Save the complete papers and envelope, note how and when they were received, identify the court and cause number, calendar every stated date, and gather any current orders. Do not assume that an informal discussion pauses a deadline.

No. Filing begins a process. Temporary orders, agreements, discovery, mediation, and trial may address different issues at different stages. The result depends on the requested relief, law, evidence, and any agreements reached.

Parents can often cooperate informally, but an informal arrangement may not replace the enforceable language of a court order. If a lasting change is needed, ask whether a written modification should be pursued.

Evidence should connect to the child’s best interest and the specific order requested. Depending on the dispute, texts, videos, recordings, CPS or criminal involvment, calendars, school or medical records, other relationships, stepparents and step siblings, witnesses, prior orders, safety information, and evidence of each parent’s caregiving may be relevant.

Depending on the extent of your marital and separate estates it is very common for your divorce attorney and the court to want a complete inventory of assets and liabilities.  Oftentimes divorce lawyers need evidence as to acquisition dates, account records, title documents, debt statements, and information about separate-property claims. Characterization, tracing, value, taxes, liquidity, and enforceability can all affect the analysis. 

Modification asks the court to change an existing order under the applicable standards. Enforcement asks the court to address an alleged violation of the order as written. An enforcement is often used to punish a party for violating an order such as not paying child support, or refusing possession and access to children, but it can also pertain to property related disputes and can involve requests for jail time.  Enforcements regularly are filed with a Modification suit but the same facts do not necessarily support both remedies.

Safety and compliance come first. Protective-order, criminal, CPS, and family-court proceedings can overlap but are not identical. Review every condition before contact, travel, exchanges, or filings.  If the protective order is against you, don’t make your case harder than it needs to be, do not attempt to contact the alleged victim until you have consulted an attorney and understand your legal restrictions.  

No. In fact most cases resolve by agreement or mediation.  Often times, the Temporary Orders Hearing (if one is even had at all) is the only time the parties have to go to court.  However, depending on the level in which a case is contested, numerous other hearings and a contested trial may have to occur to bring the case to a conclusion.  A sound plan prepares the evidence and proposed orders while evaluating whether a negotiated result is specific, workable, and enforceable.

Absolutely.  Frisco and Sherman are the firm’s offices. However, our attorneys extensively practice in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Grayson, and Tarrant county and even other surrounding counties. In addition, for select family law matters, Ridgely Davis represents individuals in the Greater Houston Area as well depending on the matter, court, timing, conflicts, and the written engagement scope.

No. Submitting information does not create an attorney-client relationship. Representation begins only after conflict review, acceptance of the matter, and a written engagement agreement.