About Lindsey Obenhaus
Lindsey Obenhaus represents successful professionals, business owners and their spouses in financially complex divorces and contested custody matters. A partner at Goranson Bain Ausley, she is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and a former Dallas County family violence prosecutor. She combines extensive courtroom experience with sophisticated financial knowledge and a highly personal approach to helping clients protect what matters most.
Lindsey has particular experience representing accomplished women and working mothers, including executives, physicians, entrepreneurs and attorneys who are often their family’s primary earners. She understands the challenges they face when substantial assets, demanding careers and parenting responsibilities intersect in divorce. Whether a client built the family’s wealth or is married to a high-earning professional, Lindsey helps her understand the financial picture, anticipate potential disputes and prepare for the next chapter.
Her work includes high conflict relationships, business valuations, executive compensation, complex property division and contested custody. She works with forensic accountants and other experts when necessary to evaluate assets and develop evidence to support her clients’ positions. Drawing on her experience as a prosecutor and family law litigator, she is equally prepared to handle cases involving domestic violence, addiction and difficult parenting disputes.
Lindsey believes preparation gives clients greater confidence and control. She takes time to understand their priorities, explain their options and help them evaluate the financial and personal consequences of important decisions. She pursues practical resolutions through settlement, collaborative law, and mediation, but remains prepared to litigate when necessary.
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What Sets Her Apart
- Board Certified in Family Law. Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2019, Lindsey has demonstrated substantial experience and specialized knowledge in family law.
- Experience Representing Successful Women. Lindsey understands the financial and parenting concerns of high-earning women and spouses of successful professionals. She helps clients navigate complex property issues, protect their financial interests and address custody questions arising from demanding careers.
- Sophisticated Financial and Litigation Experience. Lindsey handles substantial marital estates involving closely held businesses, real estate, investments and executive compensation. She works with financial experts to investigate disputed assets and prepare complex cases for negotiation or trial.
- Former Family Violence Prosecutor. Lindsey’s experience in the Dallas County District Attorney’s Protective Order Unit and Family Violence divisions informs her approach to high-conflict divorce, custody disputes and cases involving safety concerns.
- Personal Attention and Candid Advice. Lindsey prepares clients for the decisions ahead through detailed planning meetings, clear communication and realistic guidance. She considers the long-term financial and family consequences of each decision, including the cost of litigation.
- Professional Recognition and Leadership. A Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the International Academy of Family Lawyers, Lindsey is a frequent author and speaker on complex family law matters.
Practice Focus
Lindsey represents clients in financially sophisticated divorces and difficult custody disputes, with particular experience advising successful women and working parents.
- High Net Worth Divorce. Lindsey represents business owners, executives, professionals and their spouses in divorces involving substantial marital estates, helping them protect their financial interests and plan for the future.
- Complex Property. She handles the division of businesses, investment portfolios, real estate, retirement assets and executive compensation, including cases requiring forensic accounting and financial analysis.
- Characterization of Separate and Community Property. Lindsey traces assets through complex financial histories to evaluate separate-property claims and determine how property should be characterized.
- Business Valuation in Divorce. Working with valuation experts, Lindsey represents business owners and non-owner spouses when a closely held business or professional practice is part of the marital estate.
- Child Custody. Lindsey helps parents resolve conservatorship and possession disputes, including cases involving demanding careers, complicated parenting arrangements and concerns about children’s well-being.
- Mental Health and Addiction in Divorce. She represents clients in sensitive cases involving substance abuse, mental health concerns and questions about parenting and child safety.
- High-Conflict Divorce. Drawing on her prosecution and litigation background, Lindsey develops strategies for contentious cases involving domestic violence, disputed assets and difficult family dynamics.
Representative Matters
- Secured Equal Custody and Financial Protections for Business Owner Facing Informal Marriage Allegations: Obtained a 50/50 custody ruling for a successful business owner and father, while defeating allegations of informal marriage that threatened his separate estate.
- Achieved Favorable Custody and Property Outcome for Physician Facing Narcissistic Spouse: Represented a high-earning female physician in a contentious custody and property dispute against her former spouse with narcissistic tendencies. Despite aggressive litigation tactics by the opposing side, Lindsey secured a favorable custody arrangement and protected her client’s financial interests.
- Guided Professional Athletes and Their Spouses Through Complex Divorce and Custody Matters: Represented multiple professional athletes and their spouses in high-conflict divorces involving significant financial assets, endorsement income, and sensitive public exposure. Successfully navigated complex custody arrangements and protected clients’ privacy and brand value while achieving favorable outcomes.
- Preserved Multi-Million-Dollar Estate in High-Stakes Divorce Involving Real Estate Holdings: Successfully represented the wife of a prominent real estate investor in a high-net-worth divorce. Secured a favorable valuation of the husband’s extensive investment portfolio and achieved a disproportionate division of property based on evidence of adultery.
- Protected Longstanding Separate Property in Contentious Characterization Battle: Defended a wife’s substantial separate property accounts traced back several decades during a divorce involving a multimillion-dollar Lakewood estate. Overcame extensive challenges to characterization and manipulation by her former spouse to preserve financial independence.
Recognition and Credentials
Lindsey has been selected a Best Lawyers in Dallas by D Magazine every year since 2021, a recognition of her reputation for excellence in the Dallas legal community. She has also been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America in Family Law every year since 2024, following her selection to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in 2021 and 2022. She was selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list in 2024, 2025 and 2026, following several years as a Rising Star. Doyle’s Guide recognized her among the leading family, matrimonial and divorce lawyers in Dallas/Fort Worth in 2026.
Lindsey is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the International Academy of Family Lawyers. She serves on the State Bar of Texas Pattern Jury Charges Committee and the Texas Family Law Foundation’s Bill Review Committee, was selected to the 2021–2022 LeadershipSBOT class, and is a Credentialed Mediator through the University of Texas School of Law.
A frequent author and speaker, Lindsey contributes to continuing legal education on complex property, custody, family violence and litigation. She serves on the planning committee for the 2026 Marriage Dissolution Institute, presented at the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers’ 2025 National Family Law Conference and guest lectures at SMU Dedman School of Law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do Successful Women Choose Lindsey Obenhaus for Their Divorce?
Lindsey understands the financial and parenting challenges facing successful women, including those who are their family’s primary earners and those married to high-earning professionals. She combines experience in complex property division and contested custody with a hands-on approach to preparing clients for important decisions. Her goal is to help clients understand their options, protect their interests and move forward with confidence.
How Does Lindsey Handle Divorces Involving Complex Finances or Hidden Assets?
Lindsey works with forensic accountants and valuation experts when necessary to identify, trace and value marital assets. Her experience includes closely held businesses, executive compensation, investments and disputed separate-property claims. She helps clients understand the financial implications of proposed settlements and prepares complex property disputes for litigation when necessary.
Can Lindsey Help Working Mothers Navigate Child Custody?
Yes. Lindsey understands the challenges of balancing a demanding career with parenting responsibilities. She helps working parents secure their involvement in their children’s lives, address contested custody issues and develop parenting arrangements that reflect their family’s circumstances and their children’s needs.
What Is Lindsey’s Experience With High-Conflict Custody Cases?
As a former Dallas County family violence prosecutor, Lindsey has substantial courtroom experience involving domestic violence and protective orders. She represents parents in contested custody cases involving abuse, addiction, mental health concerns and child safety.
What Can Clients Expect When Working With Lindsey?
Lindsey likes to have a strong working relationship with her clients. She emphasizes thorough preparation, personal attention and candid advice. She takes time to understand her clients’ priorities and uses detailed planning meetings to help them evaluate their options and prepare for the decisions ahead. She considers the financial and personal costs of litigation while remaining prepared to advocate for her clients in court.
What Does It Cost to Work With Lindsey?
Goranson Bain Ausley uses a retainer and hourly billing model. Retainer amounts depend on the complexity of the case and anticipated scope of representation. Prospective clients receive transparent information about the firm’s fee structure during their initial consultation.
Client Reviews
Beyond the Practice
A Dallas native, Lindsey graduated magna cum laude with high honors from Vanderbilt University and earned her law degree from SMU Dedman School of Law. She is a Dallas native, attending the Hockaday School growing up. She is a busy mother of two boys, an avid runner who has completed numerous half and full marathons, and an avid reader when she gets to relax.
Services
Services
- Divorce
- Mental Health and Addiction in Divorce
- Child Custody
- Child Support
- High Net Worth Divorce
- Property Division
- Complex Property Division
- Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
- Parenting Schedules
- Visitation Rights
- LGBT Parenting Rights
- Divorce Mediation
- Dividing the Marital Home
- Characterization of Separate and Community Property
- Divorce for Business Owners
- Business Valuation in Divorce
- Becoming a Foster Parent
- Grandparent Visitation and Custody Rights
- Divorce for Women
- Alimony & Spousal Support Maintenance
- Divorce for Men
- Paternity
- Adoption
- Cohabitation Agreements
- LGBT Divorce
- Uncontested Divorce
- Contested Divorce
- Litigation
- Negotiated Divorce
- High-Conflict Divorce
- Appealing a Divorce Decree or Judgment
- Pre-Divorce Guidance
- Modification and Enforcement
Honors & Awards
Honors & Awards
- Doyle’s Guide Leading Family, Matrimonial & Divorce Lawyers – Dallas/Fort Worth, Leading Attorney, 2026
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America © in the field of Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2024 – 2027
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America © in the field of Family Law Mediation, Best Lawyers, 2027
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list, Thomson Reuters, 2024 & 2025
- Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch © in the field of Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2021 & 2022
- Selected to the Texas Rising Star list, Thomson Reuters, 2022 – 2024
- Best Lawyers Under 40, D Magazine, 2021, 2022, 2023, & 2024
Articles
Articles
- What Does Divorce Look Like When She’s the Breadwinner? September 10, 2026
- Inventory and Appraisement in a Texas Divorce: What It Is and How to Complete It June 1, 2026
- Hidden Assets in Divorce and How Forensic Accountants Find Them April 27, 2026
- Co-Parenting Connected: Simplifying Communication November 19, 2025
- Divorce Mediator vs. Attorney: Which Do You Need? July 10, 2025
- Signs of a Toxic Marriage and How to Get Out February 20, 2025
- Emotional Affairs and Divorce August 6, 2024
- Female Divorce Lawyers in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area July 11, 2024
- When Worlds Collide: Immigration Law Issues Within a Family Law Practice July 11, 2024
- Alcohol and Child Custody: Protecting Your Child’s Safety With an Alcoholic Co-Parent May 30, 2024
- Navigating Divorce as a Working Mom July 17, 2023
- Modifying your Texas Divorce Decree is Not a Do-it-Yourself Project April 19, 2023
- 5 Essential Tips for Working Moms & Divorce April 5, 2023
- How to Split Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units in Divorce March 3, 2023
- What Happens When Co-parents Disagree on the COVID Vaccine in Texas? August 17, 2021
- Job Loss & Child Support During Coronavirus April 1, 2020
- How Domestic Violence Impacts Family Law Cases September 30, 2019
- Tips for Financial Wellness in Divorce July 31, 2018
Publications & Speeches
Publications & Speeches
- Planning Committee, 2026 Marriage Dissolution Institute “Building Better Outcomes: Neurodivergence & Divorce”
- “Client Preparation & Setting Expectations” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers National Family Law Conference, 2025
- Guest Speaker at the SMU Dedman School of Law 2023, 2024, 2025 (Family Law class)
- “AI for Family Lawyers,” The Melinda Eitzen Podcast, 2024
- “Professional Women & Divorce” the Holly Draper Podcast, 2023
- Presenter in Mock Trial, February 2023 Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists Trial Institute (Angelina Jolie vs. Brad Pitt Divorce)
- Author & Presenter, “Community Property Pitfalls for Estate Planning and Probate Attorneys” 2023 DBA Probate Section Bench Bar
- Author, “When Worlds Collide – Family Law & Immigration Law,” October 2022 DBA Headnotes
- Author, “Protective Orders,” Advanced Family Law Conference, August 2021
- Moderator, “Assisting Legal Aid (or other Non-Profits) during the Pandemic with Domestic Violence on the Rise,“ American Bar Association webinar, July, 2021
- Presenter, “Dragnet: Alcohol & Drug Testing & Devices that Actually Work” Family Law Essentials- Giving Back to Your Community, 2021
- Guest on the “#Lawyered” Podcast, “Balancing Motherhood and Lawyering,” May, 2021
- Author, “Covid-19 and Family Law: What Every Practitioner Needs to Know.” Texas Bar Journal, May 2019
- Author and Presenter, “Taking the Board Certification Exam,” Advanced Family Law Conference, August 2020
- Author and Presenter, “Overlapping Issues in Criminal Law and Family Law” – 2019 DBA Criminal Law Section, Dallas
- Presenter, “Drafting Emergency Affidavits” – 2018 Dallas Association of Paralegals, Dallas
- Presenter, “Family Law for Domestic Violence Advocates” – 2016 Latinos Against Domestic Violence Annual Conference, Dallas
- Author, “Evidence Tools in Family Violence Cases” – October 2015 DBA Headnotes, Dallas
Videos & Podcasts
Videos
- How Does Abuse Affect Divorce?
- How Does Adultery Affect Divorce?
- Navigating the Unique Effects of Divorce on Women
- What Is a Standard Possession Schedule?
- 10 Tips on How to Prepare for Your Virtual Hearing
- Does a Parent Have to Pay Child Support if He or She Loses Their Job During this Crisis?
- Will Summer Possession Still Take Place?
- How Do I Manage “Distance Learning” Between Two Homes with My Ex?
- How Co-parenting is Affected if a Parent is Potentially Exposed to COVID-19?
- What Have the Courts Done in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic?
- How Child Support Payment is Determined During Divorce
Professional Associations
Professional Associations
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Fellow
- American Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member
- Annette Stewart American Inn of Court
- Member
- Collaborative Divorce Texas,
- Past Member
- Basic Training, 2018
- Advanced Training, 2018
- College of the State Bar of Texas
- Member
- D CEO Magazine Emerging Women’s Leadership Network
- Member
- Dallas Area Young Lawyers Leadership Class
- Member, 2017
- Dallas Bar Association
- Women Empowered to Lead (WE LEAD), 2020
- Dallas Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member
- Dallas Bar Association, Collaborative Law Section
- Member
- Secretary, 2019
- Hockaday School for Girls
- Alumnae
- Alumnae Legal Society, Chair
- International Academy of Family Lawyers
- Fellow
- Jonathan’s Place
- Board of Directors
- Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists
- Member
- Texas Bar Association
- Member
- Family Law Section
- Pattern Jury Charge Committee
- Selected to 2021-2022 LeadershipSBOT Class
- Texas Family Law Foundation
- Member
- Bill Review Committee
- Texas Young Lawyers Association
- Member
- Genesis Women’s Shelter Young Leaders
- Member
Education
Education
- Southern Methodist University School of Law, 2011
- J.D., Law
- Vanderbilt University College of Arts and Sciences, 2008
- B.A.
- Magna Cum Laude with High Honors in History, Minor in Philosophy
Bar Admissions
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 2012
- Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas and the Supreme Court of the United States

