High Importance of a Dallas Family Law Attorney

We all hope when we get married that the person we have chosen to unite our life with is the one we will grow old with, but this is not always the case. In fact, divorce is becoming more and more prevalent in societies around the world. In the United States it is estimated that greater than 40% of all marriages now end in divorce. Divorce is a legal action that is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, but each state in the country is allowed to set its own laws and guidelines for the process. Texas is no exception to this and residents in the Dallas area will need to find a good Dallas family law attorney to represent them in the event of divorce or other family legal matter.

Dallas family law attorneys have all passed through formal legal education programs, but are different from counterparts because they focus primarily on legal matters covered by family law within the state of Texas. Legal matters that fall under the jurisdiction of family law include:


  • Divorce
  • Annulment
  • Child support and custody
  • Spousal support or alimony
  • Possession of property, assets, and debts

Individuals who may wonder whether or not they really need a Dallas family law attorney to represent them should consider that Texas has some laws and regulations that differ from other states. Lawyers in the area are well versed in the family law code in Texas and though expensive, they protect an individual during any legal process and ensure that they are not led astray by confusing laws.

A perfect example of why an individual may need a Dallas family law attorney can be seen in custody battles. Child custody cases, especially nasty and drawn out court cases, often make local or national headlines. As a result individuals going through a divorce may be familiar with terms such as sole custody, joint custody, and visitation rights when it comes to child custody battles. However, in the state of Texas there is no such thing as joint custody. In the simplest terms possible, child custody in Texas works as follows:

  • Sole Managing Conservatorship: One parent has the right to possession of the children, a right to financial assistance from the other parent, and the right to make decisions regarding the children.
  • Joint Managing Conservatorship: One parent has the right to possession of the children and a right to financial assistance from the other parent, but the decision making process as it regards the children is done jointly.

In both of these situations, one parent has primary possession of the children while the other is allowed visitation and has a duty to pay child support. In Texas, there is no difference in the amount of child support due regardless of sole vs. joint managing conservatorships.

Another example of the importance of Dallas family law attorneys is for alimony. Many individuals may not realize that until recently there was no provision in Texas law for alimony. Now however, there are several circumstances under which one spouse may seek alimony from the other. The state now provides three circumstances in which alimony can be ordered and these include criminal offense alimony, 10-year alimony, and life-time alimony.

Although having an attorney may seem like an unneeded expense to some individuals, possessing proper representation is important in protecting yourself in the event of litigation. Those who face potential litigation related to family legal matters should visit Familylawattorney.com. Here individuals will find a list of reputable, affordable Dallas family law attorneys who can help them navigate the tricky waters of family law.