Home is supposed to be the place where life feels settled. When a relationship changes, a child’s future feels uncertain, or someone you love needs protection, that sense of stability can disappear overnight. Suddenly there are court dates, paperwork and decisions that will shape the years ahead for the people who matter most to you.
You don’t have to work through it alone. An experienced lawyer can explain your options in plain language, protect your rights, and push for an outcome that lets everyone move forward. The firms below are known for their credentials, results and care for clients. Each profile lists the office address and phone number.
1. McClure Law Group
Kelly McClure has been board certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1995. D Magazine named her a Best Family Lawyer in Dallas every year from 2003 through 2022. Her background in tax law helps when cases involve family businesses, investments or complicated property. The firm’s Park Cities office is at 8115 Preston Road, Suite 270, Dallas, TX 75225.
- Phone: (214) 692-8200
- Handles custody, child support, adoption, paternity, military divorce, prenuptial agreements and post-divorce modifications
- Partner Francesca Blackard is trained in collaborative law and frequently resolves cases through mediation
- Will travel to other Texas counties, or out of state when a case requires it
2. Epstein Family Law, P.C.
Robert Epstein believes scorched-earth litigation should be a last resort, especially when children are involved. He is board certified in family law and is also a Certified Financial Litigator, which helps in cases involving executive pay, business interests and hidden assets. Doyle’s Guide rated him “Preeminent” among Dallas-Fort Worth family lawyers for 2026.
- Address: 5949 Sherry Lane, Suite 1070, Dallas, TX 75225
- Phone: (972) 232-7673
- Focuses on high-asset cases and difficult custody disputes, including those involving a parent’s substance abuse
- Named to D Magazine’s Best Lawyers in Dallas list for multiple years
3. Balekian Hayes Family Law
Few Texas attorneys hold board certification in both family law and child welfare law. Managing partner Kris Balekian Hayes is one of them. She also holds an MBA and once worked on family violence cases at the district attorney’s office. She was named to the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers list. In 2026 the firm moved to 8131 LBJ Freeway, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75251.
- Phone: (214) 833-9448
- Prepares every case for trial while still pursuing settlement when it makes sense
- Handles Child Protective Services (CPS) matters, custody modifications and paternity cases
- Hayes is a credentialed mediator in family, civil and CPS cases
4. Hargrave Family Law
Jennifer Stanton Hargrave founded this boutique in 2017 around a simple idea: ending a marriage doesn’t have to destroy a family. She is board certified in family law and is a leading voice for collaborative law in Texas. She also serves on the board of The Family Place, a Dallas nonprofit that helps survivors of domestic violence.
- Address: 4201 Spring Valley Road, Suite 1210, Dallas, TX 75244
- Phone: (469) 415-1199
- Offers collaborative, mediated and traditional litigation options
- Serves Dallas, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman and Rockwall counties
- Free initial consultation
5. The Ashmore Law Firm, P.C.
Retired Probate Judge Joseph E. Ashmore Jr. and his son, Gary Ashmore, founded this family-owned firm in 1987. Its mix of practice areas is unusual. Under one roof it handles family law, estate planning, probate and guardianship, which helps when a divorce affects wills, trusts or an aging parent’s care. The office is at 3636 Maple Avenue, Dallas, TX 75219.
- Phone: (214) 559-7202
- Offers divorce coaching to help clients with the emotional side of the process
- Handles adoption, common law marriage disputes and prenuptial agreements
- Its team-based approach was featured in the Dallas Bar Association’s Headnotes in September 2026
More Than Divorce: What These Lawyers Handle
Family courts deal with far more than ending marriages. Here’s how Texas handles some of the most common situations:
- “Conservatorship” means custody. Texas law uses the term conservatorship. Courts usually start from the presumption that both parents should be joint managing conservators, though one parent may still have the right to decide where the child lives.
- Child support can change. A court can modify support if circumstances have materially and substantially changed. It can also do so if three years have passed and the current amount differs from guideline support by at least 20% or $100 a month.
- Paternity has to be established. Unmarried fathers don’t automatically have legal rights. Paternity can be set by a signed Acknowledgment of Paternity or by a court order, often after genetic testing.
- Informal marriage is real in Texas. A couple who agree to be married, live together in Texas and present themselves as married can have a valid common law marriage. Ending one requires a divorce.
- Grandparents face a high bar. Grandparents generally must show that denying access would significantly impair the child’s physical health or emotional well-being.
- Protective orders work fast. A judge can issue a temporary ex parte order the same day in emergencies. A final order can last up to two years, and longer in serious cases.
FAQs
Q1. What does a family lawyer do in Texas?
A: Family lawyers handle divorce, custody, child support, adoption, paternity, protective orders and agreements such as prenups. They represent you in negotiations, mediation and court.
Q2. How much does a family lawyer cost in Dallas?
A: Most charge an upfront retainer and bill hourly. Some offer flat fees for simpler matters like uncontested modifications or adoptions.
Q3. How is custody decided in Texas?
A: Judges decide based on the best interest of the child, looking at stability, each parent’s involvement, and the child’s needs. Children 12 and older can tell the judge their preference.
Q4. Can I change a custody or child support order?
A: Yes, if there’s been a material and substantial change in circumstances or another reason the law recognizes. A lawyer can tell you whether your situation qualifies.
Q5. Do grandparents have visitation rights in Texas?
A: Only in limited situations, and they must generally prove that denying access would significantly harm the child.
Q6. What is collaborative law?
A: It’s a process where both sides and their lawyers agree in writing to resolve the matter without going to court, often with help from neutral financial and child specialists.
