Protecting Your Family’s Future | Trusted Family Law Attorneys
Is your marriage not working? Are you concerned about the consequences of a divorce—how it will affect your relationship and involvement with your children, how it will affect you financially, how you’ll divide the debts and assets accumulated during your marriage? Are you considering getting married, but want assurances in advance that you won’t lose all the things you’ve worked so hard to build? Would you like to build your family through an adoption? If so, you want an experienced and proven family law attorney. Bailey & Galyen can help.
At Bailey & Galyen, we bring more than four decades of proven experience to men, women and families across the state of Texas, offering a wide range of family law services. We have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the Texas divorce laws and procedures, including matters related to child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, and the distribution of assets under the community property laws in Texas. We can also assist you with a pre- or post-nuptial agreement or walk you through the legal steps to adopt a child. We understand that the keys to a successful outcome are hard work, dedication and a commitment to listen, so that we have a clear idea of your needs. We strive to be available and accessible whenever you have questions or concerns.
For a private consultation with a skilled and dedicated Dallas family lawyer, contact Bailey & Galyen online or call our offices at 972-449-1241.
Family Laws in Texas
As in most states, the family laws in Texas are governed by a blend of statutes and common-law principles (derived from the opinions of judges). The Texas Family Code addresses a wide range of legal issues related to or involving families and family issues, including:
- What constitutes marriage, how property will be divided in a divorce and basic rules related to divorce proceedings
- The collaborative divorce process, a way of resolving issues without the intervention of the court
- The rights of a minor child in relation in family law matters
- The potential criminal or illegal acts that may be committed by minors
- Issues related to family or domestic violence, including the process for obtaining a protective order
- The parent-child relationship, including SAFCRs (suits affecting the Parent-Child Relationship)
Most Common Issues Handled in Family Court in Dallas, Texas
The vast majority of matters handled by the Dallas family courts involve divorce proceedings. As a part of divorce, the parties will typically need to come to agreement on issues related to:
- Child custody and visitation—Known in Texas as “managing conservatorship” and “access,” this involves both physical custody (where the child actually resides) and legal custody (the resolution of issues related to the child’s well-being, such as educational, medical or spiritual matters). The parties can agree to custody and visitation arrangements or may need to court to issue an order setting the terms.
- Child and spousal support—As a general rule, a non-custodial parent will be required to pay child support to the custodial parent of a minor child. In most instances, a formula is used to calculate the amount of support, based on the respective incomes of each parent and any special needs of the child. Though alimony or spousal support is less common than it used to be, the court still has the discretion to order one party to make payments to the other party, either temporarily or permanently.
- The division of marital debts and assets—Texas is one of a minority of states that apply the community property concept to the distribution of marital property. As a general rule, all assets or debts accumulated during the marriage are community property and are equally divided upon dissolution of the marriage, with some exceptions.
Reasons Why You Want a Lawyer to Handle Your Divorce Case
You may think that you can handle your own divorce but think again. Even in situations where there’s little or no acrimony or conflict, the process can still be complex, and mistakes can still be costly. A knowledgeable and experienced family law attorney will:
- Help you prepare for the divorce proceeding, so that you can minimize the cost while getting the outcome you want
- Help you explore alternative methods of dispute resolution, such as mediation or collaborative divorce, which can help you settle your differences more rapidly and with less expense
- Ensure that all assets are accurately accounted for in your community property settlement
- Prepare and timely file all documents to move you efficiently and effectively through the divorce process
- Ensure that the terms of your agreement are accurately reflected in the court order
How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost?
Family law services are typically billed on an hourly basis. Because every case is unique, it’s virtually impossible to estimate the potential cost of representation.
The Types of Cases Our Family Law Attorneys Handle at Bailey & Galyen
At Bailey & Galyen, we handle all matters related to or arising out of divorce, from the determination of child custody and visitation to the distribution of the marital estate under the Texas community property laws, and the amount and availability of child support or alimony. We can help you put an effective pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement in place and will advise you on all matters related to adoption.
Why You Want to Hire Bailey & Galyen to Handle Your Family Law Matters
At Bailey & Galyen, we have more than 40 years of experience helping men and women get the results they want in a family law matter. We understand the personal nature of divorce and will take the time to learn the unique aspects of your case, as well as what you need to move forward with your life. We are committed to being available and accessible when you have questions or concerns.
Get the Results You Need | Contact Us Today for a Free Initial Consultation
At the law offices of Bailey and Galyen, with offices throughout Texas, we are committed to your total satisfaction. We are available to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Evening and weekend appointments are available upon request, and we will travel for a consultation, if necessary.
To schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your family law concerns, call our offices at 972-449-1241 or contact us by e-mail.