Family Law

Corpus Christi Family Law Attorney

Family cases in Corpus Christi rarely fit a single box. A divorce may also involve a custody schedule built around shift work at the refineries, a military pension, or a protective order. Barrett Legal PLLC helps Coastal Bend families sort through those overlapping issues and make decisions that hold up for years.

If you are facing a family law matter in Nueces County, call 361-542-4295 to schedule a consultation with our Corpus Christi team.

Family Law Services for Coastal Bend Families

  • Divorce. Contested or agreed, with or without children. Our Corpus Christi divorce lawyer page explains the process in detail.
  • Child custody and visitation. Texas calls this conservatorship, possession, and access. We help parents build schedules that work in real life.
  • Child support. We make sure support is calculated from accurate income information, including overtime, bonuses, and self-employment income.
  • Protective orders. We seek protection for clients facing family violence and defend clients facing orders they believe are unfounded.
  • Modifications and enforcement. We help when an old order no longer fits or the other side stops following it.

Family Law Questions We Hear in Corpus Christi

Can I file here if I just moved?

To file for divorce in Texas, one spouse generally must have lived in the state for six months and in the county for 90 days under Family Code Section 6.301. Custody cases have their own rules about which state can hear them, usually based on where the child has lived for the last six months. If you recently relocated, we can tell you where your case belongs.

How do military orders affect a family case?

Corpus Christi is home to a large military community. A servicemember on active duty can ask the court to pause certain proceedings under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Texas also has specific custody rules for military deployment that allow temporary changes while a parent is deployed. Military retirement pay can be divided in a divorce under federal law, and getting the order language right matters.

How is child support figured?

Under Family Code Chapter 154, guideline support starts at 20% of the paying parent’s net resources for one child and goes up for each additional child, subject to a statutory cap. The court can go above or below guidelines when the evidence supports it. Health insurance and dental coverage are ordered on top of basic support.

Will I receive or pay spousal maintenance?

Court-ordered maintenance is limited in Texas. Under Family Code Chapter 8, the requesting spouse must show they can’t meet minimum reasonable needs and meet a qualifying condition, such as a marriage of 10 years or more or a disability. Amount and length are capped by statute, though spouses can agree to other terms.

What if I’m afraid for my safety?

You can ask for a protective order under Family Code Chapter 85. A temporary ex parte order can be issued quickly when there’s a clear and present danger of family violence, followed by a hearing on a longer order. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 first.

Can an existing order be changed?

Yes, when circumstances have materially and substantially changed and the change serves the child’s best interest. Family Code Chapter 156 covers modifications to custody, visitation, and support.

What to Expect in Nueces County Family Court

Family cases in Corpus Christi are filed in the district courts at the Nueces County Courthouse on Leopard Street. Most cases move through a few predictable stages: filing and service, a temporary orders hearing if the parties can’t agree on interim arrangements, an exchange of financial information, mediation, and either a signed agreement or a final hearing.

Many cases settle at mediation. The ones that don’t are decided by a judge, and in some custody matters, a jury. We prepare every case as if it will be heard, which gives you a stronger position at the negotiating table.

When Family Law and Criminal Cases Overlap

A family violence arrest, a DWI, or a drug charge can change the course of a custody or divorce case. Barrett Legal PLLC handles both family law and criminal defense, so we can coordinate strategy and make sure a statement or plea in one case doesn’t hurt you in the other.

Contact Our Corpus Christi Office

Our Corpus Christi office at 921 N Chaparral St, Suite 208, works with families throughout Nueces County and the Coastal Bend. Call 361-542-4295 to schedule your consultation.