Representative Experience
Over the years I've been on both sides of the issues. Below is a sample of things I've done by category.
Parents with children:
Numerous custody orders (parenting plans) respecting the needs of parents and children.
Argued successful out of state relocation for mother with minor child.
Successfully reunified father with alienated teenagers and secured finding of parental alienation.
Secured orders restricting impaired parent's access to children and restricting alienating parent's access to children.
Married with Property:
Litigated disputed asset characterization and valuation.
Secured partial invalidation of marital property agreement on grounds of vagueness resulting in dramatic windfall for client.
Secured complete invalidation of prenuptial agreement on grounds of involuntary execution.
Numerous custom property divisions by agreement or order after bench and jury trials.
Established informal marriage of same-sex couple to a jury after a two week trial. (First in Texas.)
Grandparent Suits:
Prosecuted termination of parent-child relationship successfully representing grandmother for the safety of grandchildren.
Defeated undue bereaved grandparent suit for custody against surviving parent, representing surviving parent.
Unmarried Domestic Property Cases:
Negotiated favorable property settlement for separating unmarried partners' shared or claimed assets.
In real estate suit to recover title to ranch, set aside deed instrument to ranch on proof resulting trust causing title to vest with client.
In suit to recover property incident to real estate, imposed constructive trust on chattel property incident to ranch.
Protective Orders:
Procured permanent protective order on behalf of mother against batterer.
Set aside permanent protective order on behalf of father upon showing of fraud and assaultive conduct by mother.
Unproven Marriage Cases, also known as Common Law Marriage Cases:
Defeated numerous traditional and no evidence motions for summary judgment concerning the marriage relationship.
Established informal marriage of same-sex couple to a jury after a two week trial. (First in Texas.)
Defeated claim for award of property notwithstanding proof of common law marriage.
Property Agreements:
Advised clients with respect to pre nuptial and post nuptial agreements.
Drafted agreements affecting property before and during marriage.
Litigated effect and enforcement of agreements affecting property in court.