Family Law Attorney Serving katy, tx

Divorce

Divorce is the most commonly filed type of family court case in Katy, and ending a marriage can be more complicated than the average person expects. Every divorce case is different, but almost all divorce cases require addressing a few key issues, such as child custody determination, property division, and other financial issues.

A Katy family law attorney at Skillern Firm, Divorce & Child Custody Lawyers can help you file for divorce or respond to your spouse’s divorce filing. The majority of divorces filed in Katy are contested, meaning the divorcing spouses do not agree on all aspects of their divorce and must resolve these issues before the divorce can be finalized.

Skillern Firm, Divorce & Child Custody Lawyers can develop a cohesive strategy for resolving your case as efficiently as possible. Trust our firm to help you gather documentation required for your case, explain the state laws that apply to your unique circumstances, and assist you in reaching the outcome you hope to secure.

Child Custody

When parents divorce in Katy, they must have a child custody order approved by the family court. Parents can resolve child custody by agreement however, the family court has a legal duty to ensure the best interests of any children affected by a custody order are in line with the law.  This means a Judge must evaluate multiple factors for each parent in order to make their decision.

The Family Court Judge handling your custody dispute will need to assess multiple factors such as each parent’s overall fitness for parental responsibility, their criminal history, their living arrangements, income, and the child’s preferences if they are old enough to convey them to the court.

This is an inherently emotional experience for any parent, and it is natural to want to secure as much custody as possible. Your Katy family law attorney at Skillern Firm, Divorce & Child Custody Lawyers can fight on your behalf, securing evidence you need to prove your viability for the parental rights and responsibilities you hope to obtain.

Handling a child custody case can be overwhelming, but Katy offers several local organizations that can provide additional non-legal support for families. For example, Katy Christian Ministries provides family support programs, such as counseling and emergency assistance. Family Hope is a Fulshear-based organization that offers resources for families experiencing temporary hardships.

Property Division

Ending a marriage in Katy will require resolving property division under the community property rule. This means all property obtained by either spouse during their marriage qualifies as marital property and will be subject to a just and right division. Each spouse will have the right to claim separate property, but in order for this to unfold fairly, each spouse will need to submit a complete and accurate financial disclosure statement.

In a Katy divorce, separate property may include anything a spouse owned prior to marriage, the inheritance left only to them, and gifts they have received in the past. 

High-Net-Worth Divorce

High-net-worth couples and individuals face more challenging financial issues in divorce. It is crucial to have a skilled attorney who has proven experience resolving these difficult issues if you want to preserve your financial interests in your divorce. Skillern Firm, Divorce & Child Custody Lawyers excels at helping clients with high net worth approach their divorce proceedings with confidence.

Your divorce could potentially impact retirement savings, business interests, investment accounts, stock holdings, cryptocurrency accounts, and much more. Skillern Firm, Divorce & Child Custody Lawyers can develop a cohesive financial strategy that aligns with state law and helps you secure your financial future in the aftermath of a difficult divorce.

Spousal Support

It is possible for spousal support to come into play in a divorce case when one spouse has been financially dependent on the other or if one spouse earns significantly more income than the other. If you have any concerns about this issue for your spouse, whether you are expecting to pay or receive support, Skillern Firm, Divorce & Child Custody Lawyers is ready to assist you with this aspect of your case.

Family Court Order Modification and Enforcement

The family courts in Katy recognize that life can sometimes present unpredictable challenges that directly affect standing family court orders. Unexpected medical emergencies, loss of a job, relocation, and other issues may influence the terms of your court order, and the modification process exists to provide an avenue for you to implement necessary and reasonable changes.

Your Katy family law lawyer can help you file your petition for Modification or prepare your response to another party’s petition for Modification. We can also help you petition the court for formal Enforcement of your family court order if the other party has failed or refused to meet their court-ordered obligations in any way.

Most family law cases in Katy are processed through the Fort Bend County courts (1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, Tx 77469) or the Harris County courts (201 Caroline Street, Houston, Tx 77002) depending on jurisdiction.

If you are filing a Modification or need to enforce a court order, your case will typically go through one of these courts. Our attorneys are well-versed in local court procedures, helping clients file the necessary petitions.