Protecting What Matters Most
by James Evans - October 2nd, 2014
If your divorce or child custody case involves two financially and emotionally stable parents making orderly arrangements for the benefit of a well-adjusted child, then you may count yourself lucky, no matter how painful the situation inherently is for all concerned. That’s because there are all too many situations in Travis and Williamson County where those conditions simply do not apply. Many factors play into the domestic rifts that tear families apart, and some of them involve high degrees of conflict or extraordinarily difficult circumstances. These may include:
• Mental health issues
• Substance abuse issues
• Parental alienation
• Physical or emotional abuse
These circumstances lead to tremendously tense, complex court cases where the child’s safety may depend on who can take that child in and provide a nurturing, positive environment. In such cases, the court will often appoint a guardian. A guardian is a social worker or other licensed clinical professional with the specialized skills and experience necessary to represent the child’s best interests in the eyes of the court; at least until a final custody determination can be made. We can make this request to the judge on your behalf. If you have feared for your little ones’ well-being under the other parent’s roof, this step can bring immense peace of mind for both you and the child.
Once the guardian has been appointed, you and the other parent will each meet with this professional separately. You’ll bring a completed questionnaire to this meeting that explains your side of things in detail. You may also need to provide mental health documentation, CPS records and other helpful information. It is absolutely critical that the court and the appointed guardian see you take the situation seriously and cooperate 100 percent throughout this process.
To ensure a smooth collaborative effort and the best outcome for your child, we want to make sure that the choice of guardian is a good fit for your particular case, both personally and professionally. Unfortunately, finding such a guardian can prove challenging — especially in Williamson County, where there are relatively few experienced high-conflict experts to choose from. Our divorce attorney in Austin, TX, at Evans Family Law Group, can advise you as to which guardians best suit this description and then help you work with the court-appointed guardian in the most productive manner possible. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you through a high-conflict case.
Our Austin family law attorneys handle a wide range of matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support (alimony), property division, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, adoption, and modifications of court orders. Whether your case is straightforward or highly contested, our team provides personalized legal guidance to protect your rights and your family’s future.
The timeline for a divorce varies depending on the complexity of the case and whether it’s contested or uncontested. Texas law requires a 60-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be finalized, but contested cases involving disputes over property, custody, or support can take several months or even longer to resolve.
An uncontested divorce occurs when both spouses agree on all major issues, such as property division, custody, and support. These cases are generally faster and less expensive.
A contested divorce, on the other hand, involves disagreements that require negotiation, mediation, or a court decision. Our attorneys are experienced in both types of cases and can guide you through either process efficiently.
In Texas, the court’s primary concern is always the best interest of the child. Factors considered include each parent’s ability to provide for the child, the stability of each home environment, the child’s relationship with each parent, and, in some cases, the child’s preferences. Our Austin family lawyers work hard to protect your parental rights and achieve an arrangement that supports your child’s well-being.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Attorney James Evans, who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a family law attorney.
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Effective in and out of the courtroom with 17 years in practice and over 100 jury trials to our credit.