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Family Law

Family law cases are some of the toughest legal issues out there because they often involve domestic issues between families and children.  It is crucial to understand family law as it applies to your case. A family law attorney can explain how the law applies to your case.  In some family law cases, like that of divorce, where tension is in the air, a family law attorney can help you understand how to properly deal with the situation so that it does not negatively affect your case.  Family law attorneys are also some of the most comprehensive attorneys, simply because the type of law they practice calls for an understanding individual who empathizes with clients, while at the same time is aggressive to fight for their clients’ needs.

Family Law Attorney in Cameron County, Texas

If you are starting a family law case, you want legal counsel by your side who listens to your expectations and communicates with you how and if your expectations are possible as it relates to your case.  At The Gracia Law Firm, P.C., we work with family law clients in Cameron, Willacy, and Hidalgo County.  Our Brownsville-based attorneys are knowledgeable about family cases and what it takes to move them forward.  

Lead attorney Jonathan Garcia is a man of the community, so when it comes to family cases, he comprehends the significance of each case.  His legal team understands that children’s lives are often at risk, and they need a clear solution.  He and his team of attorneys will do everything in their power to help your case if you become their client. Our team at The Gracia Law Firm, P.C. encourages you to contact our office for a free consultation simply submit a free case review at the bottom of our page.  Call us at 956-504-2211 to get started.

Overview of Family Law in Brownsville, Texas

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Types of Family Cases

The Gracia Law Firm, P.C. takes on multiple Family Law cases.  Every case is different from the other, because it involves experiences personal to those individuals.  The legal team at The Gracia Law Firm, P.C. will apply your case to a specific doctrine of family law.

The most common family law cases include, but are not limited to:

  • Divorce — The most common instance of a dissolution of a marriage contract is divorce. A divorce has to be legally petitioned by at least one person inside the marriage. Within the process of divorce, parties can contest property division and spousal support or alimony.
  • Annulment — A marriage is declared invalid if it meets qualifications under Texas family code laws. Some common reasons for an annulment include underaged marriage and alcohol or drug influence.
  • Spousal Support — Spousal support is an agreement between two parties filing for divorce proposing one party to pay an allowance to the other party post-divorce. Some qualifications need to be met to put the contract into place.
  • Pre-marital Agreements — Pre-nuptial agreements or pre-marital agreements are legal agreements between a bride-to-be and groom. They can involve the division of property within marriage and in case of a divorce or legal separation.
  • Child Support — Child support is an allowance for the care of the child or children while parents are separated or divorced. A family law attorney can help an individual pursue child support against the other parent.
  • Paternity — Paternity legal issues appear when the father of a child or children looks to claim his legal rights as a parent or father over his or her children.
  • Termination of Parental Rights — Termination of parental rights is the legal process by which the parent or legal guardian of a child or children has his or her rights as that legal guardian or parent taken away. In this case, a termination of parental rights can involve restrictions that parents can have over the interaction or authority they have over the child. A family law attorney can help to end someone’s else rights over the child to resume yours, or you may wish to terminate your rights over the child.
  • Adoption — The legal process of obtaining permanent custody of a child is known as adoption. The adoption process is a long one because it involves meeting specific requirements on behalf of the individual pursuing the adoption.
  • Child Custody — Child custody is the legal process of determining who is in the principal legal guardian of the child or children.
  • Domestic Violence — A domestic violence case involves certain violent or abusive behavior between two or more individuals living together inside a household. A family law attorney can help an individual affected by family violence or domestic violence to claim his or her legal rights.
  • Name Change — If you changed your last name when you got married and wish to change your name back to your maiden name, we can help you in that process during the divorce process.

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Family Law Statutes

The Family Code, in conjunction with the penal code of Texas, is the primary statute concerning family law. Whether it is divorce, or laws concerning children, the Texas Family Code has some sort of regulation or mandate over it. These are the laws that legal representatives are going to when building a case in the practice area of family law. Though laws concerning the function of family and children are less likely to change than criminal laws, their interpretation itself can be imprecise and flexible, which is why it is recommendable to seek a family law attorney to explain the laws. The significant subsections within the family code are those that concern marriage and dissolution of marriage, property division, child custody, the Juvenile Justice Code, protective orders and family violence, and other child services. Some relevant statutes concerning family law include the following:

  • Tex. Family Code § 2.002 explains the process for applying for a marriage license in the states of Texas.
  • Tex. Family Code § 6.402 covers the process for applying for a dissolution of marriage utilizing a divorce or an annulment.
  • Tex. Family Code § 7.002 establishes the arrangement of division of property, including real and personal estate, in cases of a dissolution of marriage. The section works in conjunction with Tex. Family Code chapter 3, where property is established through a union of marriage.
  • Tex. Family Code § 51.01 goes over the purpose of the juvenile court system. In this case, the juvenile court system can work together with the rest of the codes in family law cases such as child custody and child protective services.
  • Tex. Family Code § 71.004 explains the grounds for the definition of family violence. This code applies to cases of domestic violence or protective orders.
  • Tex. Family Code § 102.003 covers the description of people that can apply to have custody of a child when they’re not the principal guardian.
  • Tex. Family Code § 261.001 reviews the definition of child abuse and neglect. Chapter 261 of the Texas Family Code goes over the provisions for dealing with an investigation of a child’s alleged abuse or neglect.

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Cameron County Family Law Resources

Texas Juvenile Court Department – One of the biggest sub-sections of the family code of Texas is the section about the juvenile court system. The Texas Juvenile Court is important as it concerns all children’s legal issues, and because it’s an entirely separate process from that of a regular adult court. This webpage is the online face of the Texas Juvenile court. In it, you will find the objectives for the Texas juvenile court, and the explanation for how Texas differs in their juvenile process from other states.

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services – The motto of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services mostly stands for the safety and health of families and children inside Texas. Their webpage contains all kinds of resources involving family law aspects, including the newest programs and laws for the function of Texan children and families.

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The Gracia Law Firm | Brownsville Family Law Attorneys

If you are filing a case for divorce, child custody, or even domestic violence, don’t go at it alone. At The Gracia Law Firm, P.C. , we understand that these are serious matters of your life, and sometimes they can get emotional. You want someone by your side who comprehends the emotional impact this has on your life while that person is still able to represent you and fight for your best interests. Our legal team of attorneys is empathetic to your issues but also wants to keep you looking ahead. Family law cases like divorce, for example, is something that can tear your spirit, but we’re here to tell you seeking that settlement is the first step to moving forward.

Our attorneys at The Gracia Law Firm, P.C. can meet with you and communicate on what your expectations are inside your case. We will be honest with you and let you know how far our abilities go in terms of reaching your desired outcome. Our Brownsville-based attorneys work with clients residing in Cameron County, Willacy County, and Hidalgo County. Call to meet with one of them by dialing  956-504-2211 for free consultation over the phone, or you can fill out a case review at the bottom of the page.