involving military personnel could spark disputes over child visitation, custody rights, and access to military benefits. In addition, LGBTQ/same-sex couples may face complications if they were informally married before Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015.
Our family lawyers are prepared to address any complex circumstances surrounding your marriage. We’ll use our decades of combined experience to determine the right course of action.
Division of Property
Dividing assets and debts can be extremely complicated and combative. Courts will attempt to divide property in a manner that is “just and right,” but that can be easier said than done. There are different kinds of property to consider.
- Community Property: Community property is all assets and debts acquired by either spouse during the course of a marriage.
- Separate Property: Separate property is assets and debts that belonged to one spouse before getting married.
- Commingled Property: Commingled property is separate property mixed with community property. Examples include separate funds deposited into a shared bank account or a house owned before marriage becoming a family home.
Assistance for Complex High-Asset Couples
If couples have a high-net worth, investments, crypto/digital assets, or have a stake in a business, property division can get even more difficult. Our family lawyers near Lewisville can help you divide property and protect your financial future.
Spousal Maintenance
In some divorces, one spouse may be ordered to make spousal maintenance payments to their ex. Spousal maintenance is not part of all divorces, but a spouse may be eligible for spousal maintenance if the spouse is not able to financially support themselves at the end of the marriage.
Texas courts will consider multiple factors when determining the duration and amount of spousal maintenance paid. These factors include age, employment history, education, physical well-being, and the length of the marriage.
Child Support
One parent may be ordered to pay child support to the other parent. Child support helps address the costs of raising children, such as food, clothing, housing, medical care, and other basic necessities.
When calculating a parent’s child support obligations, courts will look at the paying parent’s net income after taxes and health insurance premiums. Courts will also look at any extraordinary financial circumstances and whether a child has special needs.
Child Custody/Conservatorship
Texas uses the term “conservatorship” to refer to what other states call “child custody.” There are two common types of conservatorship.
- Joint Managing Conservatorship (JMC): The most common form of conservatorship, this means that both parents share decision-making responsibilities for their child. This includes choices about education, medical care, and faith/religious upbringing.
- Sole Managing Conservatorship (SMC): This is when just one parent has the decision-making power over a child’s upbringing. Sole managing conservatorship may be ordered when the other parent is violent or abusive.
Parental Access and Child Visitation
In some situations, a child may spend more time with one parent. The other parent can seek possession and access in order to visit their child and still be an important part of their upbringing. The visitation schedule can vary depending on the parent-child relationship.
The Best Interests of the Child
In any conservatorship or parental visitation decision, courts will always consider a child’s best interests. This means the overall happiness, health, safety, and well-being of a child. Our family law attorneys will also focus on your child’s best interests.
Fathers’ Rights
Many fathers in Lewisville are loving, caring, and great providers for their children. Unfortunately, good dads face a lot of outdated gender stereotypes, which could impact the well-being of their children. Over the years, fathers’ rights have become more important for men all over North Texas.
You Deserve Fairness Instead of Stereotypes
The Youngberg Law Firm knows you’re a great dad, and we want to make sure those facts win out during custody disputes. Our family law attorneys will be on your side every step of the way, always focusing on what’s best for your children.
Modification and Enforcement of Orders
When a divorce is finalized, court orders are created to hold former spouses accountable. You may run into a situation in which your ex ignores their financial obligations to you post-divorce, or you need to alter a court order due to life events. Our family lawyers can help with enforcing a court order or seeking modification as needed.
Reasons for Modifying an Existing Order
Common reasons people modify an existing court order include:
- There’s been a change in a former spouse’s financial situation
- There’s been a change in a former spouse’s health or wellness
- A parent needs to relocate for a job or personal reason
- A parent has been accused of abuse or neglect
- A parent has remarried
- A child 12 years old or older wishes to change their conservatorship arrangement
If you’re not sure if you need to modify a court order, just contact the family lawyers at the Youngberg Law Firm for answers and assistance.
Domestic Violence
The Youngberg Law Firm takes all allegations of domestic violence seriously.
Our family law attorneys near Lewisville can protect and advocate for survivors of spousal abuse or child abuse. We will help keep you from further harm.
Similarly, our lawyers can listen to those accused of domestic violence without judgment. You still deserve representation, no matter the allegations against you.
Protective Orders
Protective orders can prevent abusers from directly or indirectly interacting with the people they’ve harmed. Our family lawyers can help survivors of domestic violence obtain a protective order. We can then discuss additional steps for survivors to get themselves into a safer environment.
Ramifications on Family Law Cases
Allegations of domestic violence can impact child custody, visitation rights, how assets are divided, and whether or not alimony is awarded.
Whether you’re the survivor of domestic violence or have been accused of abuse or neglect, you will have a fair advocate at the Youngberg Law Firm on your side.
Family Law Mediation
A dispute with your ex does not need to turn into a fight. Many people in Lewisville have turned to family law mediation as a way to avoid expensive conflicts in the courtroom and reach a compromise.
During mediation, a neutral third party (the mediator) sits down with both parties in order to develop a mutually agreeable solution to a disagreement that’s built on common ground.
When Is Family Law Mediation a Good Idea?
Mediation is not the right solution for all situations. However, some former spouses may find that there are benefits to avoiding a heated court battle and maintaining a respectful or perhaps even friendly relationship. You should consider mediation for a family law dispute:
- When both exes are willing to communicate
- When both exes want to save time and money
- When both exes want to avoid conflict in order to co-parent
- When both exes want matters to be resolved in private
- When both exes want to have more control over the end result
As our family law attorneys work on your case, we can let you know if mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution is the right move for you.
Why Trust the Youngberg Law Firm for Your Family Law Needs
At the Youngberg Law Firm, we know that each case is unique. We tailor our strategy to meet the needs of the client, whether it involves alternative dispute resolution or aggressive representation. Our family lawyers near Lewisville have more than 40 years of combined legal experience and can craft the right strategy for your needs.
- We Know the Courts Around Lewisville: Our family law attorneys know local courts, judges, and procedures. This insight helps us anticipate how complicated issues may be addressed, including division of assets and debt, conservatorship, and the rights of fathers.
- You Work Directly with Our Family Law Attorneys: At the Youngberg Law Firm, you will work directly with your attorney. You’ll receive direct communication, updates, and answers to your questions throughout the process. Our lawyers feel that this level of engagement is essential in guiding clients through difficult disputes.
- We Understand Families in Denton and Dallas Counties: Based in nearby Denton, our lawyers understand the needs of local families who live in the Metroplex. This is important when discussing property values, finances, and other factors that could impact your case.
Contact Our Family Law Attorney Lewisville, TX Law Firm
The Youngberg Law Firm can help you find the best path forward during a difficult divorce, heated custody battle, or other kind of family law dispute. Our lawyers know how to fight when needed and compromise when it’s right for everyone involved. To request a consultation with our family law attorneys near Lewisville, TX, contact the Youngberg Law firm today.