When your family is dealing with significant changes, whether contemplating a divorce or an adoption, you need a compassionate and understanding legal advocate to help you through the complications. A family law and divorce attorney will help you understand your legal options and work with you to determine your family’s goals for the future so you can make the best steps forward.
At Youngberg Law Firm, we are committed to delivering strong, trustworthy, and personalized legal services to our clients as their family law attorney in Denton, TX.
Family Law Services in Denton, Texas
Family law matters are often intensely personal and emotional, presenting unique challenges for those involved. Our family law attorneys believe that any issues touching on your family’s well-being, your children’s futures, your finances, and your personal safety matter more than anything. Our lawyers handle family law issues like:
- Child custody and visitation rights
- Divorces and annulments
- Spousal support and maintenance
- Prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements
- Division of marital property and debts
- High-net-worth divorce
- Dometic violence
- Adoption and grandparents’ rights
Working with our family law attorneys allows you to ask any questions you have about legal requirements, necessary steps, and how to optimize the legal outcome to benefit your family. Regardless of what type of family law situation you are encountering, you need the experienced and compassionate legal representation that Youngberg Law Firm provides. Our Denton County family lawyers are dedicated to protecting your family’s interests, advocating for your rights, and guiding you through every step of the legal process with understanding and support.
Divorce in Denton County
Divorce is a life-changing event, presenting often-overwhelming challenges but also hope and opportunities for your future. To safeguard your assets, protect your children’s well-being, and secure your future, relying on the support of a Denton County family lawyer is crucial. Whether you are in the first stages of considering a divorce or annulment or are already involved in the process, we can help you know your rights and avoid potential legal pitfalls.
Our divorce lawyers have experience with specific types of divorces that require a deeper understanding of the dynamics present and current legal statutes. These include:
- Same-sex divorce
- Military divorce
- Collaborative divorce
- Domestic violence situations
Divorce proceedings involve navigating several critical areas that determine your future and the well-being of your family. The decisions made during a divorce have lasting effects on your life and family dynamic, which is why we approach these negotiations with diligent advocacy. In Texas divorces, these key aspects are addressed with specific legal frameworks to ensure fair and equitable outcomes.
Child Custody (Conservatorship)
In Texas, what is commonly known as child custody is legally termed conservatorship. This determines parents’ rights and responsibilities regarding their children. Parents may be designated as sole or joint managing conservators, impacting decision-making authority. While one parent often establishes the child’s primary residence, both typically retain crucial decision-making rights, unless factors like a history of domestic violence, substance abuse, or other unfitness issues are present.
Parents are strongly encouraged to collaborate on a parenting plan and custody arrangement that prioritizes their children’s best interests. This agreement is then presented to the court for approval, though the court may require modifications. Our Denton County family law attorney guides families through these negotiations, helping to craft agreements that best serve the needs of all involved.
Child Support Payments
Another vital component is child support, designed to ensure children’s financial needs are met post-divorce. Texas law provides clear guidelines for calculating support, which aids in negotiating a fair amount. However, if a parent attempts to conceal income or assets to avoid their financial obligations, our family lawyers in Denton, TX can engage forensic accountants and other experts to assist in the investigation. This ensures your children receive the financial security they are entitled to. We also assist with child support modifications and the enforcement of orders.
Division of Marital Assets and Debts
In Texas, assets acquired during a marriage are generally classified as either separate property or community property. Community property is subject to division between the parties. Division does not automatically mean an equal 50/50 split. Instead, the law mandates that community property be distributed in a manner the court deems just and right.
The court’s decision on asset division is influenced by various factors, including each party’s age, physical health, earning capacity, and the primary caregiver role for any children. Judges may also consider tax implications and the extent of marital fault, such as cruelty, adultery, or abandonment, which are recognized grounds for divorce under Texas law.
Texas Family Code Chapter 3 specifically outlines what constitutes separate property, including:
- Assets owned or claimed by a spouse before the marriage.
- Property acquired during the marriage as a gift or inheritance.
- Funds recovered from a personal injury claim during the marriage.
However, exceptions exist. For example, if an inherited house has the other spouse’s name added to the deed, it can become community property. Importantly, marital debts are also subject to division. Your attorney can help ensure you are not unfairly burdened by your spouse’s pre-existing or disproportionate financial mismanagement.
Spousal Support (Alimony)
In Texas, spousal maintenance, commonly referred to as alimony, is not automatically awarded in a divorce. Eligibility for spousal maintenance is determined by specific factors, such as one spouse’s inability to become self-sufficient after the divorce. Additionally, at least one of the following conditions must apply:
- The paying spouse was convicted of domestic violence that occurred during the divorce proceedings or within 2 years prior to filing.
- The requesting spouse faces earning limitations due to a mental or physical disability or the need to care for a child with a mental or physical disability.
- The marriage lasted for at least 10 years.
Each case is unique, and your divorce attorney will work to present the strongest possible argument for spousal maintenance. This often involves demonstrating your need and outlining your plans for education or other means to enhance your earning capacity.
Benefits of Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Entering into a marriage is a significant life event, but while the focus is naturally on building a future together, it is also a time when couples should consider legal agreements to clarify financial expectations and protect individual interests with a prenuptial agreement.
What’s the Difference Between a Prenup and Postnup?
A prenup is a written contract entered into by a couple before marriage outlining how their assets, debts, and other financial matters will be handled in the event of a divorce or death. After marriage, this agreement may still be helpful and is referred to as a postnuptial agreement.
How a Family Law Attorney Can Help Draft a Prenup or Postnup
Our family lawyer can help you create a solid prenup or postnup that protects assets, clarifies existing debts, outlines wishes for children from past relationships, addresses financial responsibilities, and encourages open communication. To be legally enforceable, prenuptial agreements must be in writing and signed by both spouses. It must have fair and reasonable terms, involve full and fair disclosure of assets, debts, and financial obligations, and be entered into voluntarily, without coercion or duress.
If you are getting married or are already in a marriage and believe that a prenup or postnup would be beneficial, consult with an experienced family lawyer from Youngberg Law Firm. If you are considering divorce, we can help you evaluate your existing agreement to ensure that it is sound and enforceable. We will help you have peace of mind that your agreement is properly drafted, meets all legal requirements in your jurisdiction, and effectively reflects your intentions.
Our Family Law Attorneys Use Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods
Whether navigating the terms of your divorce or debating child support orders, family law matters do not always have to be grueling, argumentative, expensive, or lengthy court battles. Our family law attorneys strive to utilize alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods to resolve disputes peacefully while prioritizing your best interests. ADR techniques include negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
Mediation brings together the two opposing parties, along with their lawyers, to hash out the specifics with the help of a neutral third-party mediator. In a divorce mediation, the goal is to bring both parties to a mediated settlement agreement, which allows you and your spouse to resolve some or all aspects of your divorce. Once the agreement is finalized and signed, the mediator files it with the court, which then issues the final ruling and divorce decree.
Choosing alternative dispute resolution techniques can significantly reduce the stress, cost, and time associated with family law issues. Your mediator, often a retired judge or attorney with experience in family law, helps both parties set aside emotions to reach a fair resolution. In Texas, mediation is highly encouraged, and in some cases, Denton County courts may require it before proceeding to trial.
Denton County Family Law Attorneys Support Survivors of Domestic Violence
Cases involving domestic violence bring serious legal ramifications and urgent safety concerns. Our Denton County family lawyers at Youngberg Law Firm are dedicated to protecting survivors with a supportive yet firm legal approach. If you are a survivor of domestic violence in Denton County, you do not have to face this alone. We are here to provide the dedicated legal support and protective measures needed for a new, safe beginning.
How Domestic Violence Affects Family Law Proceedings
When domestic violence impacts a family, it affects everything from child custody and support to property division and spousal maintenance. We understand the heightened emotional toll and complexities involved, recognizing that survivors need unwavering advocacy for their safety and a path to a life free from abuse. We prioritize safety by first seeking protective orders, which legally prohibit abusers from contact and harassment. For children, we work to restrict abusive parents’ access, advocating for supervised visitation or, in severe cases, termination of parental rights, always focusing on the child’s best interests.
Domestic violence also influences divorce settlements, impacting asset division, as judges may consider marital fault, and can be a critical factor in spousal maintenance eligibility. We present compelling cases that highlight the abuse and its financial implications. Our approach blends strategic legal action with empathy. We handle negotiations and litigation with a clear focus on our clients’ long-term safety and well-being, aiming to reduce stress and ensure their rights are vigorously defended.
Your Trusted Denton County Family Law Attorneys
At Youngberg Law Firm, our experienced team of attorneys is dedicated to guiding you through all aspects of family law. We understand the emotional and financial challenges that arise during these times, and we’re here to help you navigate them with confidence. From divorce and child custody battles to establishing child support and facilitating adoptions, we have the experience needed to protect your interests.
Our team, led by founding attorney Mike Youngberg, is dedicated to ensuring you understand how the law applies to your unique situation, answering your questions, and preparing you for every step of the process. As your Denton family lawyer, we prioritize your children’s well-being in a divorce, striving to craft custody and support agreements that are likely to be approved by Texas courts. If your divorce is contentious, we will work diligently with the other parent’s attorney to minimize stress and prevent unnecessary delays.
Mike Youngberg brings invaluable insight from his experience with the Child Support Division of the Texas Office of the Attorney General. This background allows us to aggressively advocate for your needs, approaching your case with a comprehensive understanding of both sides of the law. Beyond divorce and child support, our firm also provides dedicated assistance with adoption proceedings, helping you navigate the legal complexities of expanding your family. As shown in our testimonials, we are devoted to supporting families through both challenging and joyful times, providing steadfast legal representation every step of the way.
Contact Our Family Law Attorneys in Denton, TX Today
No one is excited at the thought of getting legal support for their personal family issues, but the reality is that it is often required to ensure the best path forward. Our family lawyers focus on helping you identify what matters most and work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome as efficiently as we can. While we strive for a swift resolution to minimize your emotional and financial burdens, we will never compromise your needs or best interests.
When you are ready to start planning your family’s next stage in life, contact a compassionate and experienced family law attorney from Youngberg Family Law. Schedule a free case consultation with our team today and discover how we can help you.