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You may, but are not required to, allege fault in order to attain a divorce in Texas. Many divorces are alleged on the basis of insupportability, which is another way of saying irreconcilable differences. There is a mandatory waiting period in Texas, so you can expect at least 60 days before you will be divorced. Also, you have to comply with residency requirements: at least one spouse must be a state resident for a minimum of six months before the divorce filing, and must also be a resident of the county in which the divorce is filed for at least 90 days.

After a divorce is filed, the parties may obtain temporary orders in some cases to address matters such as spousal support and possession of the marital house. The final order may alter these arrangements. Your attorney will work to ensure that your interests are represented and that all necessary matters from the marriage are addressed.

In Texas, the primary concern for a judge presiding over a custody matter is the child's best interests. A judge may ask the child what his or her preferences are, and may take those requests into consideration. Ultimately, however, the court is tasked with determining what custody arrangement is best for the child.

Two specific issues that must be resolved are conservatorship and possession and access. Conservatorship concerns which parent gets to make decisions concerning the child's health, education, and other matters. Possession and access concerns the actual physical custody of the child.

At Youngberg Law Firm, we help align your parental goals and rights with the child's best interests. Child custody issues are among the most bitter that arises out of a divorce, and that's why you need aggressive and knowledgeable legal advocacy.

Child support matters in Texas are resolved based on a formula and state child support guidelines. Using the parents' income, the needs and expenses of the child, and other guidelines factors, the amount of child support is calculated. The amount generated is presumed to be reasonable and in the child's best interests, but courts can deviate from the guidelines.

Like custody, child support matters are some of the most hotly contested divorce issues. Parents often disagree over how much money the child needs for support. Another common point of contention is whether one parent is intentionally depressing their income or not being honest about how much they earn. Youngberg Law Firm is experienced in all aspects of child support. No matter which side of the child support equation you are on, we work to ensure the process is fair and that the amount ordered is reasonable.

Whether you're a victim of domestic violence or you have been falsely accused of violence against a spouse or partner, you need serious legal representation. The repercussions are substantial, regardless of which side you are on. Victims need the court's protection from abusers, which is accomplished by way of a protective order. Those accused of domestic violence could lose custody rights or have their family law cases otherwise negatively impacted if convicted.

If you've been subjected to abuse by a spouse or partner, we will investigate your claims and prepare for and attend court proceedings to make sure the abuser is kept away. On the other hand, if you've been falsely charged with violence, we will vigorously fight the accusations and ensure that your custody and other rights are protected. 

Paternity lawsuits may be necessary to determine parental rights, custody or support matters when the identity of the biological father is in question. In these instances, the court will order a genetic test. The results of this test are then used to establish a legal relationship between the parent and child and determine the parties’ obligations to support the child.

These suits may be brought by the mother, the presumed father (in many instances the husband of the mother), the man alleged to be the father, a government agency or the child (if he or she is underage, a representative must act on his or her behalf). The Youngberg Law Firm is available to offer you legal guidance, assist in filing a paternity suit with the appropriate court or defend you against paternity action.

Most adoptions in Texas are handled through private agencies or foster care. Both involve their own legal procedures, but every adoption will require a screening process, home study, and court approval. Prospective parents can expect the process to take 6-12 months to complete, although circumstances can vary greatly from one case to another.

Parents want to maximize their chances of successfully adopting a child and to take the necessary legal steps to finalize it. Count on Youngberg Law Firm to be a partner with you in this wonderful experience. We take care of the legal paperwork and help you prepare to welcome a new child into your family.

The court will likely order divorcing spouses to attend mediation which, if successful, will save the parties time, money, and stress. During mediation, a third-party neutral known as a mediator guides negotiations between the parties. The mediator does not make decisions for the spouses, but instead helps them make their own.

Your attorney will be present at mediation to ensure that discussions are productive and that you understand the legal consequences of any potential agreement. The process typically takes a full day, depending on the issues and the parties' relative positions and attitudes. If an agreement is reached, it is reduced to writing and submitted to the court for the judge's approval. If the process fails, the parties will have to go to court.