Family legal disputes can be very complex, emotionally difficult, and costly for both parties. Whether you are facing a divorce, child custody dispute, or are interested in adoption, it is important that you work with a family law attorney you can trust to protect your rights and provide you with the information you need to safeguard your rights. best interests of your family. .

Our divorce lawyer has extensive experience in family law and applies a unique approach to guiding his clients through the legal process. Through good advice and support, we can provide lasting legal solutions for your family. Contact us directly for more information on any of our practice areas or follow the links below:

Family Law Attorney Houston Contested and Uncontested Divorce

Whether you are filing for divorce or receiving divorce papers, ending a marriage is a complicated and emotional process. In most cases, you must sort through the years of marital property, divide it fairly, negotiate child support and alimony payments, and come up with a child support plan that is best for your child. Due to the importance of these issues, disputes can quickly arise and lead to a contested divorce.

We are experienced in contested and uncontested divorces and can protect your rights related to property division, child custody, and support as your Houston divorce lawyer. Depending on your needs, we can help you build a divorce strategy that protects your interests and ensures stability for you and your children.

Parental rights

As a parent, you not only have the right to spend time with your child. He can also make decisions about his welfare, medical care, education, religious upbringing, and other important matters. This is sometimes called “legal custody.” These decisions are usually not contentious during a marriage, but a divorce can suddenly complicate the decision-making process.

We can help you protect your rights in terms of your access to your children that is in the best interest of the child while preserving your relationship with your children. We will also fight for your right to make important decisions for your child.

Custody and visitation of children

In addition to legal custody, you usually have the right to physical custody: the ability to make everyday decisions for your child and spend time together. All parents, regardless of gender, have equal child custody rights.

While we strive to resolve child custody issues out of court, disputes are sometimes unavoidable. At the Alsandor Law Firm, we will spend time getting to know you, your parenting style, and your unique circumstances. Based on a thorough evaluation of your claim, we will craft a child custody strategy that addresses your parenting goals and the best interests of your child. This strategy may include mediation, a court hearing, or a combination of both.

We have experience in child custody matters arising out of divorce, separation, or for unmarried couples. We can also handle cases involving grandparents' rights, relocation, or modifications to existing orders.

Child support

Parents have a duty to support their children emotionally and financially. Texas sets child support guidelines that apply most of the time. These guidelines consider the income of the parents, the number of children involved, and other factors. However, there are times when you should not follow the guidelines due to the needs of a child. A family law attorney can help you fully assess her situation and calculate the appropriate amount of child support.

We can help you determine the correct support payments you owe or are owed according to Texas state law guidelines. We can also help you creatively negotiate for a different amount based on your individual circumstances.

Enforcement and Modification of Support, Visitation, and Custody Orders

Over time, you and your ex may change. For example, a person's income may go up or down significantly, making the child support or alimony obligation unreasonable. A parent may move out of state for a new job opportunity or abroad for a military deployment. This can later complicate a child custody arrangement. Or, someone could consistently violate a custody order.

When your circumstances change significantly, you can ask the court to modify or terminate a child support or custody order. You should never simply ignore a court order – violations can negatively affect your rights and may result in criminal charges. Instead, contact an experienced family law attorney who can help you file a petition and present his arguments before a judge.

We will enforce your rights if you seek a modification; or seeking to prevent a modification; or to enforce or defend an existing custody, support, or visitation order.

Property Division

During a divorce, you must divide your marital property, which includes most property and debts you accumulate during the marriage, such as:

• Real estate
• Bank accounts
• Investments and retirement funds
• Cars, trucks, boats and other vehicles
• Household items, furniture, artwork, and other personal property
• Debt, including credit card debt, mortgages, and loan payments

In most circumstances, you do not have to divide separate property, such as property you obtained before the marriage or an inheritance.

Our family law attorney, Cheryl Alsandor, is a board-certified specialist in family law, with experience in even the most complex property division cases involving real estate, businesses, investments, and retirement benefits. As a divorce attorney, she can help you establish what is subject to the division of marital property, as well as the benefits and consequences of the different types of property division.

Paternity

A father has important rights and obligations. Once he establishes paternity, he obtains physical and legal custody rights and the duty to support his child.

If you are involved in a paternity dispute, you should have an experienced family law attorney on your side. An attorney can help you develop your claims and protect his long-term interests, whether he is fighting to establish or terminate paternity.

We handle paternity disputes on behalf of mothers, fathers, and grandparents. We pride ourselves on our comprehensive approach to parenting issues. At The Alsandor Law Firm, we look at the big picture and build a strategy that addresses child custody, visitation, support, and other important issues.

Adoption

Adopting a child, or placing a child up for adoption, is a momentous decision. It also involves a lot of legal procedures. Without the help of an experienced family law attorney, it is possible to make mistakes that delay or complicate the adoption. Birth parents also need to have a clear understanding of their rights throughout the process.

It is also important to structure the adoption in a way that best suits the birth parent(s) and the adoptive family. Depending on your unique circumstances, this could involve an open adoption (where the birth parent has some contact with the child) or a closed adoption (where the birth parent is not a part of the child's life). All of these options have advantages and disadvantages.

Ms. Alsandor can protect your rights if you are a biological mother or if you wish to adopt a child. The adoption process can be complex and requires an experienced family law attorney to protect your rights. We provide legal advice that is compassionate and practical, and will guide you through the sometimes frustrating adoption process.

Prenuptial agreements

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are powerful tools. They define which assets and debts are separate property, removing them from the marital estate and protecting them during a divorce. While you may associate a prenup with the ultra-rich, they're a good idea for everyone. For example, a nuptial agreement can ensure that assets remain within your family or protect the inheritance of a child from a previous relationship. They can also protect you from the debts of your fiancé or spouse.

We have experience with pre and post nuptial agreements and can help you at any stage, from drafting, modifications to execution.

Protection orders

If you are experiencing a domestic abuse situation or have been accused of domestic violence, we can represent you in obtaining or defending against an order of protection. A protective order can help ensure your safety at home, school, or work. If your abuser violates the protection order, he or she could face criminal charges.

We take domestic abuse very seriously at the Alsandor Law Firm. If you are facing domestic violence or abuse, contact a family law attorney today. A lawyer can help you create an exit plan, file for divorce and child custody, and rebuild. All inquiries are confidential.

Name changes

After a divorce or adoption, you or your child may want to change your name to reflect these new circumstances. We represent both adults and minors in obtaining a legal name change. Our family law attorney can help simplify this process to ensure that you obtain a name change in the most efficient manner possible.