Family Lawyer Cedar Park, TX
If you are dealing with a family law matter in Cedar Park, you probably have questions about your rights, your children, and your financial future. These situations rarely come with easy answers. The decisions made now can affect your family for years.
At Gray Becker, P.C., our Cedar Park, TX family lawyer team has been handling family law cases in Texas since 1976. That’s more than four decades of courtroom experience, settlement negotiations, and working with families through some of their most difficult moments. We represent clients on both sides of family disputes whether you initiated the action or are responding to one.
Our attorneys understand that every family situation is different. What works for one case may not work for yours. That’s why we take the time to understand your circumstances before recommending a strategy. Contact our office to discuss your case with a family attorney who will listen.
Why Choose Gray Becker for Family Law in Cedar Park, Texas?
Local Knowledge and Decades of Experience
Our firm has practiced in Williamson County and Travis County courts for over 40 years. Founding partner Richard E. Gray III has practiced law in Texas since 1976. He represents individuals in complex litigation and family law matters, handling all phases of the legal process. Richard has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America for Family Law from 2013 through 2025 and named a Texas Super Lawyer multiple years running. He earned his law degree from The University of Texas School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University.
When you work with a family lawyer in Cedar Park, you’re working with attorneys who have built their reputations handling complex family matters throughout Central Texas.
Personalized Case Strategy
Family law is not one-size-fits-all. A high-asset divorce involving business valuations requires different handling than a straightforward custody modification. We assess what’s actually at stake in your situation and build a strategy around those specific concerns. Some cases resolve better through negotiation. Others require aggressive litigation. We’ll be direct with you about which approach makes sense.
A Team That Communicates
One complaint people have about attorneys is that they don’t return calls. We hear it all the time from clients who came to us after working with other firms. At Gray Becker, we prioritize keeping you informed. You’ll know what’s happening in your case, what the next steps are, and what to expect.
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“I can’t recommend Caroline Alonzo with Gray Becker highly enough. From our first meeting, it was clear that she is not only an expert in family law but also genuinely cares about my well-being. She is very detailed, making sure everything was addressed from simple matters to more complex situations. Her communication was concise, and she always kept me in the loop. What truly sets Caroline apart is her commitment to her client’s best interests and her patience in working through the process. At times, I slowed things down with my own uncertainty. She was always understanding and took the time to explain things thoroughly while giving me the time I needed to make the decisions that I felt were best for me. Caroline is compassionate, patient, and knowledgeable, and I would recommend her 100 times over.” — Heather Kocks
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Family Law Cases We Handle in Cedar Park
Our Cedar Park family attorneys handle the full range of family legal matters. Whether you are ending a marriage, establishing parental rights, or trying to modify an existing order, we can help.
- Child custody. Custody disputes involve determining conservatorship and creating parenting plans that serve the child’s best interests. We handle initial custody establishment, high-conflict litigation, relocation disputes, and cases involving unmarried parents. Texas courts prioritize stability and the child’s physical and emotional needs when making these decisions.
- Child support. Texas uses specific guidelines to calculate child support based on the paying parent’s income. But guideline support doesn’t always account for special circumstances such as medical needs, educational expenses, or significant income variations. We advocate for support orders that reflect your family’s actual situation.
- High-asset divorce. When a marriage involves substantial assets, business interests, or complex financial holdings, the divorce process becomes significantly more complicated. Proper valuation matters. So does understanding what counts as community property versus separate property.
- Property division. Texas is a community property state, meaning most assets acquired during marriage belong to both spouses. But “equal” division doesn’t always mean a 50/50 split. Courts consider factors like earning capacity, fault in the marriage breakdown, and custodial responsibilities when dividing assets.
- Same-sex divorce. Same-sex couples face the same legal process as any other divorcing couple in Texas. However, some cases involve unique issues when the couple was together before marriage equality or when children are involved.
- Modifications and enforcements. Circumstances change. Job loss, relocation, remarriage. Any of these can justify modifying an existing custody or support order. We also handle enforcement actions when the other party isn’t following court orders.
- Divorce. Whether contested or uncontested, divorce involves dividing property, potentially addressing spousal support, and, when children are involved, establishing custody and support arrangements. We guide clients through every phase of the process, from filing the initial petition through final decree.
Texas Legal Requirements for Family Law
Texas family law operates under rules set out in the Texas Family Code. Understanding these requirements matters because they directly affect your case.
Residency Requirements for Divorce
To file for divorce in Texas, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for six months and in the county where you’re filing for at least 90 days. If you recently moved to Cedar Park from out of state, timing matters. Filing before you meet residency requirements can result in your case being dismissed.
The 60-Day Waiting Period
Texas imposes a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date a divorce petition is filed before the divorce can be finalized. This applies even when both parties agree on everything. In contested cases, the process typically takes much longer, often six months to a year or more.
Child Custody Standards
Texas courts make custody decisions based on the “best interest of the child” standard outlined in Section 153.002 of the Family Code. Courts consider factors including each parent’s abilities, the child’s emotional and physical needs, and the stability of each home environment. Children 12 and older may express a preference to the court, but that preference isn’t automatically controlling.
Community Property Division
Under Texas Family Code Chapter 7, courts divide marital property in a manner that is “just and right.” This gives judges significant discretion. Fault grounds like adultery or cruelty can influence how property gets divided, though Texas also recognizes no-fault divorce.
Important Aspects of a Cedar Park Family Law Case
Family law cases involve both legal and practical considerations. Knowing what to expect helps you make better decisions throughout the process.
Temporary Orders
Many family cases begin with temporary orders that establish rules while the case is pending. These orders address who stays in the home, temporary custody arrangements, child support during litigation, and restrictions on selling or depleting assets. Temporary orders aren’t permanent, but they often influence the final outcome because courts tend to maintain stability once a pattern is established.
Discovery and Financial Disclosure
In divorce cases, both parties must disclose their financial information. This includes income, assets, debts, and expenses. When one spouse controls the finances or when there’s suspicion of hidden assets, formal discovery such as interrogatories, requests for production, depositions becomes essential. Full financial transparency protects your interests.
Mediation
Texas requires mediation in most family law cases before trial. A neutral mediator helps both parties negotiate a settlement. Many cases resolve at mediation, which saves time, money, and the uncertainty of a trial. However, mediation only works when both parties negotiate in good faith. If your spouse isn’t willing to be reasonable, trial may be necessary. Our attorneys have extensive experience with both mediation and litigation.
Parental Alienation
In high-conflict custody cases, one parent sometimes attempts to damage the child’s relationship with the other parent. Courts take parental alienation seriously. Documenting these behaviors and presenting evidence appropriately requires skilled legal representation.
Post-Divorce Modifications
Final orders aren’t always truly final. Texas law allows modifications to custody, visitation, and support orders when there’s been a material and substantial change in circumstances. A parent relocating for work, a significant income change, or a child’s evolving needs can all justify modification. The Texas Office of the Attorney General provides resources on child support enforcement and modification procedures.
Protecting Your Rights During the Process
Mistakes made early in a family law case can be difficult to fix later. Posting on social media, moving out of the family home without legal advice, or making verbal agreements without documentation—these decisions can hurt your position. We counsel clients on how to protect themselves from the start.
Contact Gray Becker, P.C.
If you need a family lawyer in Cedar Park, TX, we’re ready to discuss your situation. Our attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, property division, and modifications for clients throughout Williamson County and the greater Austin area.
We’ve been practicing family law in Central Texas since 1976. Our team includes a Board Certified family law attorney and multiple attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Texas Super Lawyers. We bring that experience to every case we handle.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your case. We will review your situation, explain your options, and give you a clear picture of what to expect moving forward. Call our office or contact us online to get started.