Family law is a complex area of law that can often be confusing for those who are not familiar with the terminology or the process. If you’ve been trying to determine where to file your family law case and have found that it’s more complicated than you thought, you’re not alone. Our family lawyer in Austin, TX, has years of experience helping clients navigate the family court system and resolve jurisdictional disputes. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
In 1997, the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), was enacted to take the place of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (UCCJA). It was created to correct inconsistencies between national and state laws which had resulted in problems with the enforcement of child custody arrangements.
The UCCJEA sets forth specific rules regarding when a court has jurisdiction over a child custody case and establishes procedures for enforcing child custody orders across state lines. The UCCJEA also includes provisions for dealing with international child custody situations.
Paid consultations are prioritized, and free consultations remain available based on scheduling availability.
Under the UCCJEA, a court has jurisdiction over a child custody case if:
It’s important to understand that there are certain emergency situations where a Texas court can assume temporary emergency jurisdiction over a child. These situations include the following and apply if the child is present in Texas:
The Texas Family Code defines abandonment as leaving a child without providing necessary care for the child under the circumstances. In this case, the court can assume emergency jurisdiction.
In some cases, children may need to be protected from threats of abuse or neglect from a parent or a sibling. If there is immediate danger to the child’s physical or emotional well-being, the court can assume temporary emergency jurisdiction over the child. This is done to protect the child from further harm and to allow time for an investigation to be conducted.
James W. Evans is a board-certified family law attorney and the founder of Evans Family Law Group. With over 25 years of experience, he has built a reputation as a trusted advocate for Texas families navigating divorce, custody, and complex family law matters.
Accolades & Distinctions
When you are looking for a family law attorney to represent you, it is important to choose the right one. Hire The Evans Family Law Group because:
We have been handling family law cases for more than a decade, so we have the experience necessary to provide you with the best possible representation.
We receive much of our work through referrals from happy clients. This is because our clients are satisfied with the results we achieve for them.
We understand that going through a family law case can be a difficult and stressful time for you and your family. That is why we offer compassionate and caring representation. We will do everything we can to make sure that you and your family are taken care of during this difficult time.
If you need assistance, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Client Reviews
2017-11-07 
We had a complicated situation with continuing Jurisdiction for visitation and parenting agreements in 2 states. Evans Family Law group helped us get the Parenting and Visitation agreement transferred and filed in Texas.
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Evans Family Law has been wonderful to work with. I am grateful that I found them and hired them for my legal needs!
He took the time to talk to me and answer questions. I would recommend Jimmy to anyone seeking help with their legal needs.
Thank you Evans Family Law!
I had a great experience with Evans Family Law Group! Their legal team took time to clearly answer my questions and make sure I knew what was going on with my case. They were super easy to work with and knew exactly how to handle all the various obstacles that popped up over the course of my divorce. I am very happy I worked with them and would absolutely recommend them to anyone else!
The Evans Family Law Group was patient with me, protected my interests, and kept me inline. They responded in a timely fashion and provided updates with each step along the divorce process. Their forethought in decree language saved me.
Evans Family Law Group was the first business that didn’t quote me an outrageous number while also telling me that I may need to pay more later. Jimmy gave me a flat rate that was significantly lower than the multiple other firms I called prior. He was also very quick with communication and even sent a description of every form he sent so I would understand the whole process better. Dina was also incredible as she as she was able to notarize the forms remotely and kept me updated through every step of the process. To my surprise, Jimmy and Dina were able to make this process so smooth and simple and I cannot be more grateful. Thank you both very much!
Great communication and very empathetic!
I had a great experience working with James Evans. He was extremely responsive, easy to work with, and able to meet my tight timeline without sacrificing quality. I appreciated his clear communication and attention to detail throughout the process.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Evans Family Law firm for working with me on my extended divorce process. Giving special attention to Ms. Caitlin McGregor. Always the consummate professional. I truly felt well represented with not only her knowledge of family law but she took time to be sure I felt heard. She always kept me well informed, which helped tremendously with the anxiety that came along with the seemingly endless divorce.
She showed real concern which kept me on a positive note in what has been a very dark time for me and proved to be a great negotiator on my behalf. Not to forget she was also working with an awesome team of paralegals and professionals. Thank you all for your hard work and persistence in this case.
I had a great experience working with Jimmy Evans on my divorce case. He provided excellent counsel and always focused on getting me the best results. He was accommodating and made sure I understood each step of the process. His paralegal, Dina, was also wonderful! She kept communication clear and timely, and I could always count on her for quick updates and answers.
I have had an excellent experience with the staff of Evans Family Law. They have all been very friendly and efficient with my case, and have always been honest and accountable in all situations. I would employ them again for any family law needs I may have. I’m very pleased with their work.
Jimmy has an encyclopedic knowledge of the law, extensive experience with a wide range of cases, and as a result is someone I could completely trust to know what he was doing. He was always willing to explain why certain issues that were under dispute were/were not likely to be upheld by a judge and gave me a very honest sense of what to expect before a judge, with respect to anything I asked him.
He took the time to talk to me and answer questions, and was an ethical advocate who was clearly seeking the best outcome for the children. Rarely do I post reviews, but I chose him based on ones I read by people equally unfamiliar and scared by family law, divorce, and custody as I was; and he was a gem in guiding us through a difficult time. I’m so grateful to have found him, and recommend him as one of the most ethical and professional people I’ve ever worked with.
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.
At Evans Family Law Group, we combine our in-depth knowledge, strategic approach, and commitment to you to achieve optimal results.
Paid consultations are prioritized, and free consultations remain available based on scheduling availability.
Effective in and out of the courtroom with 17 years in practice and over 100 jury trials to our credit.
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