The family law matters that shape a family's next chapter.

An acknowledgment of paternity is a voluntary form signed by both parents that establishes legal parentage without a court hearing. It is typically signed at the hospital or later through the Texas vital records process. It can be rescinded or challenged within limited time frames.

A court can order genetic testing to determine parentage. Once paternity is established, the court can address conservatorship, possession, and support. The process may be contested, so evidence and procedural deadlines matter.

Yes. Parentage can be established for a child at any age, though the legal consequences and the child's needs may differ. The court will consider the child's best interest, the existing relationship, and any prior agreements or orders.

An ex parte order is a temporary order issued without the other party present when there is an immediate danger. It can last up to 20 days and is followed by a hearing where both parties can present evidence. The temporary order is not the final decision.

A final protective order can last up to two years, and it can be extended in some circumstances. The order may include provisions for residence, employment, communication, and possession of the children. Violating a protective order is a criminal offense.

Yes. A protective order can include temporary conservatorship, possession, and support provisions. Those provisions may later be addressed in a separate family law case. Safety concerns should be documented and presented clearly to the court.

Termination ends a parent's legal rights and responsibilities. Adoption creates a new legal parent-child relationship. A stepparent adoption usually requires the termination of the other biological parent's rights or a voluntary relinquishment, followed by the adoption.

A parent can voluntarily relinquish parental rights in limited circumstances, and the court must find that termination is in the child's best interest. Voluntary termination is a serious decision with permanent consequences and should not be made without legal advice.

The timeline varies widely. A stepparent adoption may take a few months; a contested or agency adoption can take much longer. Background checks, home studies, notice, and court scheduling all affect the timeline.

Texas generally enforces premarital agreements that meet statutory requirements, including voluntariness and disclosure. A court may set aside an agreement if it is unconscionable or was signed without a fair opportunity to review it. Independent counsel is strongly recommended for both parties.

Yes. A post-marital agreement can partition community property into separate property or define how assets and debts will be handled. It requires the same attention to voluntariness and disclosure as a premarital agreement, and it should be reviewed by counsel.

Each party should have independent counsel to avoid a conflict of interest and to ensure the agreement is informed. A court is more likely to scrutinize an agreement where one party was not represented. The cost of review is small compared with the risk of a later dispute.

Yes. A divorce decree can restore a spouse's former name without a separate name-change case. The request should be included in the pleadings and the final decree. Other identity documents still need to be updated separately.

The court generally considers the child's best interest, the parents' wishes, and the child's preference if old enough. Notice to the other parent is usually required. A contested name change may require a hearing and evidence.

No. A name change does not change legal parentage, custody, or support obligations. It is a separate legal matter. Existing orders remain in effect unless they are modified through the proper process.