Family Law Representation in Westchase and West Houston

Family law questions often arise alongside the everyday demands of work, school, and caring for children. Our Wilcrest Drive office provides a local meeting place for people living or working in Westchase and nearby West Houston neighborhoods.

For parents in Briar Forest, Walnut Bend, and the Memorial area, a parenting time dispute may involve practical questions about school transportation, exchanges between households, medical appointments, and extracurricular activities. A financial support matter may require reviewing income, insurance costs, and a child’s needs. A marital dissolution may involve the family home, retirement savings, or business ownership.

Our Houston family lawyers help clients connect these practical concerns with the legal issues in their case. We can review an existing order, discuss a proposed arrangement, or help you understand what relief may be available through the courts.

We also represent clients from other Houston communities. The appropriate court depends on the type of case, applicable jurisdiction and venue requirements, and any existing proceedings.

Family Law Matters Our Houston Attorneys Handle

Family law extends beyond ending a marriage. It also addresses parental relationships, financial responsibilities, and the enforcement or modification of court orders.

Our Houston team assists with:

• Dissolution of marriage and division of marital property.

• Parenting time, conservatorship, and parental decision-making.

• Possession, access, and parenting schedules.

• Financial support and medical support.

• Paternity and matters involving unmarried parents.

• Changes to existing parenting or financial support orders.

• Enforcement of family court orders.

• Spousal maintenance and contractual alimony.

• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.

• Temporary orders and protective-order issues.

• Adoption and stepparent adoption.

The legal process and available remedies differ by matter. During a consultation, an attorney can discuss your objectives, review relevant documents, and explain the next steps appropriate to your situation.

Dissolution of Marriage and Property Division

Ending a marriage requires resolving the legal and financial issues between spouses. When children are involved, the marital dissolution must also address conservatorship, parenting time, and financial support.

Some couples can reach an agreement through negotiation or mediation. Others need the court to decide disputed questions. Even when spouses agree on the broad terms, the details of the final documents matter.

Financial concerns may involve real estate, retirement accounts, investments, business interests, and debts. Our attorneys help clients identify the information needed to evaluate these issues and consider proposed settlement terms.

For more information, visit our Houston dissolution of marriage attorneys page.

Parenting Time, Conservatorship, and Parental Rights

Parents often want to know how they can remain involved in their child’s life and what decisions they will be entitled to make.

Texas uses the term conservatorship for parental rights and responsibilities. Possession and access refer to the schedule and conditions under which a child spends time with each parent.

A parenting order may address:

• Educational and medical decision-making.

• The right to determine the child’s primary residence.

• Geographic restrictions on the child’s residence.

• School-year, holiday, and summer schedules.

• Transportation and exchange arrangements.

• Communication with the child.

• Access to school and medical information.

Joint managing conservatorship does not automatically establish equal parenting time. The actual rights and schedule depend on the order and the circumstances of the case.

Our Houston parenting time attorneys help parents evaluate proposed arrangements, address disagreements, and prepare evidence relevant to the child’s best interests.

Learn more about our Houston parenting time representation.

Financial Support and Medical Support

A financial support case may involve establishing an initial obligation, reviewing whether an existing amount should change, or addressing unpaid support.

Accurate financial information is important. Depending on the circumstances, relevant records may include pay statements, tax returns, bonus information, self-employment records, and insurance costs.

Texas law provides guidelines for calculating financial support for children, but the applicable calculation can depend on several factors. Medical and dental support may also need to be addressed.

Our attorneys assist parents seeking financial support and parents responding to a support request. We can help you understand the information needed and review the terms of a proposed order.

Visit our Houston financial support attorneys page for additional information.

Paternity and Family Law for Unmarried Parents

Unmarried parents may need legal assistance establishing parentage and obtaining clear orders concerning their child.

A paternity matter can involve questions about genetic testing, an acknowledgment of paternity, or an existing legal presumption. Establishing parentage and obtaining a parenting order are related issues, but they are not always the same step.

Depending on the circumstances, the court may need to address conservatorship, possession and access, financial support, and medical support.

Our Houston family lawyers represent mothers and fathers in these matters and help clients work toward legally defined rights and responsibilities.

Learn more about our Houston paternity lawyers.

Modifying an Existing Family Court Order

An order that worked when it was entered may become difficult to follow as a child grows or a family’s circumstances change.

Parents may seek advice after a change in employment, income, residence, school needs, or caregiving arrangements. However, a change in circumstances does not automatically mean the court will modify an order. The applicable legal requirements depend on the relief requested.

Our attorneys can review your current order, discuss what has changed, and evaluate whether a modification request is appropriate. We also represent clients opposing a requested modification.

Until an order is changed through the proper process, its existing requirements generally remain in effect.

Enforcing Parenting Time and Financial Support Orders

A court order provides important protections only when its terms are followed. Disputes may arise over missed parenting time, unpaid financial support, or failure to comply with other obligations.

Before seeking enforcement, it is important to review the exact language of the order and document the alleged violations. Messages, payment records, and a clear chronology may help an attorney evaluate the available options.

Our Houston family law attorneys can assist clients seeking enforcement and those responding to enforcement allegations. The appropriate remedy depends on the order, the alleged conduct, and the applicable legal requirements.

Spousal Maintenance and Marital Agreements

Financial planning can be important both during a marriage and when a marriage ends.

Texas distinguishes court-ordered spousal maintenance from contractual alimony agreed upon by spouses. Whether maintenance is available requires an analysis of statutory eligibility and the evidence.

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements may address property rights and certain financial obligations. Their wording and enforceability can become important in a later dispute.

If you have an existing marital agreement, bring it to your consultation. Our attorneys can review the document and discuss its potential effect on your family law matter.

Adoption and Stepparent Adoption

Adoption creates a legal parent-child relationship and carries lasting rights and responsibilities.

A stepparent adoption may raise questions about the other parent’s legal rights, consent, and the steps required before an adoption can be completed. Other adoption matters may involve different procedures and documentation.

Our firm assists clients with adoption matters and can discuss whether our Houston team can help with your particular circumstances.

Temporary Orders and Safety Concerns

Some issues need attention before a family law case reaches a final resolution. Temporary orders may establish arrangements concerning children, financial support, use of property, or other responsibilities while a case is pending.

When family violence or other safety concerns are involved, an attorney can discuss whether a protective order or other relief may be appropriate.

Tell your attorney promptly about existing protective orders, pending hearings, and any immediate concerns involving you or your children. These issues can affect how the case should proceed.

Negotiation, Mediation, and Family Court Litigation

The appropriate approach depends on the dispute and the people involved.

Negotiation and mediation may allow parties to develop an agreement addressing their particular needs. An attorney can help you prepare, assess proposals, and understand the legal consequences of the terms under discussion.

When issues remain contested, court proceedings may be necessary. Preparation can include gathering documents, responding to discovery, identifying witnesses, and organizing evidence.

Our Houston family lawyers assist clients throughout these stages, from evaluating an initial concern to addressing disputed issues in court.

Learn more about mediation and collaborative approaches to marital dissolution.

Harris County Family Court Information and Resources

Knowing where to find court information can make the process easier to navigate. These resources provide information about local courts, filings, and government services:

• Harris County District Clerk—Family Information: Family filing information and related clerk services.

• Harris County District Courts: Court information, including resources for family district courts.

• Harris County Government: County departments and public resources.

• Harris County Clerk: Information about records and services handled by the County Clerk, whose responsibilities differ from those of the District Clerk.

• City of Houston: City services and community information.

• Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas: Information about advocacy centers serving children affected by abuse.

View the Harris County Civil Courthouse location on Google Maps.

Your hearing may be scheduled at a different location or conducted remotely. Confirm the court, address, and appearance instructions listed in your hearing notice.

Common Questions for Our Houston Family Lawyers

Can I Speak With a Family Lawyer Before a Case Is Filed?

Yes. A consultation can help you understand your options before filing or responding to a case. You can discuss your concerns, existing agreements, and the documents that may be needed.

Do You Represent Both Men and Women?

Yes. Stange Law Firm represents men and women in marital dissolution, parenting time, financial support, and other family law matters.

Can You Review an Order Entered Years Ago?

Yes. Bring the complete order and any later modifications. An attorney can review its terms and discuss enforcement, modification, or other questions arising from it.

What If My Child or the Other Parent Lives Outside Texas?

Cases involving another state may raise jurisdiction and enforcement questions. Tell your attorney where the child and parents have lived, where previous proceedings occurred, and whether another state has entered an order.

What Should I Bring to My Consultation?

Bring court papers, existing orders, relevant agreements, and a list of your principal concerns. Financial records may be helpful for financial support or marital dissolution matters. For parenting time disputes, bring information about the current schedule and relevant communications.

If you have an approaching deadline or hearing, tell the firm when scheduling.

Does Your Houston Office Serve Westchase and Nearby Neighborhoods?

Yes. Our office on Wilcrest Drive serves Westchase and surrounding West Houston communities, including Briar Forest, Walnut Bend, and the Memorial area, as well as clients elsewhere in Houston and Harris County.

Our Houston Family Law Office

Stange Law Firm, PC — Houston, Texas Office
3200 Wilcrest Drive, Suite 110
Houston, Texas 77042
Phone: 346-466-4901

Get directions to our Houston office.

Contact our team to schedule a consultation and obtain current arrival instructions.