Legal Question in Family Law in Texas
my 16 year old son has elected to live with his father whom I divorced over 6 years ago. If I agree to the Modification of Parent-Child Relationship being brought against me, do I need legal representation? How do I respond to the courts in writing as I've been instructed to do on the papers I was served with?
2 Answers from Attorneys
To fully protect yourself, retain a lawyer. It is necessary to respond to the lawsuit, and to review the proposed agreed order. It is fine to agree with the change in theory, but the wording of the order will affect many aspects of your relationship with your son, including child support and visitation, rights and duties. Do not let the pleading go unanswered, as then the court can proceed against you without further notice to you. Since this is an agreed proceeding, the attorney you retain will not require a significant retainer.
I sell a basic ANSWER for $25 cash.
If you want to meet and have me review the papers but not become your attorney of record, I charge $150 per hour to do so - my normal hourly rate is $200 an hour.
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