Austin Family Law Attorneys

Get Help With Your Divorce in Austin, Texas

When you’re in need of an Austin divorce lawyer, Goranson Bain Ausley offers experienced and compassionate representation to help you navigate the entire divorce process. From Allendale to Zilker, Barton Creek to Mueller, and all of the areas in between, our local Austin family lawyers are committed to providing clarity about what comes next and confidence that your future interests are more secure.

Emily J. Ogden

Thomas L. Ausley

Kristen A. Algert

Rob Frazer

P. Lindley Bain

Kelly Ausley-Flores

Carlos Gracia

Kristiana Butler

Angelica Rolong Cormier

Kelly Caperton Fischer

Eric Robertson

Meet Our Team

All Austin Lawyers

Divorce Mediation in Austin

Divorce mediation can be an advantageous alternative to a traditional courtroom divorce. For many divorcing clients, the process is less expensive and helps keep conflict low, paving the way for mutually beneficial outcomes. The attorneys at the Goranson Bain Ausley Austin family law office have advanced training and certification in mediation and decades of experience handling these matters. Our divorce mediation services, include individual representation, acting as mediators for other family law attorneys, and a unique self-represented mediation option for couples who choose not to engage separate attorneys.

Collaborative Divorce Attorneys in Austin

The legal team at Goranson Bain Ausley excels in Collaborative Divorce, with three partners recognized as Lawyer of the Year for Collaborative Law in Austin by Best Lawyers in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2023. GBA Collaborative Divorce lawyers are dedicated to helping families achieve constructive outcomes without the need to go to court. From complicated property division to challenging child custody matters, our team of family law professionals in Austin has the experience necessary to resolve complex disputes while minimizing tension. We are committed to equipping you with the knowledge required to make the right decisions for your well-being, your family, and your future.

Austin Child Custody and Support Lawyers

At the Goranson Bain Ausley Austin family law office, we understand that every parent’s primary concern is their children. That’s why we prioritize the well-being of your kids and always put their interests first in child custody and child support cases. We work alongside you to devise legal strategies tailored to your family’s unique circumstances and financial needs so you can rest assured your children receive the care and attention they need. During these tough times, our Austin attorneys specializing in child custody, child support, and visitation rights are here to provide guidance and support, to help protect both your rights and your children’s future.

Austin Attorneys Knowledgeable in Property Division

Property division during a divorce can be a complicated matter, but an experienced divorce attorney in Austin from Goranson Bain Ausley can help. From business valuations to navigating Texas marital property issues, our legal team is here to provide the legal acumen and guidance you need during your divorce. Contact one of our property division attorneys in Austin today to ensure that your assets are protected tomorrow.

Alimony and Spousal Support in Austin

Both partners deserve financial stability in their lives after a divorce, and that’s exactly what alimony and spousal support are designed to provide. When working with a Goranson Bain Ausley divorce lawyer, Austin clients will be guided through the legal intricacies of the alimony required for the case, including the calculation of the amount and duration of support. With a commitment to informed decision-making and favorable outcomes, our Austin family law attorneys can help you lay the foundation for financial stability post-divorce.

Austin Attorneys Experienced in Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

The family law attorneys at Goranson Bain Ausley are dedicated to serving the Austin community and possess a wealth of experience handling both prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. We recognize the unique challenges that each of our clients may encounter and address each case with a combination of deep legal understanding and empathetic guidance. Our primary aim is to safeguard your relationship and assets thoroughly, offering you a sense of security for the future. Whether you are starting a new relationship or building upon an existing one, our family law lawyers in Austin are available to assist you.

LGBT Family Law in Austin

Same-sex couples often deal with an additional layer of complexity whenever they encounter a family law issue. The Austin attorneys at Goranson Bain Ausley are well-equipped to help support LGBT families. We have experience with securing same-sex parenting rights, as well as dissolving LGBT marriages through divorce, including ensuring a fair division of assets.

About Goranson Bain Ausley Austin Family Law Office

Is Texas a No-Fault State?

Texas is a “no-fault” divorce state, which means that you do not have to prove fault in your marriage for the court to grant a divorce. The petition will simply state that the marriage has become insupportable and that no possibility for reconciliation exists.

Texas law also provides for fault-based divorces, such as adultery or cruelty. If you believe there is a reason for you to pursue a fault-based divorce, consult an Austin divorce attorney as soon as possible to discuss the pros and cons of filing for a fault-based divorce.

Beginning the Divorce Process in Austin

The divorce process starts with filing a document entitled “Original Petition for Divorce” with the court in the county where one of you resides (Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, or any of the other surrounding Austin area counties). The party who files the divorce is called the petitioner, and the other party is the respondent unless the parties choose to file together as joint petitioners.

To be eligible to file a divorce in Texas, either party must have lived in the state for at least six months and have been a resident of the county in which the suit is filed for the preceding 90-day period.

If children were born or adopted during the marriage, a “Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship” is included in the Original Petition for Divorce.

How Can An Austin Divorce Attorney Help With What Happens Next?

After filing the Original Petition for Divorce, the petitioner must serve the respondent. A third party, such as a law enforcement officer, can also serve the respondent. Once the respondent is served, they have the opportunity to file a response. If the respondent agrees with the petitioner’s demands, then the parties can draft an agreed or uncontested divorce agreement.

In an agreed or uncontested divorce, both parties agree on how to handle the divorce and draft an agreement detailing the terms, which they both sign. A judge then approves the agreement and finalizes the divorce.

If the parties disagree on how to handle the divorce, they can try to use an out-of-court method, including negotiated divorce, collaborative divorce, or mediation, to resolve their differences.

When a negotiated, collaborative, or mediated divorce is not possible, the only option is to pursue the divorce in court using litigation. In a contested divorce, a judge will listen to each party’s case and determine an equitable arrangement on their behalf, drafting a divorce decree they then sign and finalize.

The Bottom Line

Divorce is one of life’s most stressful, emotional events. From confusion and anxiety to hurt, anger, and even a desire for revenge, emotions can run high, and making thoughtful, sound decisions during such a tumultuous time can be challenging. The experienced divorce attorneys in the Austin office at Goranson Bain Ausley can help you decide what’s truly important and make the right decisions that will benefit you and your family’s immediate and long-term well-being.