Timberwood Park, TX Family Law Attorney

Experienced Family Law Attorney Helping Families Across Bexar County, Texas

Family law cases can involve important decisions about your children, financial support, and the division of your property. These decisions can have a lasting impact on your family's future. For residents of Timberwood Park, family law matters are typically handled in the Bexar County courts in San Antonio.

With more than 15 years of legal experience, Brandon Wong can help you understand your rights under Texas law and make informed decisions about your case.

Ending a Marriage Under Texas Community Property Rules

Before you can file for divorce in Bexar County, you or your spouse must have lived in Texas for at least six months and in the county for at least 90 days. After the petition is filed, Texas requires a 60-day waiting period before a judge may grant the divorce, with limited exceptions for cases involving family violence.

Texas is a community property state. Most property either spouse acquired during the marriage is presumed to belong to both of you. A judge divides it in a way the court considers "just and right." That division is not always an equal split. At Brandon Wong & Associates, we can help you identify separate property, such as assets you owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance, so it is not divided during the divorce process.

Fighting for Custody in Bexar County

Texas law uses the term "conservatorship" instead of child custody. A conservator has certain legal rights and duties toward a child, which can include decisions about medical care and education. Courts presume that naming both parents joint managing conservators serves the child's best interest. However, one parent may still receive the exclusive right to decide where the child lives.

Texas parenting schedules often follow a standard order that includes certain weekends, holidays, and summer visits. Children age 12 or older may tell the judge which parent they prefer to live with. Attorney Brandon Wong can help create a parenting schedule that fits your child's needs and daily routine.

For unmarried parents, establishing paternity may be necessary before a father can seek custody or parenting time. This can be done through a signed Acknowledgment of Paternity, a court order, or other circumstances recognized under Texas law.

How Texas Courts Calculate Child Support

Child support in Texas is based on the paying parent's monthly net resources. For parents with monthly net resources of at least $1,000, Texas child support guidelines use these percentages:

• One child: 20 percent
• Two children: 25 percent
• Three children: 30 percent
• Four children: 35 percent
• Five children: 40 percent
• Six or more children: At least 40 percent

Lower percentages apply when monthly net resources are below $1,000. The amount may also change if the parent supports children in another household. We can help you understand how these guidelines apply to your situation and work toward a fair child support arrangement.

Growing Your Family Through Adoption

Texas generally requires a child to live with you for at least six months before an adoption is finalized, although a court may waive this requirement in some situations. Stepparent, relative, and adult adoptions each follow different steps. If you completed an international adoption, you may ask a Texas court to recognize the foreign adoption order. LGBT family law concerns can also arise, since a parent who is not biologically related to a child may need an adoption or court order to secure the same legal rights as the other parent.

Prenuptial and Cohabitation Agreements in Texas

A prenuptial agreement allows couples to decide how property and debts will be divided if they divorce. In Texas, the agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties. A court may refuse to enforce the agreement if someone was pressured into signing it. The court can also reject it if it was extremely unfair when signed and certain financial disclosure requirements were not met. We have experience helping couples prepare agreements that protect their interests and meet Texas legal requirements.

Unmarried couples can also use cohabitation agreements to protect their financial interests and address shared expenses. Texas requires agreements based on living together as an unmarried couple to be in writing and signed by the person they will be enforced against.

Talk With a Timberwood Park, TX Family Law Attorney

Brandon Wong & Associates has earned more than 225 five-star reviews across the web from clients who needed help with everything from divorce and custody to support and adoption. Our firm will help you understand your options at each stage. Contact our Timberwood Park family law attorney at 210-201-3832 to schedule a consultation.