Experienced Family Lawyer In Garland, TX
Divorces, paternity questions, and child custody disputes can take an incredible emotional toll on the families and individuals engaged in them. Working with a trusted Garland family law attorney can make all the difference.
Why Choose the Law Office of Michael P. Granata?
When you work with the Law Office of Michael P. Granata, you’ll get all the benefits of working with a boutique firm, including personalized attention and a holistic, client-centered approach. We pride ourselves on our responsiveness, clarity, and commitment to clients and go out of our way to keep them informed at every turn.
We have what it takes to get positive results for our clients. From securing above-guideline or reduced child support orders to tailoring custody arrangements to real-life family and work schedules, we’re experienced in handling a wide variety of matters and routinely collaborate with financial and mental health professionals to get our clients the results they deserve.
Why Hire a Family Law Attorney?
Texas has a divorce rate of 2.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it below the national average. That doesn’t mean that family law disputes never come up in the Lone Star State, though. Whether you’re going through a divorce or you want to protect your parental rights during a custody dispute, you can hire a family law attorney to assist you.
Your family lawyer can handle all of the details of your case so that you can focus on providing for your family and their well-being. We can handle paperwork, keep track of deadlines, and gather evidence to build a strong case. We’re experienced in both facilitating productive negotiations and litigating family law cases in court, giving us all the skill and knowledge we need to tackle any issues that could come up in your case.
Common Family Law Disputes
We assist clients with various needs about family law, including:
- Divorce and legal separation
- Child custody and conservatorships
- Child visitation
- Property division
- Marital agreements
- Parental rights and paternity
- Domestic violence cases
- Enforcement and modification of court orders
No matter how simple or complex your case may be, we have the resources required to give it the full attention that it deserves.
Texas Divorce Laws
Texas supports both fault-based and no-fault grounds for divorce. To be eligible to get a divorce in Texas, you must be a resident of the state for six months and a resident of the county for 90 days.
The Lone Star State follows the “just and right” rule for property division in divorces, which means that assets and debts are divided equitably, not necessarily equally. Factors that may convince a judge to rule against a 50/50 split can include:
- Differences in earning capacity
- Fault in the divorce
- Child custody
- Health and needs
- Separate property
A skilled attorney can help you understand the family laws that govern divorces, property division, and related issues.
Child Custody Disputes
Child custody is referred to legally as “conservatorship” in Texas. In most cases, parents are considered joint managing conservators, meaning that they both make decisions for their child. If this arrangement is not in the best interests of the child, one parent may become the sole managing conservator. This may be the case if there are allegations of:
- Domestic violence
- Substance abuse
- Alcohol abuse
- Child abuse
- Child neglect
- Absence or abandonment
Parents who are not sole conservators of their children become possessory conservators. They still have parental rights. Whether you want to push for joint managing conservatorship or sole custody, we can help you come up with a custody arrangement that meets your child’s needs and respects your parental rights.
In Texas, the person who pays child support is the one who does not have primary custody of the child. They are known legally as the obligor. The obligor makes payments to the obligee, and those payments are decided based on a percentage of the obligor’s net monthly income.
Garland Family Law Lawyer with Aggressive Representation
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FAQs
How Much Does a Family Law Attorney Cost in Texas?
How much a family law attorney costs in Texas varies. If your case is relatively simple and you anticipate resolving any associated issues in negotiations instead of going to court, you can expect to pay relatively little. Complex cases and those that require the help of a judge to reach a resolution tend to cost more. You can contact our office to get an idea of how much you should expect to spend in legal fees.
How Much Should a Father Pay for Child Support in Texas?
How much a father should expect to pay for child support in Texas varies depending on the father’s monthly net resources and who has custody of the children. You can use the state’s monthly child support calculator to get an idea of how much you might pay in child support payments based on the state’s standard guidelines or schedule a consultation to discuss your specific case with a Garland family lawyer.
Will Family Law Attorneys Take a Payment Plan?
Some family law attorneys take payment plans, but most require a traditional upfront retainer. Lawyers then draw their hourly fees from the balance of the retainer as the family law case moves forward. For simple or uncontested matters, some offices also charge single flat-price or fixed monthly fees. You can contact us to explore payment options in your case.
Is It Worth It to Hire a Family Lawyer?
It is worth hiring a family lawyer if you are engaged in a dispute, such as a divorce, custody battle, or conflict over child support payments. Your family law attorney can help you resolve the dispute effectively and efficiently, protecting your rights and interests and improving the odds of reaching a favorable outcome in your case.
Your Garland Family Law Attorney
If you’re looking for an experienced Garland family law attorney, you can trust the team here at the Law Office of Michael P. Granata to help. We know how difficult it can be to make important decisions and go through the emotional tension of handling a complex family law dispute.
With over 26 years of experience and board service with the Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section, we have what it takes to help. Contact us to schedule a consultation regarding your family law case today.
