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Austin is a great place to settle down and raise a family, but even living in a great city cannot prevent all family-related legal problems. Family law touches many people in the Austin area, whether through divorce, child conservatorship (custody) decisions, or planning for future security. These are more than just legal issues. They are deeply personal experiences that affect your daily life and well-being.
Understanding these needs is essential for anyone facing family law issues. Sanchez & Farrar PLLC can help you navigate these challenges.
Contact us at our offices today to schedule a free consultation to begin resolving family matters. Our representation is throughout Texas, including New Braunfels, Austin, San Antonio, Travis County, Harris County, Bexar County, and select other areas of the state with offices in New Braunfels (830-251-5255) and Austin (512-379-6985).
Our trusted legal team in Austin believes that personal legal matters deserve personalized attention. We not only address current legal concerns, but also help protect your future with tailored solutions. At Sanchez & Farrar PLLC, we know that no two family law matters are the same, and we approach each case with a dedication to improving your life, often during challenging times.
When you hire our firm, you will have an experienced and confident guide through the family law process, which may include:
We don’t just represent you — we guide you. Every step is handled with the clarity and care your family deserves.
Getting through divorce proceedings requires experienced legal guidance to protect your rights and future. Our Austin divorce attorneys provide compassionate yet strategic representation throughout the entire process, from initial filing through the final decree.
We handle all aspects of divorce litigation, including property division, debt allocation, and temporary orders. Whether pursuing an uncontested divorce or facing complex, disputed issues, we work diligently to achieve fair resolutions while minimizing conflict and protecting your interests for the future.
Your children’s well-being is our top priority when handling custody matters. We advocate for conservatorship and possession arrangements that serve your children’s best interests while protecting your parental rights. Our team handles all custody-related issues, including initial custody determinations, relocation cases, and enforcement of existing orders. Whether through negotiation or courtroom advocacy, we strive to establish stable, nurturing environments that allow children to thrive while maintaining meaningful relationships with both parents.
Ensuring adequate financial support for your children requires proper legal calculations and enforcement mechanisms. Our Austin child support attorneys handle all aspects of child support, from initial establishment through modification and collection proceedings.
We understand the Texas child support guidelines and work to ensure accurate income calculations, appropriate support amounts, and proper handling of extraordinary expenses, such as medical care and extracurricular activities. We assist with both establishing new support orders and modifying existing arrangements when circumstances change significantly.
Life circumstances change, and your family law orders should reflect your current reality. Sanchez & Farrar PLLC helps clients modify existing court orders when substantial changes in circumstances warrant legal adjustments. We handle modifications to child custody arrangements, visitation schedules, child support obligations, and spousal maintenance orders. Whether dealing with job loss, relocation, remarriage, or changes in children’s needs, we provide experienced guidance through the modification process. We strive to achieve updated orders that better serve your family’s evolving needs while ensuring compliance with Texas family law requirements.
Alternative dispute resolution can provide cost-effective, collaborative solutions for family law matters. Our experienced mediators facilitate productive discussions between parties, helping identify common ground and creative solutions that work for everyone involved. Mediation is particularly beneficial for ongoing co-parenting relationships, as it promotes communication and cooperation rather than adversarial litigation.
We guide clients through the mediation process, ensuring their interests are protected while working toward mutually acceptable agreements. This approach often results in faster resolutions, reduced costs, and agreements that both parties are more likely to follow voluntarily.
Spousal maintenance
, formerly known as alimony, provides crucial financial support during life transitions following divorce. Our lawyers represent clients seeking spousal maintenance and those defending against unreasonable support requests. We understand Texas law regarding eligibility requirements, duration limitations, and appropriate support amounts based on factors including marriage length, earning capacity, and financial resources. We handle both temporary support during divorce proceedings and long-term spousal maintenance orders.
In addition to the above, our team at Sanchez & Farrar PLLC can tackle the following family law matters:
When you have a family law matter arise in Austin, many laws and procedures might apply. First, these cases are held in the Family Division of the Travis County District Court. There are particular court rules and processes you must follow, so always have a legal representative who has overseen cases in this court before. Further, if you need to modify past orders, you must request the court that issued the order.
The good news is that many cases can be resolved out of court with the right legal help. Our Austin family law attorneys are skilled negotiators who regularly reach favorable outcomes through negotiation or mediation. However, if a case requires going to family court, we are more than prepared to present your side of the story to the judge.
While Texas law doesn’t require you to hire an attorney for family court proceedings, legal representation is highly recommended for most cases. Family law involves complex statutes, procedural rules, and case law that can significantly impact your rights and future. Any mistakes can have lasting effects on your life, so it is always worth having a family lawyer protecting you.
For contested cases involving child custody, property division, or spousal support, professional legal guidance is especially crucial. Family court judges expect parties to follow proper procedures, meet filing deadlines, and present evidence according to legal standards.
Mistakes in paperwork or procedure can result in unfavorable outcomes or case dismissal. An experienced family law attorney understands Texas statutes, local court rules, and can effectively advocate for your position while protecting your parental and financial rights.
Texas is not automatically a 50/50 divorce state, though it follows community property principles. Under Texas law, all property acquired during marriage (except certain gifts and inheritances) is considered community property belonging to both spouses. However, this doesn’t guarantee an exactly equal division in every case.
The Texas Family Code allows courts to divide community property in a “just and right” manner, considering factors such as fault in the divorce, disparity in earning capacity, benefits to children, education levels, physical and emotional health, and contribution to the marriage. While courts often start with the presumption of equal division, they have discretion to award a disproportionate share when circumstances warrant it.
Separate property owned before marriage or received as gifts/inheritances typically remains with the original owner. The key is properly characterizing and valuing all marital assets and debts, which requires thorough documentation and often expert testimony for complex estates.
The cost of a family lawyer in Austin varies significantly based on case complexity, attorney experience, and fee structure. Most family law attorneys charge hourly rates, but some attorneys offer flat fees for uncontested divorces.
Additional costs include court filing fees (approximately $300-$400 for divorce), service of process fees, expert witness fees for property valuation or child custody evaluations, and potential mediation costs.
Many attorneys require retainers upfront, with fees deducted as they perform work. Some firms offer payment plans or limited scope representation for specific services. During initial consultations, always discuss fee structures, estimated costs, and payment options to make informed decisions about legal representation within your budget.
Divorce timelines in Austin depend on several factors, but Texas law requires a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date of filing before any divorce can be finalized. This cooling-off period cannot be waived, even in uncontested cases where both parties agree on all terms.
Uncontested divorces with no children or significant assets can often be completed within a few months after filing, primarily due to the waiting period and court scheduling. However, most divorces involving children, substantial property, or disagreements take considerably longer. The right family law attorney can keep your case on the right track to achieve the most efficient and effective resolutions.
If you’re ready to explore your options, Sanchez & Farrar PLLC can help you with your family law matters. We can offer you the clarity you need to understand your options and potential outcomes. We understand the importance of family and strive to keep you and your family’s interests protected.
The attorneys and staff at Sanchez & Farrar PLLC are bilingual in English and Spanish and are proud to assist clients in either language. If Spanish is your preferred language, we are here to make the legal process easier to understand and navigate. Contact us today for a free consultation at (512) 379-6985.
To learn more about the services offered by Sanchez & Farrar, PLLC, call our firm or send us an email. We have offices in New Braunfels and Austin.
