Family Law

Few legal areas are as emotionally charged as family law. A divorce, child custody proceeding, property dispute, or other family law controversy can generate a range of emotions — anxiety, anger, displeasure, depression, irritation, sorrow, frustration, fatigue, hopelessness, and insecurity.

When emotions run rampant and the stakes are high, you need a trial lawyer with the experience and ability to provide sound legal advice and support. Guest & Associates has the ability, know-how, and backbone to help guide you through the twists and turns of the law and arrive at a favorable result.

Working closely with the client, we immediately analyze the merits of each case, evaluate the underlying facts and law, and develop a strategy to protect their interests. We tell our clients what steps they should take early on, because so often that is when the outcome is determined. Later it becomes more difficult and expensive to try to undo what is already in place.

What sets us apart from other family law attorneys is that we are first and foremost trial lawyers and litigators. Many divorce lawyers settle cases through mediation, arbitration, negotiation and a host of other methods outside of the courtroom. In theory, we believe in settlement and encourage compromise. In reality, however, an agreement cannot always be reached. A parent with little interest in the children may suddenly want custody and placement because it will have an effect on child support. A non-working spouse may feel that after the divorce is final, the spouse who is working should continue to provide financial support. One spouse may have an unrealistic view of the value of the marital home, business, stock options, or retirement accounts. One party may completely misrepresent facts. Issues like these do not lend themselves to settlement. If your attorney is not a trial lawyer or litigator, you may be left with little or no choice but to settle the dispute on terms that may be unfair and unreasonable to you.

Our divorce attorneys are seasoned professionals with extensive experience in family law. Unlike many attorneys, we are not afraid of going to trial. We won't encourage you to settle your case for less than it is worth. We fight for our clients' rights ethically, fairly, and professionally. And do you know what? Other people in the legal community know that, too. That means our clients are likely to receive settlement offers that are much more reasonable and favorable than they would have with an attorney who has a reputation for avoiding trial. You may even have a better chance of a fair settlement without litigation. And that's the bottom line in any divorce or family law situation.

Guest & Associates family lawyers have expertise in handling complex marital dissolution proceedings involving child custody and financial support matters, substantial estates, complex tax aspects, and challenging legal issues. We also structure and prepare pre-marital, post-marital, and cohabitation agreements.

Guest & Associates represents clients in a full range of family law matters, including:

  • Divorce
  • Paternity
  • Child custody
  • Child custody battles across state lines
  • Child support
  • Visitation
  • Parenting time
  • Temporary orders
  • Legal separation
  • Premarital or prenuptial agreements
  • Restraining orders
  • Domestic abuse maintenance or spousal support modifications
  • Judgment enforcement
  • Marital property and property division
  • Retirement benefits
  • Grandparent visitation
  • Parental rights termination defense

Fees

We are honest about our fees so that there are no unpleasant surprises. How much your case will cost depends a lot on how easy it is for the parties to agree or the complexity of your case. If one party is completely unreasonable, the fees in your case will increase significantly. Undoubtedly, you can find lawyers who charge less, but we know of many instances when our experience and knowledge of the law and judicial system has allowed us to obtain a favorable result for our clients at considerably less cost than another attorney less-versed in the law.

Initial consultations are free and are held in person at one of our convenient office locations in Irving, Duncanville or DeKalb, Texas.

Please feel free to Contact Us about any questions you may have, or call us at (972) 594-1133.