Experienced Family Lawyers in Denton County, TX
Serving Individuals & Families in Denton County,
Highland Village, Flower Mound, Lewisville & Carrollton
At North Texas Family Lawyers, our tenacious team of family law attorneys combines legal knowledge with creative strategies to bring stability and security to your situation. We understand that divorce and its related issues can take an emotional toll on everyone. We have the skills to assist you with care and compassion through this challenging time.
Our greatest priority is to protect your best interests when facing divorce and other family law matters. We understand that your decisions now can impact you for the rest of your life.
Need help with your divorce or other family law issue? Contact one of our team members online or at (972) 402-6367 to schedule a consultation.
Get Unique Representation at A Premier Family Law Firm
No two divorces are the same. They are subject to individualized circumstances and people with unique needs and objectives. At North Texas Family Lawyers, we tailor our services to you. Our team is here to help you navigate the many changes that come with your circumstances. Does your case call for an aggressive lawyer with fierce courtroom skills? Or would your interests be better served by a lawyer noted for a gentle, diplomatic demeanor? We cover both and so much more.
Our team of lawyers provides clients with efficient and effective representation using extensive family law experience. One of our attorneys, Bill Neal, is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. We also have onboard a paralegal who is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Board Certification is only granted to lawyers and paralegals who have “substantial, relevant experience” in their area of law, who have completed advanced legal education and have passed a rigorous exam. According to the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, these professional experts provide the highest quality of legal representation.
Practice Areas
Our Denton County family law attorneys represent clients in a variety of family matters including uncontested, contested, same-sex, high net-worth, and collaborative divorce; child support; paternity; child custody; parenting plans; marital property division; marital agreements; grandparents’ rights; adoption; and contested probate.
Our comprehensive services also include assistance with mental health issues related to divorce, international custody, multi-state custody and support litigation, and mediation/alternate dispute resolutions (ADR).
No matter how difficult or complex your divorce or family law matter may be, our capable team has the knowledge, experience, and resources to help you resolve it using the legal methods that will uniquely align with your needs and goals.
Understanding The Challenges of Divorce
Divorce is a significant life event that many spouses come to consider after enduring prolonged dissatisfaction or conflict within their marriage. While the decision to divorce can often bring a sense of relief and a path to a fresh start, it is not without its challenges.
Issues such as property division, child custody, spousal support, and determining an equitable distribution of assets can be stressful and contentious. Moreover, navigating the legal system and understanding your rights and obligations can be overwhelming, especially under the strain of emotional distress.
This is where problems commonly arise; without proper guidance and support, spouses can find themselves facing prolonged conflicts, increased financial burdens, and significant emotional tolls that affect not just the involved parties, but the entire family.
How Our Denton County Divorce Attorneys Can Help
At North Texas Family Lawyers, our Denton County divorce attorneys are dedicated to mitigating the stress and complications associated with divorce. We provide a compassionate yet strategic approach to protect your best interests and ensure a smoother transition. Our team is equipped to handle even the most challenging situations with professionalism and care.
With our extensive experience, we guide you through every step of the legal process and work tirelessly to resolve conflicts amicably and efficiently.
Testimonials
read what our clients have to say
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“If you are searching for an attorney I would definitely recommend this firm.”
“Mr. Neal was so pleasant and understanding to work with. He was very knowledgeable and came up with things I would have never been able to do without an attorney.”- Beth A. -
“Strong representation, better than we hoped.”
“Mr. Neal is a very experienced attorney who knows his way around the court system in Denton County.”- Don H. -
“North Texas Family Lawyers is Exceptional and Outstanding!”
“All of them worked relentlessly and with erudite diligence in settling my case. I would highly recommend their Law Firm if you are in need of an Attorney and Excellence.”- Velma D. -
“Very helpful on guiding my divorce.”
“Very helpful on guiding my divorce. Very patient and friendly.”- Ryan S.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Moving Away After a Divorce
Harry met Sally, fell in love, got married, and had, by all accounts, two adorable children. Then things slowly deteriorated and Harry and Sally ended up slogging through a bitter divorce. Custody was resolved with Sally having primary custody of the children and Harry having liberal visitation. It was not perfect, but since they both lived in the same suburb, it seemed reasonable at the time. That is until Sally remarried and her new husband got a new job 800 miles away. It happens quite often and quite often it involves a trip back to court.
And it happened to Antonio and Sylvia in a case, Arredondo v. Betancourt, that was ultimately decided by the Texas appellate court. Married in January of 2001, and a son was born several months later. The marriage lasted less than two years and the couple divorced. Both were made joint managing conservators of the child with Sylvia being given the exclusive right to determine the primary residence of the child. No restrictions were placed on any location. Antonio was granted alternative periods of possession of the child if Sylvia moved more than 100 miles away from where Antonio lived.
Sylvia remarried; after that the facts are subject to some dispute. But what was not disputed is that Sylvia ended up with the child and her new husband in Mexico and Antonio filed a petition to modify the decree to grant him the exclusive right to determine where the child would reside.
In order to succeed, Antonio had to establish a change in circumstances. Sylvia took the position that the original decree gave her unfettered discretion and placed no limitations on her ability to determine the primary residence of the child. The appeals court, in the case named Arredondo v. Betancourt, rejected Sylvia’s position and held that any finding of changed circumstances is case-specific and fact-intensive and when a parent moves a child a significant distance, a finding of changed circumstances may be warranted. The court outlined a number of facts to be considered in whether such a finding is warranted: among them, the distance involved, the quality of the relationship between the non-custodial parent and the child, the impact the move would have on the non-custodial patent’s ability to have regular and meaningful contacts with the child, the motives of the parties, and the accessibly of safe travel to the child.
The court ultimately decided that Antonio had met his burden of showing a changed circumstance based on the evidence and the facts presented.
The issues in a “move-away case” can be difficult and every case will undoubtedly be different since the facts will be unique to the parties and their lives. The representation of an experienced Texas family law lawyer is essential.
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National Adoption Month Activities in Texas
For Shari Pulliam of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), Christmas likely comes early. Since November is National Adoption Awareness Month, Pulliam finds joy in seeing children find homes so that they may enjoy the Christmas season with caring families. Across the state of Texas, mass adoptions and awareness events were held across the state to highlight the plight of foster children waiting for permanent homes and a chance at normal lives. These events culminated with National Adoption Day on November 20th.
In speaking with The Record Newspapers, Pulliam says “Thousands of older foster children are asking themselves, ‘Why not me? Why can’t I have a family?'” Adoptive parent Shelly Manning understands the apprehension many prospective adoptive parents have about foster children; that they are somehow damaged. Manning, however, believes that adoptive children are no more damaged than any other child.
Texas’ DFPS launched its “Why Not Me?” campaign in 2007 to raise awareness about foster children. Since then, adoptions have increased dramatically. In 2009, 4,772 abused or neglected children and teens were adopted from state care. Unfortunately, more than 5,800 children are still waiting for new homes. Among them, older children (ages 10-17) comprise the largest group at 41 percent. Over a third of waiting foster children are African-American.
Adoption in Texas
The adoption process in Texas has several steps. Prospective parents begin with informational meetings to learn about the adoptive process. They then proceed through an assessment by DFPS to gather information about the parents’ home, mental and physical stability and readiness for adoption. They attend a 35-hour training called PRIDE (Parent Resource Information Development Education) to understand the transitions that will take place, how children bond with parents, and how to deal with problems that may arise.
Every adoption has a home visit, where a DFPS advocate inspects the parents’ home and produces a report detailing potential safety hazards, assessing parenting abilities, and identifying key qualities for matching. The report certifies the parents’ ability to adopt, and the actual matching process follows. Prospective parents will review children’s profiles and have meetings to find an ideal match.
The process concludes with a court determining that the prospective parents meet the legal requirements for adoption, that the child is eligible to be adopted, and that the parents agree to adopt the child. The court will memorialize its findings in an Order, and the adoption will be permanent.
For additional questions about the process and the legal requirements for adoption, contact an experienced family law attorney.
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Many women lose health insurance following divorce
When couples divorce, they are generally concerned about how to divide assets and deal with the custody of their children. There is, however, another issue often overlooked during a divorce: health insurance.
It should not be, because according to research conducted by the University of Michigan, approximately 115,000 women lose their health insurance following divorces each year. In fact, after studying data from 1996 to 2007, sociologists found that 65,000 women found themselves without health insurance within months of ending their marriage.
The study published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, also found that women who have insurance through their own employers are less likely to lose their coverage compared to their counterparts who did not. However, they do not get out of the marriage completely unscathed insurance-wise. Oftentimes, the change in household finances makes it difficult for women to pay their contributions to the employee health insurance they do have.
Ways to Get Health Insurance After a Divorce
Medicaid/Medicare. If you make a low income and have children, you may be eligible for Medicaid to cover your insurance needs. If you do not have children, you may also be able to get these benefits, though it can be extremely difficult. Depending on your age, Medicare may be an option as well.
COBRA. Those who received health care from their spouse’s employer often can receive benefits through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) for 36 months. However, the monthly payments for this type of insurance can be expensive.
In addition, if you are considering this option, you must take into account how this coverage may affect your health insurance options after your COBRA coverage runs out. If you become ill while on COBRA, you run the risk that another insurance company may look at the illness as a pre-existing condition.
Private coverage. If you are unemployed or unable to qualify for health insurance through your employer, you may consider getting private insurance. Private insurance is even sometimes more affordable than getting COBRA coverage through your ex-spouse’s employer. In some cases, alimony or spousal maintenance requests may be crafted to cover the costs of insurance coverage especially when long-term marriages end.
Coverage from employer. Divorce is considered a qualifying event, so if you lose your health insurance through your ex’s employer, be sure to contact your human resources department in order to apply for a new policy with its insurance company. There is no need to try to time finalizing a divorce with open enrollment.
If you lose your insurance during your divorce, it can have devastating consequences. Contact a qualified family law attorney who can represent your interests and assist you through the divorce process.
Why Hire Us?
We know you have many choices when it comes to selecting a family lawyer.
At North Texas Family Lawyers, we offer the following:
- Experts in family law through Board Certification by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- Highly experienced attorneys and staff
- Comprehensive services that cover life issues related to divorce and family law.
- A team dedicated exclusively to issues related to the family; we do nothing else
- An emphasis on genuine client care and service
- Legal solutions tailored to your unique circumstances, needs, and goals
Reach out to us to schedule your consultation with a Denton County family law attorney at (972) 402-6367 or by sending us your contact details in our online request form.
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Accessible Counsel
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Service With Substance
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Customized Strategies
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Experience on Your Side