Family Law

At The Law Offices of James H. Horton, PC, we help families throughout North Texas who are dealing with a difficult and stressful divorce or other family law dispute.  By providing compassionate legal representation, we can help you resolve the matter as amicably and swiftly as possible so that you can move forward with your life.   

Divorce

The Texas Family Code allows a suit for dissolution in any situation where the marriage has become "insupportable" and there is no reasonable expectation that the spouses will reconcile.  To file for divorce in Texas, you do not need to prove that the other party was at fault.  The length of the time of the divorce depends heavily on whether you and your spouse can agree on all of the issues, such as custody and division of property. 

Child Custody and Support

Our goal is to help you and your spouse reach an amicable custody agreement that gives both of you ample time with your children.  In the event you and your spouse fail to come to an agreement, we will vigorously represent your right to spend time with your children.  To learn more about these issues, please visit our family law frequently asked questions page, where we discuss custody and child support matters in further detail.

Property Division

Texas is a community property state, meaning that you and your spouse will divide all property acquired during the marriage, with the exception of property acquired by a spouse by gift or devise, which is considered separate property.  This may seem simple, but spouses often disagree as to which property is separate and which is community property.  We can go over these distinctions together and discuss your options.  Ideally, our attorneys can help you reach an amicable agreement about the division of property and the court will not have to get involved. 

Spousal Maintenance

Texas law regarding spousal maintenance is somewhat complex, and courts can grant maintenance under certain conditions.  Generally, temporary maintenance is granted for the duration of the trial until the divorce decree.  Additional maintenance can be ordered depending on the length of the marriage and whether family violence was an issue.  The amount of maintenance varies, and the courts consider many factors when determining it.

Post-Divorce Modifications

Often, after the divorce is final, the circumstances of one or both parents can change, making modifications to the custody and child support agreements necessary.  This can include situations where one parent wants to move away from the other, or where a parent's financial situation changed significantly.  Whether you are the one requesting a modification or would like to challenge a modification proposed by your ex-spouse, we will defend your interests.   

Additional Family Law Matters

In addition to the matters discussed above, we can help you with any other aspect of your family law case, including name changes, adoptions, and application and violation of protective orders.  Regardless of your family law matter, we will help you resolve the case as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.  To discuss your situation with an experienced family law attorney, contact The Law Offices of James H.  Horton, PC today.