Texas Family Law

Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Adoption, Modifications and Enforcements of Existing Orders, Child Protective Services (CPS)

Often times the only contact anyone ever has with the court systems is in a divorce or child custody dispute. First, comes the stress of the end of a marriage and the impact it may have on your children. Then you are faced with the uncertainty of the legal process of a divorce or child custody battle. You will hear your freinds and family throw around terms like primary custody, community property and visitation orders. But what does all this mean and who will decide?

The laws governing Divorce are complex and imperfect. Nevertheless, those laws and a Judge will have a great impact upon you long after the courts have ruled on your case. It is my belief that 80% of what a divorce lawyer is for is knowing what a Judge will do in a given set of circumstances. Judges work hard to be consistent in their rulings. And while your case is unique, the issues you present to the court are likely facts and circumstances the court has heard countless times before. Experience is critical.

I have over a decade of experience in the Family Courts of El Paso. But what is important is that you receive a just and right division of your marital property and that your separate property is preserved and protected. Addtionally, and often more important to you are protecting your rights as a parent and that your child's best interest is always comes first.

Consultation fees do apply to Family Law Cases (Military personnel and their spouses receive a 50% discount on all Family Law Consultations). Please call or e-mail to inquire as to the cost of a consultation. You will meet with me personally, not a legal assistant or paralegal.

Military Divorce

Add onto the stress of a divorce the challenge of ending a military marriage. Its likely that you are only in Texas because of your spouse's service obligation and you are far from family support systems or even just someone to talk to. Because of my prior Active Duty experiece (to include deployments to Eurpoe and the Middle East) I understand the unique challenges and pressure facing the military family and the impact divorce will have not only on the division of property but also the children of an military marriage.

As a former Active Duty Soldier with a family, I understand what you are going through. My philosophy is to arm you with information so that you are in charge of your case and able to make rational and practical decisions. It is my belief that in most family law cases the lawyer's job is simply knowing what your Judge is likely to do given a certain set of facts and circumstances, military cases are no different in that way. Armed with that knowledge you can make a real and practical decision on whether to settle or fight.

The Law Office of Leonard Morales offers representation in all areas of Texas Family Law:

Divorce, including the division of complex assets and liabilities. These may include the division of the Marital Home, Automobiles, Retirement Plans, Investments, Time Shares, Savings Accounts, Debts and other property accumulated during the marriage.

Military Retirement - Legal Services also include the proper division of Military Retirement which is unlike the division of any private or civilian pension, 401K or retirement plan. I often provide my services to other lawyers in the proper calculation of military retirement and the proper documentation to ensure its enforcement and recognition by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)

Child Custody, also called the Suit Affecting the Parent Child Relationship (SAPCR).

Child Support, including cases against the Texas Attorney General.

Modification of Prior Court Orders, including visitation and access, child support review and modification, health insurance for the children.

Enforcement of Prior Orders, including transfer and recognition of other than Texas orders.

Child Protective Services Cases

If the State of Texas through the Department of Child Protective Services have intervened and come into your home to investigate allegations of child neglect or abuse you need the assistance of a lawyer who is experienced in this area. The Department of Child Protective Services has broad powers to impact your life in many ways. From taking your children from you, dictating where you live, imposing a child support obligation on you or transferring your case to the District Attorney for a criminal indictment. It is important that you understand your rights and are able to defend them.

Leonard is a member of the El Paso County CPS attorney wheel and regularly takes cases in this particular area of the law.

Demand Competence and Experience.

View our firm's profile at FindaFamilyAttorney.com.