Family Lawyer Dripping Springs, TX
If you’re dealing with a family law matter in Dripping Springs, our attorney knows that the stakes are high. These aren’t abstract legal questions. They’re about your children, your home, your financial security, and your future. The decisions made in family court have consequences that last for years, sometimes decades.
Gray Becker, P.C. has practiced family law in Central Texas since 1976. Our Dripping Springs, TX family lawyers have spent over four decades helping clients through divorce, custody disputes, child support matters, property division, and post-decree modifications. We understand that every family situation is different. What worked for someone else may not work for you.
Our firm represents clients on both sides of family disputes whether you initiated the matter or are responding to legal action someone else started. Dripping Springs falls within Hays County, and we regularly appear in courts throughout the region. Contact our office to speak with a family attorney who will take the time to understand your situation before recommending a path forward.
Why Choose Gray Becker for Family Law in Dripping Springs, Texas?
Local Knowledge and Courtroom Experience
Gray Becker has practiced in Central Texas courts for nearly five decades. Founding partner Richard E. Gray III began representing clients in family law and complex litigation matters in 1976 and continues handling cases today. He’s tried cases to juries, argued before appellate courts, and represented clients in the U.S. Supreme Court. Richard earned his J.D. 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 Dripping Springs, TX, that depth of courtroom experience shapes how your case gets handled from initial strategy through final resolution.
Child-Centered Approach to Custody Matters
Custody disputes bring out strong emotions. Parents fear losing time with their children. They worry about the other parent’s influence. These concerns are legitimate, but courts focus on one thing: the best interest of the child.
We help clients understand what courts actually consider when making custody decisions. We prepare cases that demonstrate your parenting strengths while addressing legitimate concerns about the other parent. When settlement serves your children’s interests, we pursue it. When litigation becomes necessary, we’re prepared to advocate aggressively.
Recognized by Peers and Legal Organizations
Richard E. Gray III 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 holds admissions in all federal district courts in Texas, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. These recognitions reflect peer evaluation of legal ability and ethical standards.
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“I sincerely enjoyed working with Richard throughout the entire legal process. He and his team were extremely capable, caring, thorough and efficient. I highly recommend anyone interested in retaining his services to reach out and find out personally! If anyone has questions prior to engagement, I’d be happy to get on a quick call to discuss further.” — Wes Wells
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Family Law Cases We Handle in Dripping Springs
Family law encompasses more than divorce. Our Dripping Springs family attorneys handle the full range of matters that affect Texas families.
- Divorce. Whether contested or uncontested, divorce involves dividing property, potentially addressing spousal support, and—when children are involved—establishing custody and support arrangements. We handle straightforward cases and complex ones involving substantial assets or difficult circumstances.
- Child custody. Texas uses the term “conservatorship” for custody arrangements. Courts establish which parent has the right to make major decisions and create possession schedules determining when children are with each parent. We handle initial custody establishment, high-conflict litigation, and disputes between unmarried parents.
- Child support. Texas calculates child support using statutory guidelines based on the paying parent’s income. But guidelines don’t account for every situation. Medical needs, educational expenses, and special circumstances require careful attention. We advocate for support orders that reflect your family’s actual circumstances.
- Property division. Texas community property law means most assets acquired during marriage belong to both spouses. Dividing those assets fairly requires identifying everything, determining what’s community versus separate property, and advocating for a division that accounts for relevant factors like earning capacity and fault.
- Modifications. Life changes. Job loss, relocation, remarriage, or changes in a child’s needs can justify modifying existing orders. We help clients seek modifications when circumstances warrant and defend against modification requests that aren’t justified.
- Enforcement. Court orders mean nothing if they’re not followed. When your ex-spouse violates custody arrangements, fails to pay support, or ignores other court-ordered obligations, enforcement actions hold them accountable. We pursue enforcement aggressively when necessary.
Texas Legal Requirements for Family Law
Texas family law operates under specific rules established in the Texas Family Code. Understanding these requirements helps you know what to expect.
Residency Requirements
To file for divorce or other family matters in Texas, at least one party must have been a Texas resident for six continuous months. You must also have lived in the county where you file for at least 90 days. Dripping Springs residents typically file in Hays County courts.
Child Custody Standards
Texas courts make custody decisions based on the “best interest of the child” standard set forth in Section 153.002 of the Family Code. Courts consider each parent’s abilities, the child’s emotional and physical needs, stability of proposed living arrangements, and any history of family violence or substance abuse.
Children who are 12 or older may express a preference about which parent they want to live with primarily. Courts consider this preference but aren’t bound by it. A teenager’s stated preference is one factor among many, not a deciding vote.
Child Support Guidelines
Texas Family Code Chapter 154 establishes child support guidelines. For one child, the guideline amount is 20% of the paying parent’s net resources. The percentage increases for additional children. Courts can deviate from guidelines when circumstances justify it, but the burden falls on the party requesting deviation to demonstrate why.
Community Property Division
Under Texas Family Code Chapter 7, courts divide community property in a manner that is “just and right.” This doesn’t necessarily mean 50/50. Judges have discretion to consider factors including fault in the marriage breakdown, disparities in earning capacity, custody arrangements, and each spouse’s health and age.
Important Aspects of a Dripping Springs Family Law Case
Family law cases involve multiple stages and decisions. Knowing what lies ahead helps you prepare.
Temporary Orders
In contested cases, courts often enter temporary orders that govern the situation while litigation proceeds. These orders address living arrangements, temporary custody schedules, child and spousal support during the case, and restrictions on dissipating marital assets.
Temporary orders matter more than many people realize. They establish patterns that courts tend to maintain. If your spouse gets temporary primary custody, changing that arrangement in the final order becomes an uphill battle. We treat temporary orders hearings with the seriousness they deserve.
Discovery and Evidence Gathering
Family law cases require evidence. Financial documents prove income and asset values. Communications may demonstrate parenting concerns. School records, medical records, and witness testimony all play roles in building a case.
Texas law requires both parties to disclose financial information through sworn inventories. But disclosure requirements don’t guarantee honesty. When you suspect hidden assets or need to dig deeper, formal discovery such as interrogatories, document requests, depositions, subpoenas, provides the tools. Gathering proper evidence for custody disputes requires strategic planning from the outset.
Mediation Requirements
Texas courts require mediation in most family law cases before trial. A neutral mediator facilitates settlement discussions between the parties. Mediation works well when both sides negotiate in good faith. Many cases resolve at this stage.
But not all cases settle. When one party is unreasonable, when trust has completely broken down, or when critical issues simply cannot be compromised, trial becomes necessary. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial while remaining open to reasonable settlement opportunities.
Parental Alienation Concerns
In high-conflict custody cases, one parent sometimes attempts to damage the child’s relationship with the other parent. This behavior, sometimes called parental alienation, can involve badmouthing the other parent, interfering with visitation, or manipulating the child’s perceptions.
Courts take these concerns seriously. Documenting alienating behaviors and presenting evidence effectively requires experienced legal representation. We’ve handled cases involving these difficult dynamics.
Relocation Disputes
When a parent wants to move with the child, whether across the state or out of Texas entirely, the other parent’s rights come into play. Relocation disputes involve complex legal standards and require demonstrating that the move serves the child’s best interests while addressing the impact on the non-relocating parent’s relationship.
Enforcement and Modifications
Court orders are legally binding. When your ex-spouse refuses to follow them, denying visitation, failing to pay support, violating possession schedules, you have legal remedies. Enforcement actions can result in makeup visitation, wage garnishment, contempt findings, and even jail time in serious cases. The Texas Attorney General’s office provides child support enforcement services.
Final orders aren’t always final. Texas law allows modifications when there’s been a material and substantial change in circumstances since the last order. A significant income change, a parent’s relocation, a child’s evolving needs, or changes in a parent’s living situation can all justify revisiting existing orders.
Contact Gray Becker, P.C.
If you need a family lawyer in Dripping Springs, Texas, our firm is ready to help. We represent clients throughout Hays County in divorce, child custody, child support, property division, modifications, and enforcement matters.
Gray Becker has practiced family law in Central Texas since 1976. Our founding partner continues handling family law matters personally, bringing nearly five decades of courtroom experience to every case.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your family law matter. We’ll listen to your situation, explain your options under Texas law, and give you an honest assessment of what to expect. Contact our office to speak with a Dripping Springs family attorney.