Family Law Attorney in San Antonio, TX

When a child is born and the father’s name is not listed on the birth certificate, a paternity case is filed. An acknowledgment of paternity is usually signed if the child’s father agrees that he is the father. In cases where paternity is in doubt or the alleged father is unsure, the alleged father has the right to request a paternity test from the mother. When paternity is established, a custody order governing visitation and child support is automatically issued. When child custody or support has not yet been determined, a suit affecting the parent-child relationship, or SAPCR, may be required. One party will petition the court to rule on these issues.

In layman’s terms, “child custody” refers to a child’s conservatorship. Parental responsibility is divided into two categories: joint managing conservators or sole managing conservators, and possessory conservators. The “primary conservator” is the parent who is given the sole authority to decide where the child will live. Conservatorship or custody also includes decisions about health and education. Child visitation, also known as parenting time, governs how parents alternate spending time with their children throughout the year and during special holidays such as Christmas and spring break.

A modification, also known as a petition to modify, is simply a request to the court to change something in a previous court order. This could be a request to modify a divorce decree, SAPCR, child support order, or other legal documents. Modifications are typically made when something from the previous order does not work in the current situation. Life happens, and people’s circumstances frequently change dramatically.

When a parent wants to move out of state or to a different city within the state but is unable to do so due to a geographical restriction in the prior order, they may request a modification. Another reason for requesting a modification is that the parent paying child support earns significantly more than they did when the previous order was issued, or that the parent paying child support earns less because they were laid off from a corporate job and are now working for much less. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the request, contact an experienced family law attorney to begin the process.

Don’t go it alone if you are entitled to child support or trying to get a fair shot at paying child support. While child support is mandatory in Texas, many factors can influence the appropriate amount. If you have a case with the Attorney General’s Office, you must understand that the office does not represent you, even if you are the custodial parent. Furthermore, if you are defending against a child support case, you will need the assistance of a family law attorney to ensure that proper credit is given for items such as health insurance.

No matter what your child support situation is, The Law Firm of Joseph Lassen is here to help.

When a court order is issued, it must be followed. When one party fails to comply with the order, the opposing party has the option of filing an enforcement action against them. This could be for anything from failing to pay child support or spousal maintenance to refuse to make the children visit the other parent’s home during their possession period. If your spouse is refusing to cooperate with previously ordered issues by a judge, you will need the assistance of an experienced family law attorney to navigate the system and force them to comply with the order. If you find yourself in the position of defending an enforcement action, you must act quickly to avoid serious penalties.

Grandparents are increasingly intervening in family law cases for the benefit of their grandchildren. When one parent dies or becomes incapacitated, or when both parents are unable or unwilling to care for their children for whatever reason, grandparents across the country step up to fill the void. Grandparents, on the other hand, do not have many rights and require the assistance of an experienced family law attorney to assist deserving grandmothers and grandfathers in finding legal avenues to nurture their grandchildren as they want and need to do. If this is the case for you, know that you are not alone. If you are looking for a dedicated child support “family attorney near me” in San Antonio, we can be there for you and what you believe in from start to finish.

A protective order is sought against a person accused of committing physical violence against the applicant. When a person seeks a protective order, they are asking the court to issue orders prohibiting the alleged offender from coming near them and, in some cases, any children the applicant is the parent of. If the alleged perpetrator is still living with the applicant, a protective order can be used to compel the alleged offender to leave the home. Whether you have been a victim of domestic violence or have been falsely accused, The Law Firm of Joseph Lassen is here to help.

A guardian is someone who is appointed to make legal and medical decisions for someone else, usually a child or someone who is disabled or otherwise incapacitated. A disabled adult child may require round-the-clock care and attention. Another good example is when both parents die and a child is left in the care of a relative. Whatever the situation, The Law Firm of Joseph Lassen is here to assist.

When Child Protective Services, or CPS, gets involved in your family life, you need immediate legal representation. Besides the risk of your children being removed, there may also be a criminal investigation. If you have been contacted by CPS or your child or children have been confronted at school by a CPS caseworker, you should contact a family law attorney as soon as possible. CPS will normally want you to sign a family safety plan. At the Law Office of Joseph Lassen, our family lawyer in San Antonio can help protect you from potential criminal charges that could come with the creation of such a plan.

Adoptions are almost always joyful family events, but they may necessitate background checks, a home study, and other procedures. You may be a stepparent attempting to adopt a child and require assistance in obtaining the biological parents’ approval. Let The Law Firm of Joseph Lassen help you navigate the multistep process of stepparent adoption or another type of private adoption with ease.

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements typically address issues such as property division, spousal support, and confirmation of separate property during a marriage and in the event of divorce. These types of agreements can clarify ownership intentions and potentially save thousands of dollars in the event of future marital problems.