Moving Forward, With Integrity and Respect
I excel at finding creative and respectful solutions to family law matters, including property and child-related issues. Understanding that each family is unique and has different end goals, I use “collaborative law” as a critical foundation to help clients put settlement at the forefront, negotiate more openly and truly focus on what is best for their family. This results in them making smart long-term decisions, including effective co-parenting plans, customized possession schedules and creative property settlements.
Here’s how:
- Collaborate with clients to help them make holistically wise decisions for their families.
- Counsel clients on the importance of being mindful of their behavior and actions towards each other, so they can be healthy co-parents and achieve long-lasting and productive results.
- Bring a sense of calm and level-headedness to very difficult and sensitive situations, whether the matter is complex and contentious or simple and agreed.
- Guide clients toward an amicable and reasonable solution in a respectful manner through thorough preparation and sound advice.
Kelly is a family lawyer in Austin, Texas for Goranson Bain Ausley.
Professional Credentials
Kelly is active with the Texas Family Law Foundation, the Family Law Section of the Austin Bar Association, and the Volunteer Legal Services. With GoransonBain Ausley since 2006, she was named a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2009 – 2012, 2018 and 2019. As a native Texan raised in Austin, Kelly attended undergrad at Texas A&M University and received her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law.
Interests
When not helping clients navigate family law issues, Kelly enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, hiking, and spending time with her husband and son in Austin.
Featured Video
Services
- Divorce
- Collaborative Divorce
- Negotiated Divorce
- Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
- Cohabitation Agreement
- Child Custody
- Parenting Schedules
- LGBTQ+ Parenting Rights
- Visitation Rights
- Grandparent Visitation and Custody Rights in Texas
- Child Support
- Modifying Child Support
- Divorce for Women
- Divorce for Men
- Mental Health and Addiction in Divorce
- Dividing the Marital Home
- Characterization of Separate and Community Property
- Business Valuation in Divorce
- Adoption
- Becoming a Foster Parent
- Paternity
- Complex Property
- Alimony & Spousal Support Maintenance
- Property Division
- High Net Worth Divorce
- Contested Divorce
- Uncontested Divorce
- LGBTQ+ Divorce
- Flat-Fee Divorce
- Litigated Divorce
- High Conflict Divorce
- Appealing a Divorce Decree or Judgment
- Divorce for Business Owners
- Pre-Divorce Guidance
- Modification and Enforcement
- Gray Divorce
Honors & Awards
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law, Woodward and White Press, 2021-2023
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Woodward and White Press, 2021 -2023
- Austin’s Top Attorneys, Austin Monthly Magazine, 2020 & 2022
- Selected to the Texas Rising Stars list, Thomson Reuters, 2009 – 2012, 2018, 2019
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list, Thomson Reuters, 2021 & 2022
Articles
Articles
- Minimizing the Negative Impact of Divorce on Children May 3, 2022
- How to Navigate Co-Parenting During Texas Covid-19 Reopening Pause July 27, 2020
- How to Successfully Navigate Co-Parenting During Coronavirus Webinar April 22, 2020
- Is a Flat Fee Divorce Right for You? February 28, 2020
- Co-parenting Tips for Summer Fun May 17, 2018
- The Effects of Divorce on Children of All Ages August 31, 2016
Published Works
- “Financially Surviving a Divorce“, Money Circle ATX, 2020
- “Regaining Financial Control Post-Divorce“, Money Circle ATX, 2020
- “Child Support Agreements.” Author, Advanced Family Law Seminar 2013, State Bar of Texas, 2013
- “Traveling Light: Collaborative Law Without Paralegals or Assistants”, Co-Author, Collaborative Law Spring Conference 2008, State Bar of Texas, 2008
- “Child Support (What Do Judges Do in Various Counties) Above & Below the Guidelines, the High Income Earners (Death of the Obligor),” Co-Author, Marriage Dissolution Institute, State Bar of Texas and Family Law Section, 2008
- “Closing the File” Co-Author, Summer School, State Bar College, State Bar of Texas, 2008
Videos & Podcasts
Videos
Presentations
- “Professionalism for the Paralegal.” Texas Advanced Paralegal Seminar 2014, The Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas, 2014
- “Volunteer Legal Services: Judge and Attorney Panel.” Austin Bar Association Family Law Section CLE, 2014
- “QDROs” Family Law Essentials, Family Law Council, Marble Falls, Texas, 2009
- “Spousal Maintenance and Alimony” Family Law Essentials, Family Law Council, Seguin, Texas, 2008
- “Collaborative Law” Alternative Dispute Resolution Course, University of Texas Law School, Professor Cynthia Bryant, 2008
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member
- Austin Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member
- Collaborative Divorce Texas (f/k/a Collaborative Law Institute of Texas)
- Member
- College of the State Bar of Texas, Pro Bono
- Member, 2009 – present
- State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, Collaborative Law Section
- Member
- Texas Family Law Foundation
- Member
- Texas Advocacy Project previously Women’s Advocacy Project
- Volunteer: lawyer, 2006 – present
- Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas
- Volunteer: mentor and lawyer, 2006 – present
Education
- University of Texas School of Law, 2005
- J.D., Law
- Texas A & M University, 2002
- B.A., Political Science
- magna cum laude
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 2006