Austin Family Lawyers at Stange Law Firm Can Help With Your Family Law Matter

• Austin, Texas Dissolution of Marriage Lawyers: Stange Law Firm has dedicated lawyers to assist with your dissolution of marriage case in Travis County, Texas.

• Austin Parentage Attorneys: We assist with parentage matters in Travis County and surrounding areas.

• Austin Financial Arrangements and Care Lawyers: Our attorneys can help with financial arrangements and care involving children in Austin, Texas, and nearby communities.

• Austin, Texas Parenting Time Attorneys: Stange Law Firm has caring attorneys in Austin, Texas, ready to assist with parenting time matters throughout Travis County.

• Austin, Texas Modification Attorneys: Need help modifying an existing parenting time or financial arrangement? Our family law lawyers in Austin, Texas, are here to help.

• Austin, Texas Marital Agreement Lawyers: It is essential to ensure that these important documents are drafted accurately. Our Austin attorneys are here to assist.

Your Austin, Texas Family Law Attorneys

During such a challenging time, having a lawyer who truly understands your situation can provide clarity on your rights and options throughout the process. We represent clients in a variety of family law and domestic relations matters in Austin, Texas, from our office on North Lamar Boulevard.

What Is Family Law in Austin, Texas?

Family law addresses legal issues involving personal and family relationships. These cases often arise during emotionally challenging times and can involve complex legal and personal considerations. In Austin, Texas, family law encompasses a wide range of matters, including dissolution of marriage, conservatorship and parenting time involving children, financial arrangements and care, adoption, parentage, and fathers’ rights.

At Stange Law Firm, PC, our attorneys help individuals navigate these difficult situations with care, diligence, and an understanding of Texas family law and local court procedures.

Clients visit our Austin office from throughout Travis County. Our location along North Lamar Boulevard provides convenient access for individuals in Central and North Central Austin, including Rosedale, Bryker Woods, The Triangle, Hyde Park, and surrounding Austin neighborhoods.

Dissolution of Marriage in Austin, Texas

Dissolution of marriage is the legal process used to end a marriage. In Texas, marriage creates a legal relationship, and dissolving that relationship requires filing a petition with the appropriate court.

Texas is a no-fault dissolution state, meaning a spouse does not have to prove wrongdoing by the other party. It is sufficient to allege that the marriage has become insupportable due to conflict or discord. However, Texas law also recognizes fault-based grounds, such as cruelty, adultery, abandonment, felony conviction, separation, or institutionalization, which may impact issues such as property division or spousal support.

For individuals living in Austin and throughout Travis County, dissolution proceedings are handled through the applicable Texas courts serving the area. Our Austin attorneys assist clients from our North Lamar office with both straightforward and complex dissolution matters.

Dissolution as Civil Litigation in Austin

Dissolution cases involving Austin residents are handled through the courts serving Travis County and are a form of civil litigation. Like other civil matters, these cases may involve discovery, including depositions, interrogatories, and subpoenas. Many cases also include mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution, such as the collaborative process.

While some dissolutions resolve through negotiation, others—particularly those involving contested issues or significant assets—may proceed to trial. Effective representation requires familiarity with Texas court rules, procedures, and litigation strategy at every stage of the case.

Alimony and Spousal Support in Austin, Texas

Texas law distinguishes between “alimony” and “spousal maintenance.” Alimony generally refers to payments agreed upon by the parties, while spousal maintenance is court-ordered support governed by specific statutory requirements.

Spousal maintenance is not automatic and is available only when certain eligibility criteria are met. Courts consider factors such as the length of the marriage, each party’s earning ability, education, health, and efforts to become self-supporting when determining whether support should be awarded and in what amount.

Pre-Nuptial and Post-Nuptial Agreements in Austin

A prenuptial agreement is a contract entered into before marriage that outlines how certain financial matters will be handled during the marriage or in the event of dissolution. A postnuptial agreement serves the same purpose but is executed after the marriage has begun.

In Texas, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements may address issues such as property classification, asset division, and spousal support. However, matters involving parenting time and financial arrangements and care involving children cannot necessarily be determined in advance. These agreements must also satisfy applicable requirements to be enforceable.

Parenting Time and Conservatorship in Austin, Texas

In Texas, parental rights and responsibilities are addressed through “conservatorship.” Courts may appoint parents as joint managing conservators, meaning both parents share certain rights and responsibilities related to major decisions affecting a child, such as education and healthcare.

One parent may be given the right to determine the child’s primary residence, while the other parent may exercise possession and access according to an agreed-upon or court-ordered parenting schedule. Sole managing conservatorship may be awarded in certain circumstances.

For parents in Austin and throughout Travis County, these matters can involve parenting schedules, decision-making responsibilities, a child’s primary residence, relocation, and other issues affecting parents and children.

Parenting Arrangements in Austin

Joint managing conservatorship does not necessarily mean equal parenting time. The amount of time a child spends with each parent can depend upon the circumstances and the orders entered by the court.

Courts may also impose geographic restrictions, such as limiting the child’s residence to Travis County, Travis County and contiguous counties, a particular school district, or another geographic area depending upon the circumstances of the case.

Our North Lamar office serves parents throughout Austin and Travis County who are dealing with parenting time, conservatorship, possession and access, relocation, and related family law matters.

Financial Arrangements and Care in Austin, Texas

Both parents may have financial responsibilities for their children. Texas law provides guidelines and other requirements that courts consider when establishing financial arrangements and care involving children.

Net income may be determined after deducting certain items permitted under Texas law. Courts then consider applicable statutory guidelines, the number of children involved, and other relevant circumstances. Financial arrangements can also involve health insurance, medical expenses, and other responsibilities associated with caring for children.

In some circumstances, courts may also address past financial obligations.

Individuals throughout Austin and Travis County can seek guidance from our Austin attorneys concerning financial arrangements and care involving their children.

Abuse and Neglect Proceedings in Austin, Texas

Abuse and neglect proceedings involve allegations that a child has been harmed or is at risk of harm. Texas law defines abuse broadly and includes physical injury, emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, and the use of controlled substances that negatively affect a child’s well-being.

Texas law requires individuals with knowledge or suspicion of child abuse or neglect to report it to the appropriate authorities. These cases are highly sensitive and can involve courts and state agencies. Because parental rights may be at stake, abuse and neglect matters require careful legal advocacy and a thorough understanding of Texas law.