When legal challenges affect your family, you need counsel with the skill to address the complexities of the law and the realities you are facing. For over twenty years, the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard has earned a reputation for providing high-quality legal representation to families in Hewitt and throughout Central Texas. Our legal advocacy is defined by a deep command of the law, strategic guidance, and an unwavering commitment to protecting your family’s rights and future.

The Texas Family Code Framework

The Texas Family Code governs family law, addressing all issues concerning marriage, divorce, child custody, and family relationships. Our Hewitt family lawyer team maintains comprehensive knowledge of these statutes and their practical applications in Texas courts. We recognize that each family situation presents unique circumstances requiring tailored legal strategies.

Family law cases frequently involve multiple interconnected issues. Our attorneys combine deep knowledge of Texas law with a steadfast commitment to safeguarding your interests. We carefully manage every detail of your case, guiding you through each step with clarity, confidence, and compassionate advocacy.

Divorce Proceedings in Texas

The divorce process demands a thorough understanding of Texas legal procedures and court requirements that can overwhelm those unfamiliar with the system. Our lawyers possess profound knowledge in managing every facet of divorce cases, whether they involve mutual agreements or disputed issues concerning significant property and assets. We strive to obtain outcomes that safeguard your rights and future while reducing unnecessary confrontation and stress throughout your proceedings.

Child Custody and Conservatorship

Child custody decisions shape the lives of both children and parents for years to come. Our Hewitt family attorneys provide compassionate guidance and strong advocacy to ensure parenting arrangements meet your children’s needs while protecting your rights and maintaining your role in their lives.

Best Interest Standards

Texas courts determine custody arrangements based on the best interest of the child standard established in the Family Code (Section 153.02). Conservatorship, as custody is called in Texas, involves both rights and duties regarding your children. Parents may share joint managing conservatorship, or one parent may serve as sole managing conservator, depending on circumstances, including:

• Child's physical and emotional needs.
• Parental ability to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing environment.
• Parental ability to meet the child's basic needs.
• Child preferences for children 12 years and older.

The safety and well-being of the child are significant determining factors. Judges consider any history of neglect, abuse, domestic violence, or substance abuse. Our lawyers understand the factors courts consider when making conservatorship determinations and present compelling cases for our clients.

Child Support Obligations

Child support guarantees that both parents share financial responsibility for their children, regardless of custody arrangements. In Texas, child support is determined according to guidelines that calculate obligations based on a percentage of the paying parent’s net income and the number of children entitled to support:

• One child: 20%.
• Two children: 25%.
• Three children: 30%. 
• Four children: 35%. 
• Five or more children: 40%. 

Courts may deviate from guidelines when circumstances warrant different amounts. Our Hewitt family attorneys ensure support obligations are calculated accurately and advocate for fair orders that prioritize your children’s needs. We also assist with enforcement and modification proceedings when circumstances change substantially.

Spousal Maintenance

Spousal maintenance provides financial support to help a spouse transition to self-sufficiency following divorce. At The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard, our Hewitt family lawyer team evaluates whether you qualify for maintenance or may face maintenance obligations, ensuring that any support arrangements reflect the statutory requirements and your specific circumstances.

Eligibility Requirements

In Texas, spousal maintenance is only available when specific eligibility requirements are met. The requesting spouse must show their inability to earn enough income to cover reasonable living expenses and satisfy additional conditions related to the length of the marriage or instances of family violence. 

Paternity and Fathers' Rights

Establishing paternity legally defines the relationship between a father and child, granting both rights and responsibilities. Whether you are seeking to assert your parental rights or confirm paternity for child support purposes, our Hewitt family lawyer team offers knowledgeable and dedicated representation every step of the way.

Establishing Legal Relationships

Establishing paternity creates legal relationships between fathers and children, conferring both rights and responsibilities. Whether you seek to establish your parental rights or need to confirm paternity for support purposes, our attorneys provide skilled representation throughout the process. We understand the importance of protecting parent-child relationships and work diligently to secure appropriate legal recognition of these bonds. 

Contact Our Hewitt Family Lawyer Team

Your family deserves experienced legal representation. If you need guidance through family law matters, our attorneys provide the high-quality legal representation you need. We offer personalized attention to each case and work diligently to achieve favorable outcomes for our clients. Contact The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard at 254-781-4222 or reach out online to speak with a trusted Hewitt family lawyer about your case.