Family Attorney in Galveston, TX
Facing a family law matter can be a challenging and emotionally wrought time for everyone involved, including small children. Whether you are facing a divorce and trying to determine how to split up assets at your home near Galveston Beach or are navigating the complexities of child custody matters in Anderson Ways, you don’t have to face the legal system alone. This is a difficult time for everyone, and a trusted Galveston family lawyer is here to protect your rights.
Trust Your Family Law Matter to The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates
At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, we are here to protect you and your loved ones during any family law matter. We believe in creating an atmosphere for our clients that encourages them and lets them know we are here no matter what. We understand that family law matters are some of the emotionally challenging, and we want to act both as your fierce legal advocate and also as a compassionate shoulder you can lean on during such a difficult time.
Most family law matters in Galveston are handled through the Galveston County Justice Center, at 600 59th Street. Our attorneys have handled hundreds of cases in this court system and are familiar with most key players. We can use this knowledge and experience to the benefit of you, your goals, and the best interests of your children.
Family law is intimate and personal. It often affects the most integral things that make us who we are. At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, we are led by a Galveston native who understands the plights of many of those in our community. Whatever your family law case involves, we are here to support you and back you up. We listen to your side of the story and bring a certain level of legal excellence to every case that comes across our desks.
Understanding Family Law in Galveston, Texas
Across the United States, family law cases represent5.7% of all cases heard in state-level courts. Family law cases are legal issues that apply to members of a family. These are often some of the most difficult and emotional legal matters, and it is essential to work with a family lawyer who has experience and whom you know you can trust. At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, we are here to offer compassionate guidance on the following family law issues:
- Divorce. Texas has one of the lower rates of divorce in the country, at 2.1 cases per every 1,000 residents. While this number is much lower than in other states in the union, divorce petitions are still filed every day throughout Galveston County. Ending a marriage is never something that the involved parties agree on lightly, and our attorneys are here to protect your rights and interests on various topics in your divorce.
- Child custody. As a parent, if you are getting divorced from your spouse or are separating from them, then you will need to reach an agreement regarding the custody of your children. You want what is in the best interests of your child, and you also want to maintain an active part of your child’s life. At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, we are here to advocate for and protect your parental rights.
- Child support. When minor children are involved in family law matters, child support may come up as a topic that will need to be resolved. At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, we are here to help you modify, establish, or enforce child support orders to help your children get the financial support they need. The state of Texas requires that both parents are responsible for the ongoing financial support of their children.
- Property division. When a couple seeks divorce in Galveston, they will need to reach agreements on how their marital property will be divided. Texas operates as a community property state, meaning that all assets, debts, and forms of property that were acquired by either party during the marriage are now subject to an even split, albeit not a perfect 50/50 division in most cases. We can help protect the property you’re entitled to.
- Spousal maintenance. In some divorce cases, the topic of spousal maintenance, or spousal support, can arise. Spousal maintenance is the term used for ongoing payments made from the higher-earning spouse to the lower-earning spouse for a set period of time during the divorce process, or once the divorce has been finalized, to help the lower-earning spouse maintain their standard of living.
- Protective orders. In Texas, domestic violence is a very prevalent issue. Protective orders can often arise in cases of family law, such as child custody or divorce situations. Our lawyers can protect your rights, whether you are seeking a protective order against an abusive party or are facing false allegations of domestic violence.
- Pre- and post-marital agreements. When you are looking forward to getting married, the last thing on your mind is divorce. However, it is important to protect your assets as it can save you stress should the unthinkable happen. At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, we are here to help you establish a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement in order to protect yourself and your financial health for years to come.
- Sexual allegations within divorce. When a spouse makes false allegations of sexual abuse in a divorce, child custody case, or other family law-related matter, you will likely feel betrayed. Oftentimes, these allegations are made with the malicious intent of manipulating the court system so that the accusing party can obtain more favorable results. Our attorneys are here to protect you from these allegations.
Whatever your family law matter involves in Galveston, The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates works as your legal advocate. We know this is an extremely difficult time, and we want to do everything in our power to obtain the results you hope for and protect your rights.
Family Law Mediation
When each party involved in a family law matter is able to set aside their differences and work together, mediation is an attractive alternative to the difficulties and emotional wreckage often involved in courtroom litigation. At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, we can represent you in family law mediation, working to protect your rights while you and your spouse or co-parent work together to find beneficial solutions.
Mediation typically costs less than litigation and can also offer quicker timelines, allowing you to move on with your life and seek a brighter future as soon as possible.
FAQs
Q: Will I Be Required to Go to Court for a Family Law Issue in Texas?
A: In Texas, not all cases of family law are required to go to court. In fact, many of these cases can, instead, be resolved through mediation or negotiation without having to go to a full courtroom trial. However, you may still be required to appear in court for a brief hearing so that the divorce orders can be finalized. Whether or not you go to court will affect the timeline of your case.
Q: How Long Can a Family Law Case Take?
A: The length of time a family law case can take will depend on various factors that may be involved in your situation. Longer cases typically arise when involved parties cannot reach agreements without court litigation, or when cases are exceptionally complex, such as cases involving highly valued assets or business ownership. Many family law cases can take several months to years to resolve.
Q: What Counts as the Best Interests of a Child in Texas?
A: In Texas, the best interests of a child will be a phrase used in most family law cases involving children. These cases usually include divorce, child custody, child support, or grandparents’ rights cases. When parents are unable to reach agreements on their own, the courts will make decisions regarding custody and visitation based on what they believe to be in the best interests of the child, such as the safety, health, and well-being of that child.
Q: What Is the Biggest Mistake to Make in a Custody Battle?
A: In a custody battle, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is engaging in behaviors of parental alienation. Parental alienation happens when one parent intentionally speaks poorly of the other parent, restricts visitation, or forces the children to pick sides. Other mistakes include seeking sympathy from your child, demonstrating behaviors of substance abuse, and not cooperating with the courts.
Hire a Family Lawyer Serving Galveston Residents Today
At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, our Galveston legal team is here to provide all family law clients with exceptional and solution-driven representation and support. When you hire a family lawyer from our team, you gain the confidence that comes with knowing you have the right legal advocates in your corner. Whether you are handling your case through mediation or litigation has become your only option, we are here to stand up for you.
When it comes to protecting yourself and what matters most, The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates is here to act as your legal champion. Contact our offices today for more information and to schedule your initial consultation.