Family Law Attorney in McKinney, TX
McKinney Family Law Attorney
Family matters rarely wait for a convenient time. Whether you are facing a divorce, a custody dispute affecting your children, a support order that needs to change, or an urgent protective order, we represent individuals and families across McKinney and Collin County in the full range of family law matters. We handle sensitive cases with clear guidance and direct attorney communication at every stage. Your first conversation with us is free.
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How Texas Family Law Works
Texas is a community property state, meaning marital assets and debts are generally split equitably in a divorce. Texas courts use the best interest of the child in every conservatorship and possession decision. Texas calls legal custody conservatorship and visitation possession and access. Child support follows a statutory percentage formula. Spousal support is called maintenance in Texas and is available only in specific circumstances. Understanding these rules before any decisions are made is the first thing we do in every case.
Practice Areas
Texas Family Law Matters We Handle
Divorce and Separation
Divorce in Texas can be granted on a no-fault basis, citing insupportability, or on fault grounds such as adultery or cruelty, which can affect how a court divides marital property. Texas requires a minimum 60-day waiting period after the petition is filed. The divorce proceeding addresses property division, and where children are involved, it also establishes conservatorship, possession and access schedules, and child support. Each divorce case involves its own combination of issues depending on the assets involved, whether the parties agree, and the needs of any children.
- ›Divorce
- ›Uncontested Divorce
- ›Contested Divorce
- ›High-Asset Divorce
- ›Divorce With Children
- ›Military Divorce
- ›Annulment
Property and Financial Matters
Texas is a community property state under the Texas Family Code. Property acquired during the marriage is generally presumed to be community property, and both assets and debts are subject to a just and right division by the court. Separate property, which includes what was owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance, is not divided. Correctly characterizing each asset matters enormously in a high-asset or business owner divorce. Spousal maintenance in Texas is court-ordered financial support after a divorce, available in specific circumstances defined by the Family Code, and it differs from the informal support arrangements some parties reach on their own.
- ›Property Division
- ›High-Net-Worth Property Division
- ›Spousal Maintenance
- ›Business Owner Divorce
- ›Hidden Assets in Divorce
Child Custody and Parenting
Texas uses the term conservatorship for what most people call custody, and possession and access for what is commonly called visitation. Courts decide managing conservatorship, the right to make major decisions for the child, and possessory conservatorship, where the child lives and when. Texas law presumes that joint managing conservatorship serves the best interest of the child in most cases, meaning both parents typically retain decision-making rights even when the child primarily resides with one. Existing orders can be modified when circumstances change materially, enforced when a parent is not complying, or overridden by an emergency order when the child's safety requires immediate court action.
- ›Child Custody
- ›Child Visitation
- ›Child Custody Modifications
- ›Visitation Modifications
- ›Parental Relocation
- ›Custody Enforcement
- ›Emergency Child Custody
Child Support
Child support in Texas is calculated using statutory guidelines in the Texas Family Code. The amount is based on the paying parent's monthly net income and the number of children covered: 20 percent for one child, 25 percent for two, 30 percent for three, with adjustments above certain income thresholds. Courts can deviate from the guidelines when the facts warrant it. An existing support order can be modified when there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant income change or a shift in the child's primary residence. Support orders can also be enforced through contempt proceedings and license suspension when a parent is not paying.
- ›Child Support
- ›Child Support Modifications
- ›Child Support Enforcement
- ›Child Support Arrears
Parentage and Parental Rights
Parentage cases, sometimes called paternity cases, establish the legal relationship between a parent and child when the parties were not married. Establishing paternity opens the door to child support obligations, conservatorship rights, and access to the child's medical and educational records. Texas courts apply the same best interest of the child standard in parentage cases as in divorce custody proceedings. Father's rights cases address the equal legal standing fathers have under Texas law to pursue conservatorship and parenting time. Grandparent rights exist in limited circumstances defined by the Texas Family Code. Termination of parental rights is a serious proceeding that permanently ends the legal parent-child relationship and is governed by strict statutory standards.
- ›Paternity
- ›Father's Rights
- ›Grandparents' Rights
- ›Termination of Parental Rights
Adoption
Adoption creates a permanent legal parent-child relationship and terminates the rights of the biological parents except in cases of stepparent adoption, where one biological parent remains. Stepparent adoption is the most common type we handle, and it requires consent of the other biological parent or a court finding that termination of that parent's rights is in the child's best interest. Relative adoption involves a family member seeking to adopt a child, often a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling. Adult adoption is available in Texas and creates the same legal relationship as a parent-child adoption, with consequences for inheritance and estate planning.
- ›Adoption
- ›Stepparent Adoption
- ›Relative Adoption
- ›Adult Adoption
Protective and Emergency Orders
When family violence or an immediate threat to a parent or child requires urgent court action, Texas law provides several mechanisms to protect the people involved. A family violence protective order can prohibit an abusive party from contacting or coming near the protected person, and it can be entered quickly when evidence of family violence is present. A temporary restraining order is available at the start of a divorce or custody proceeding to preserve the status quo and protect property, children, and financial accounts from being moved or changed while the case is pending. Temporary orders, entered early in a case, address living arrangements, child possession, support payments, and other urgent matters until the case is fully resolved. Emergency custody orders address immediate threats to a child's safety when the situation cannot wait for a standard hearing.
- ›Family Violence Protective Orders
- ›Temporary Restraining Orders
- ›Temporary Orders in Divorce
- ›Emergency Child Custody Orders
Family Law Courts in McKinney and Collin County
McKinney is the county seat of Collin County, which means the Collin County courthouse, where family law cases are heard, is located here. Family law matters in Collin County are handled in the district courts designated for family proceedings, covering divorce, conservatorship, support, protective orders, and adoption. We appear in these courts regularly and understand how local judges approach scheduling, temporary orders, mediation, and contested hearings. For clients throughout McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Allen, Prosper, Celina, and the surrounding communities, we serve as the McKinney family law attorneys who know these courts and what to expect at every stage.
Why Us
Why McKinney Families Choose Us
Direct attorney access
You speak with an attorney, not a case manager, every time you call.
Free initial consultation
We explain how Texas family law applies to your situation before you decide anything.
Clear communication throughout
Family law cases move through multiple stages. We keep you informed at every one.
Based in McKinney
We know the Collin County courts, their schedules, and what to expect at each stage of a family law case here.
Available 24/7
By phone, text, or online when you need to reach us.
McKinney Family Law FAQs
How long does a divorce take in Texas?
Texas law requires a minimum 60-day waiting period from the date the petition is filed. Uncontested divorces with no property disputes or children can sometimes finalize close to that minimum. Contested cases involving property, children, or fault grounds typically take longer and may require temporary orders, discovery, mediation, and a final hearing.
What is the difference between contested and uncontested divorce in Texas?
In an uncontested divorce, both parties agree on every issue, including property division, conservatorship, possession, and support. A contested divorce means at least one issue is disputed and requires the court to decide. Contested cases take more time and preparation, but temporary orders can address urgent issues like child possession and support while the case is pending.
What does conservatorship mean in Texas?
Conservatorship is the Texas term for legal custody. Managing conservatorship refers to the right to make major decisions for the child. Possessory conservatorship refers to physical custody and the right to have the child in your home. Texas courts generally presume joint managing conservatorship, meaning both parents share decision-making, even when the child primarily lives with one parent.
Can I get spousal maintenance (alimony) in Texas?
Texas courts can order spousal maintenance in specific circumstances defined by the Texas Family Code. Eligibility typically requires that the marriage lasted at least ten years and that the requesting spouse cannot meet their minimum reasonable needs, or in cases involving family violence or a spouse with a disability. Maintenance is not guaranteed and is subject to caps on both amount and duration.
Can a father get primary custody in Texas?
Yes. Texas family courts do not favor mothers over fathers. All custody decisions are based on the best interest of the child. Fathers who are present, involved, and acting in their child's best interest can obtain primary conservatorship on equal legal footing with the other parent.
What is a family violence protective order and how do I get one in McKinney?
A family violence protective order is a court order that can prohibit an abusive person from contacting or coming near you or your children. Applications can be filed in Collin County court. Temporary ex parte orders can be entered on an emergency basis without the other party being present, and a full protective order can follow after a hearing. Contact us immediately if you or your children are in danger.
Talk to a McKinney Family Law Attorney Today
Family law decisions carry consequences that extend well beyond the case itself. The right guidance at the start, before the other side has positioned things in their favor, is what we focus on in every matter we take. Start your free case review or call (469) 960-6069. Our frequently asked questions page also covers general guidance on Texas family law timelines and what to expect from the process.
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