Creative Problem-Solving for Complex Family Law and Divorce Cases
Kelly Ausley-Flores is a top divorce lawyer in the Austin office of Goranson Bain Ausley. With over 25 years of experience as a family lawyer, Kelly specializes primarily in complex family law matters and high-net-worth divorce cases. She excels in cases involving complicated property divisions, family businesses, spousal maintenance, customized possession schedules, and child custody issues. Recognizing the uniqueness of each family situation, she approaches every case as an opportunity for creative problem-solving. Kelly is committed to helping individuals regain their voice and confidence so they can successfully move forward with their lives after divorce.
Kelly is a well-known and respected family law attorney in Austin who provides clients with a wide range of options. She is an experienced litigator who can handle the most challenging cases, including those involving contested custody and people with a personality disorder. She is also trained in Collaborative Divorce and family law mediation to help families who want to protect their family and finances from the stress and conflict of divorce. She uses her background and knowledge to deliver the full continuum of process options and help clients choose an approach that will best accomplish their goals and reduce unnecessary legal expenses. Kelly finds genuine joy in resolving cases, and she offers the human touch to make every client feel that they are important and their issues matter.
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Kelly was named Best Lawyer of the Year in Austin for Family Law in 2017, 2014, and 2012 and for Collaborative Law in 2017 by The Best Lawyers in America, and she has been named in Best Lawyers in America for family law since 2012. She is Board-Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. Kelly is a volunteer and mentor for Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas. She is a frequent speaker at family law courses and seminars and the author of numerous family law articles.
Services
Services
- Family Partner Violence And Divorce
- Divorce
- Collaborative Divorce
- Divorce Mediation
- High Net Worth Divorce
- Property Division
- Complex Property
- Dividing the Marital Home
- Divorce for Men
- Divorce for Women
- Mental Health and Addiction in Divorce
- Parenting Schedules
- Visitation Rights
- LGBT Parenting Rights
- Characterization of Separate and Community Property
- Divorce for Business Owners
- Business Valuation in Divorce
- High-Conflict Divorce
- LGBT Divorce
- Contested Divorce
- Uncontested Divorce
- Litigated Divorce
- Negotiated Divorce
- Appealing a Divorce Decree or Judgment
- Cohabitation Agreement
- Child Custody
- Grandparent Visitation and Custody Rights in Texas
- Child Support
- Paternity
- Adoption
- Becoming a Foster Parent
- Alimony & Spousal Support Maintenance
- Pre-Divorce Guidance
- Modification and Enforcement
- Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
- Flat-Fee Divorce
Honors & Awards
Honors & Awards
- Austin’s Top Attorneys, Austin Monthly Magazine, 2020 & 2023
- Named to the 500 Leading Family Lawyers List, LawDragon, 2024
- Judge Suzanne Covington Individual Pro Bono Service Award, +100 Hours, Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas, 2018
- Pro Bono Award, Travis County Women Lawyer’s Association, 2018
- Named the Best Lawyers© Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Austin, Best Lawyers, 2017
- Named the Best Lawyers© Collaborative Law: Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Austin, Best Lawyers, 2014
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2012 – 2025
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2012 – 2025
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law Mediation, Best Lawyers, 2024 & 2025
- Named the Best Lawyers© Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Austin, Best Lawyers, 2012
- Selected to the Texas Rising Stars list, Thomson Reuters, 2004 – 2005
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list, Thomson Reuters, 2010 – 2024
- Selected to the “Top 100: Texas Super Lawyers”, Thomson Reuters, 2022 – 2024
- Selected to the “Top 50: Central/ West Texas Super Lawyers”, Thomson Reuters, 2019-2024
- Selected to the “Top 50: Women Texas Super Lawyers”, Thomson Reuters, 2019-2024
- Pro Bono Award, Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas, 1998 and 1999
Published Works
Published Works
- “Proving Significant Impairment,” Advanced Family Law Seminar, State Bar of Texas, August 1-4, 2016.
- “Closing the File 101 – The Long Good-Bye,” Marriage Dissolution 101 Course, State Bar of Texas, April 8, 2015
- “Closing the File 101,” Marriage Dissolution 101 Course, State Bar of Texas, April 23, 2014
- “We’re Done! (Or are we?) – Closing the File,” Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, State Bar of Texas, December 5-6, 2013
- “Putting Agreements on Paper,” Collaborative Law Course 2010, State Bar of Texas and Collaborative Law Institute of Texas, March 4-5, 2010
- “Closing the File,” Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, State Bar of Texas, December 9-10, 2010
- “Traveling Light: Collaborative Law Without Paralegals or Assistants,” Collaborative Law Spring Conference 2008, State Bar of Texas, February 28-29, 2008
- “Collaborative Law,” Alternative Dispute Resolution Course, University of Texas Law School, Professor Cynthia Bryant, March 6th, 2008
- “Child Support (What Do Judges Do in Various Counties) Above & Below the Guidelines, the High Income Earners (Death of the Obligor),” Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas and Family Law Section, April 17-18, 2008
- “Closing the File,” Summer School – State Bar College, State Bar of Texas, July 17-19, 2008
- “Closing Documents Other than QDROs,” Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, State Bar of Texas, December 4-5, 2008
- “Effective Use of ADR in Family Law Cases,” 2005 Poverty Law Conference, Texas Lawyers Care, March 30 – April 1, 2005
- “Closing the Friendly and Unfriendly File,” Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, State Bar of Texas, December 8-9, 2005
- “Post Trial Basics & Closing the File,” Advanced Family Law Seminar – Boot Camp, State Bar of Texas, August 8, 2004
- “Closing the File,” Advanced Family Law Seminar – Boot Camp, State Bar of Texas, August 17, 2003
Presentations
Presentations
- “Drafting Enforceable Orders”, presenter, Advanced Family Law 101, State Bar of Texas, 2019
- “Property Law Update and Legislative ‘Kid’ Update”, State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division, TAPS Seminar, 2019
- “Case Law Update: Property”, Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas, 2019
- “Breaking the Log Jam in Your Case”, Panelist, Collaborative Law: Avoid Breaking Bad When Breaking Up, State Bar of Texas, 2019
- “Navigating Your Family Law Matter When Someone with a Personality Disorder is Involved“, Advanced Family Law Seminar, State Bar of Texas, 2018
- “Parental Alienation – Analyzing/Reassessing the Problems and Solutions,” Advanced Family Law Seminar, State Bar of Texas, August 7-10, 2017
- “Know When to Hold ‘Em, Know When to Fold ‘Em, Accepting and Firing Clients,” The Austin Bar Family Law Section Spring CLE, May 13, 2016
- “Know When to Hold Them, Know When to Fold Them: Settlement Agreements, Rule 11 Agreements, Informal Settlement Agreements and Mediated Settlement Agreements,” Author: Jimmy Vaught, Marriage Dissolution, State Bar of Texas, April 19, 2013
- “Characterization & Tracing: An Overview,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 4, 2011
- “The Paradigm Shift,” Nuts & Bolts of the Collaborative Process Course, State Bar of Texas and the Collaborative Law Institute of Texas, March 3, 2010
- “Collaborative Law,” Travis County Family Law Section Luncheon, January 6, 2010
- “Changes in SAPCR Issues and Trends for the Future,” 35th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 3-6, 2009
- “Trends in Family Law,” 2009 Statewide Assistant Attorneys General Conference, Austin, Texas, July 10, 2009
- “How to Study for and Pass the Board Certification Exam,” Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, August 10, 2005
- “Closing Out Your File,” Williamson County Family Law Seminar, October 29, 2004
- “Post Trial Basics & Closing a File,” State Bar Convention – Boot Camp, June 25, 2004
- “Creative Discovery,” Family Law Essentials, Family Law Council, Nacogdoches, Texas, June 4, 2004
Professional Associations
Professional Associations
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Fellow
- Basic Mediation Training Instructor, 2019
- Austin Bar Association, Family Law
- Member
- Collaborative Divorce Texas (f/k/a Collaborative Law Institute of Texas)
- Member
- College of the State Bar of Texas
- Member
- College of the State Bar of Texas, Pro Bono
- Member, 1999 – present
- Family Law Council
- Member, 2012 – 2017
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
- Member
- State Bar of Texas, Family Law
- Member
- Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists
- Member
- Texas Bar Foundation
- Member, 2004 – present
Education
Education
- Texas Tech School of Law, 1995
- J.D., cum laude
- Texas Tech University, 1987
- B.B.A. cum laude
Bar Admissions
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 1995
Certifications
Certifications
Board Certified in Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2000
