Legal Question in Family Law in Texas
child custody without marriage
can you legally do your own child custody papers in texas if both parties agree?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: child custody without marriage
Nothing in the law prohibits parties from drafting their own petitions and decrees and the associated forms and proving the elements necessary to the court. In some matters, even with attorneys for the parties, a court will appoint an attorney ad litem for a minor child or one or more of the parties.
Nothing in nature prevents a person from amputating his own limb if that limb is diseased.
Neither is a very good idea.
Get a lawyer.
http://www.reasonable-doubt.com
Re: child custody without marriage
You can go to any law library and try to figure out the required forms yourself.
In Harris County the law library is in the same building as jury assembly. It is located at the corner of Congress and Fannin. The librarians are a wonderful resource. However, I don't think they are attorneys and therefore they cannot give you specific legal advice.
You file the documents at the Family Law Center located across the street at the corner of Congress and San Jacinto (1115 Congress Avenue). The clerks are located in the basement and they take your money and documents. Again they are not lawyers and they cannot give you legal advice. They can only accept the papers you have prepared. They do not know if the documents you are filing are properly prepared.
Of course, you can go to the Texas Attorney General's office and do it for free. Again, it is a slow process since this service is free.
I would encourage you to hire an attorney to walk you through this process.
My deposit is $990 then weekly payments after the deposit is paid. If you overpay me, I really do refund any overpayment at the end of the legal representation.
Good luck!
Fran Brochstein
www.FamilyLaw4u.com
713-847-6000