Family Law

• Divorce
  While some divorces can be handled quickly with minimal assistance from a lawyer, others require experienced legal counsel from attorneys with years of experience pursuing favorable divorce agreements in addition to zealously litigating cases when matters must be disputed in court.
• Child Support
  When it comes to paternity and parentage issues, no matter what side of the issue you are on, you will benefit from working with a lawyer who has handled every side of the dispute. At The Powell Law Firm, our attorneys have represented fathers seeking custody rights, those contesting a claim of paternity, and mothers seeking to establish paternity in order to receive necessary child support. We realize that these are sensitive areas, and our experience allows us to represent our clients with the utmost professionalism and understanding.
• Child Custody and Visitation
  Domestic violence is a serious issue for everyone involved. In addition to the obvious physical safety and emotional health concerns, domestic violence can have a significant impact on an ensuing divorce, affecting everything from child custody arrangements to the division of assets. If you are entering divorce proceedings in which claims of domestic violence are involved, make sure you work with an experienced lawyer who can help protect your interests throughout the divorce.
• Adoption
  If you are related to the child in any way, generally you move through a process similar to that of a step-parent adoption, which involves termination of at least one of the other parent's rights (usually by consenting individuals), sometimes both, if the clients are a couple wishing to adopt another couple's child on a voluntary basis.
• Paternity
  Family law rules become more complicated when either parent challenges a claim of paternity. In many cases, genetic testing can be required in order to determine to whom a child belongs. These complications require a lawyer who is experienced in handling paternity disputes in order to get clients the rights they are seeking.
• Guardianship
  A guardianship can be a powerful tool for taking care of an elderly loved one, a child or even yourself if need arises. However, a guardianship involves a significant loss of individual liberty and it needs to be handled with extraordinary care. Only let an experienced, knowledgeable attorney assist you with establishing a guardianship.
• Spousal Support
  Courts in Texas do not take a one-size-fits-all approach when determining whether spouses are entitled to what is commonly referred to as alimony, or how much they are entitled to. There are many factors that a court will look to when deciding whether to make temporary or ongoing support available.
• Legal Separation
  Although Texas law does not have a statutory regulation for separation, many couples choose an informal separation. Informal separation is outside of the legal system, but there are still many legal considerations for couples to consider.
• Annulment
  Both a divorce and an annulment end a relationship. However, a divorce ends a valid marriage. An annulment, on the other hand, ends a marriage that was never valid in the first place. There are several reasons why a marriage could be null and void. Possible reasons include bigamy, fraud, intoxication, lack of mental capacity, impotence, underage parties, and blood relationship. Even if the marriage was not valid, there may still be children involved. This means that a judge may order child support and child custody.

Criminal Law

• Restraining Order
  You need to act quickly. When it comes to divorce, you simply cannot procrastinate. Read the divorce papers right away. Make a note of the orders that your spouse wants the judge to make. Also, look for any restraining orders or hearing dates.

Business and Corporate Law

• Business Disputes
  We provide mediation services in a range of practice areas, including business disputes. We focus on utilizing mediation to successfully settle divorce and other family law disputes without resorting to drawn-out, expensive battles in court.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  When conflict or disagreement arises in the execution of estates, there is a lot at stake. Administrators and executors could be facing serious legal consequences, and potential beneficiaries could lose out on their inheritances. Talk with a lawyer who has experience handling estate planning, administration and disputes to protect your interests in the probate process.
• Wills
  Will contests: Potential beneficiaries can contest the validity of a will. For a will to be valid, the testator must be of sound mind and not under any undue influence. Instances of intimidation, threats, or even guilt and emotional control over the person making the will can be seen as undue influence.
• Trusts
  A trust gives you greater control over the means and timing of the transfer. For example, you could create a trust to a child or grandchild that will transfer assets after graduating from college. Trusts are also available to transfer assets only for specific purposes, as in a special needs trust. Living trusts and other trusts are available for a variety of purposes.
• Power of Attorney
  Guardianships: We help clients with the complex process involved in establishing and administrating all types of guardianships, powers of attorney and related legal instruments.
• Probate

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy