Bee Cave Family Lawyer

Bee Cave, TX Family Law Attorney

Family law can be complex, and cases can often involve contentious disputes and heightened emotions. The outcome of family law matters can have a significant impact on finances and affect the well-being of children and other family members. If you are facing issues such as divorce or child support, a trusted Bee Cave, TX family lawyer at Vaught Law Firm, P.C. can help.

Family Law in Texas

When you need help with a legal matter, it’s crucial to work with a Bee Cave, TX Family Lawyer who has extensive experience in the specific legal area of concern. Family law attorneys focus on the laws, regulations, rules, processes, and court procedures that pertain to family relationships. The most common matters include:

• Divorce – Texas allows for both no-fault and fault-based divorce. No-fault is the most common kind of divorce, where there is no need for there to be grounds. Fault-based divorce is rare, and one spouse has to show that the other is responsible for ending the marriage through adultery, cruelty, or other grounds. Divorcing spouses have to decide how to separate marital assets and care for any children or other dependents from the marriage.
• Property division – In Texas, all assets owned by both spouses are generally split equitably, which is not always the same as evenly, and considers how long a couple was married, each spouse’s income and earning capacity, and other factors. Items brought to the marriage are considered separate property and usually cannot be split as part of a divorce.
• Spousal Maintenance – This support is money paid from one spouse to their ex-spouse. However, spousal support does not apply in every divorce case. When spousal maintenance is necessary, it is generally due to a significant difference in the income of the spouses during the marriage. In most cases, payments are monthly but may be ordered on a different schedule to meet the unique needs of the family.
• Child custody – Called conservatorship in Texas, this includes who can make decisions for the child and who the child lives with. Creating a detailed parenting plan is crucial, and the plan often needs to be modified over the course of years. It is common for conservatorship to be part of a divorce, but couples who were never married also need a legal arrangement for parenting when their relationship ends.
• Child support – Every parent is required to financially support their child. This does not always mean an equal split between parents. Texas uses a complex formula to determine each parent’s responsibility, which includes the parents’ income and expenses as well as the child’s needs. If one parent’s income is considerably higher or the child lives with one parent more frequently, child support payments can often be ordered by a family court judge.
• Prenuptial agreements – A prenuptial agreement is a type of contract entered into by a couple before they get married that sets out how financial matters should be resolved in the event of divorce or death. Prenuptial agreements can be very broad or very specific, but they have to be lawful, including being entered into voluntarily by both spouses. Prenuptial agreements that do not meet legal requirements may be contested.
• Mediation – Family lawyers often also work in mediation, an alternative legal process that can prevent having to go to court and may often save money and time in family law matters. Mediators act as neutral third parties and facilitate agreements between family members in child conservatorship, divorce, alimony, and other disputes. However, mediation may not be the right choice for every case, especially when there is a lot of conflict or power imbalance.

Families and Divorce in Bee Cave

The latest American Community Survey shows that 2319 families live in Bee Cave, Texas, and of those, 1,116 have children under 18 living with them. At the state level, Texas has a marriage rate of 19.1 per 1,000 residents, a significantly higher marriage rate than the national average of 16.7, according to the most recent report by the U.S. Census Bureau. However, the divorce rate is 7.4, which is about the same as the U.S. average of 7.1.

FAQs About Bee Cave, TX Family Laws

Q: How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost in Texas?

A: The cost to hire a family lawyer in Texas can vary, depending on the specific details of the case. Factors can often include whether the case is contested, what legal actions are required, such as determining paternity, and whether additional professionals are needed, like forensic accountants. The most significant factor can often be whether the case can be resolved outside of court or has to go to trial to be settled.

Q: Who Decides Family Law Cases in Bee Cave?

A: Family law cases in Bee Cave are decided by Travis County family court judges. Unless otherwise specified, family court proceedings, hearings, and trials are held at the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility (CFCF) at 1700 Guadalupe Street in Austin. This includes divorces, spousal maintenance, marital property and asset division, child conservatorship, child support, and other related legal disputes.

Q: What Is the Difference Between a Lawyer and an Attorney in Texas?

A: The difference between a lawyer and an attorney in Texas is that an attorney is always a lawyer, but not all lawyers are attorneys. Both lawyers and attorneys study the law and complete law school, but attorneys have to pass the bar exam and be licensed in order to practice law and represent clients in court. Non-attorney lawyers can teach, consult, work in research, or work for companies in various capacities.

Q: When Should You Hire a Family Lawyer?

A: When you should hire a family lawyer depends on your individual circumstances. In some cases, a family may choose to work with a mediator without separate legal counsel. However, mediators are not able to provide legal advice to either party, so mediation generally only works well in cases without high conflict, abuse, or other significant issues. In such cases, parties need separate legal counsel to make sure their rights are protected in the process.

Experienced Family Lawyer & Law Firm in Bee Cave, Texas

The trusted legal team at Vaught Law Firm, P.C. has more than 40 years of experience providing top-quality legal representation through litigation, arbitration, mediation, and collaborative family law. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation.