Comal County Lawyers

Family Lawyers in Comal County Protecting Your Legacy

When you face a family law or estate planning concern, assistance from a dedicated and experienced attorney could not be more critical. At South TX Family Law, we offer attentive, custom legal support for family law and estate planning, providing compassionate, personalized legal services to the communities in Comal County, including New Braunfels. We have been honored to serve Comal County communities for over 30 years.

How Can Our Law Firm Help You?

At South TX Family Law, we understand the weight family legal matters can carry, and we focus on resolving even the most complex legal issues with compassionate, supportive counsel. With our deep roots in Comal County and a heartfelt connection to our Hill Country community, we provide compassionate, honest, trusted legal counsel when you need it most.

Divorce

Divorce is never easy, even when both parties agree it is the right decision. Beyond the legal paperwork lies a maze of emotional, financial, and practical considerations. We support our clients at every stage of the process. Our Comal County lawyers are experienced and knowledgeable regarding state laws regarding the division of marital property, spousal support, child custody and support, parenting plans, and all other family law matters.

We take the time to understand your goals and wishes, allowing us to advocate for a resolution that reflects your needs and preserves your dignity. Our goal is to help you start your next chapter with confidence.

Child Custody and Support

Few issues in family law are as delicate or as important as those involving children. We fiercely advocate for your children’s best interests while protecting your parental rights in custody and support matters. Whether you’re seeking sole or joint custody, modifying an existing arrangement, or addressing child support concerns, we approach every case with sensitivity and a commitment to personalized legal service. Your children’s well-being and ensuring your peace of mind drive us.

Legal Separation

Couples may need time and space to reevaluate their future without filing for divorce. Legal separation is not legally recognized in Comal County, Texas, but an informal agreement can be drafted to manage issues regarding financial support and child custody.

We help you understand your options and create an agreement that helps safeguard your financial health, child custody, and visitation while promoting mutual respect during the transition.

Adoption

Adoption is a beautiful way to grow your family, but the process can be complex, time-consuming, and frustrating for prospective parents. We guide families through the adoption process with compassion and personalized service, whether you’re adopting a stepchild, a young relative, in a private adoption, or through an agency.

Grandparent Access

We advocate for grandparents who are seeking visitation or custody rights, especially when a family changes after a divorce or due to the death of a parent. In every case, we work to preserve the bonds with your grandchildren that are so critical for a child’s well-being.

Paternity Actions

Establishing paternity is essential for securing parental rights, determining custody, and ensuring children receive the financial support they need to flourish. Whether you are a father seeking parental rights or a mother pursuing child support, our law firm’s Comal County family lawyers provide supportive, attentive guidance in these vital matters.

Mediation and Settlements

Not every family law matter should land in court. We believe in the power of peaceful resolution when possible and are strong proponents of mediation and negotiated settlements. These collaborative approaches can reduce stress, save money, and help establish respectful relationships when a marriage ends. We offer legal guidance to protect your rights and interests in the mediation process.

Modifications and Enforcement

Life can change. Whether it’s a new job, a move, or changes in a child’s needs, the legal issues surrounding custody, visitation, and support may require modification. Our family law attorneys help you modify a court order to reflect significant changes in your circumstances.

If the other parent has failed to adhere to an existing court order, we can pursue enforcement action to ensure your rights and your child’s needs are respected. Modifications and enforcement actions can be extremely important to the well-being of children. You can trust our firm to offer the focus and attentive service you deserve.

Estate Planning

In addition to our family law services, we help Hill Country families protect what matters most through thoughtfully and professionally crafted estate plans. From wills and trusts to powers of attorney and guardianship designations, we ensure that your wishes are honored, and your loved ones are protected. Estate planning goes hand-in-hand with building a strong future for your family.

At South TX Family Law, estate planning is not just about protecting your assets from excessive taxation but about protecting your loved ones. A well-crafted estate plan offers peace of mind today and security tomorrow. Our team provides comprehensive services to individuals and families across Comal County.

A will is your voice and outlines your wishes regarding distributing your hard-earned assets. Various types of trusts can be established in a custom estate plan. Our estate planning lawyers in Comal County can help you with these issues in simple and advanced, high-net-worth plans that reflect your personal goals. Our will and trust services include:

Drafting personalized wills to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes and guardians are appointed for minor children
Creating revocable living trusts to help your estate avoid probate and preserve your family’s privacy
Establishing special needs trusts to provide long-term financial support for loved ones with disabilities without affecting their benefits
Structuring irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs) to help reduce estate taxes and protect insurance proceeds
Designing asset protection trusts to shield wealth from future creditors or lawsuits
Setting up charitable trusts to support causes you care about while receiving potential tax benefits.
Creating testamentary trusts, which are built into your will and activated upon your death

Reviewing and updating existing estate plans to reflect life changes such as marriage, divorce, relocation, or the birth of a child

Should You Have a Will or Trust?

Without a will or trust, Texas intestacy laws will determine who will inherit your estate, which may not align with your intentions or your family’s unique needs. Establishing a suitable estate plan that includes a custom will and the appropriate trusts can ensure your wishes are honored while providing asset protection during your lifetime.

Probate Process

Probate is the court-supervised process of distributing a person’s estate after death. With the right legal team guiding you, you can trust in the care, compassion, and responsive service we offer. We help clients navigate probate by:

Filing the necessary petitions to begin probate proceedings in Comal County
Assisting executors with gathering and valuing assets, notifying creditors, and paying debts
Resolving a will contest or dispute among heirs or beneficiaries
Ensuring compliance with court deadlines and Texas Estates Code requirements

Can Probate Be Speeded Up?

In Texas, probate can be faster if a will includes specific provisions, such as an independent executor clause that reduces court control over will decisions. We ensure your estate plan minimizes the complexity and cost for your loved ones down the road.

Estate planning includes outlining who will speak for you when you cannot due to illness, injuries, a health condition, or incapacitation. Powers of attorney ensure that an individual you trust has the legal right to act on your behalf if you become ill, injured, or incapacitated. We help you create:

Durable financial powers of attorney to allow someone to manage your bank accounts, pay bills, and handle your financial and property matters
Medical powers of attorney to designate a healthcare agent who can make decisions aligned with your values
HIPAA releases so your agents can access the medical information they need to make informed choices
Directive to Physicians (Living Will) that expresses your wishes about life-sustaining treatment

Do I Need Powers of Attorney?

Without these documents, your loved ones need to go to court to get legal permission to help you, and various family members may disagree about what they believe you would want. Without a power of attorney, your loved ones could waste precious time in a medical emergency or face contention among your loved ones that can be avoided.

Powers of attorney are essential legal tools that grant a trusted individual the authority to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. There are different types of powers of attorney, including durable financial powers of attorney, which allow someone to manage your financial affairs, pay bills, and handle property matters. Additionally, medical powers of attorney appoint a healthcare agent to make medical decisions aligned with your wishes when you are incapacitated.

Having these documents in place ensures that your affairs are handled smoothly and according to your preferences, preventing unnecessary delays and conflicts. They provide peace of mind knowing that someone you trust can act promptly and effectively on your behalf during critical times. Without powers of attorney, your family may face legal hurdles and emotional stress, which can complicate already difficult situations.

Creating powers of attorney is a proactive step in estate planning and personal preparedness. Our law firm can guide you through the process, helping you choose the right agents and draft documents that fully reflect your intentions. This preparation is a vital part of protecting your interests and supporting your loved ones when it matters most.

Why Choose Our Comal County Family Law?

Our South Texas lawyers provide personalized, compassionate legal counsel when you need it most. We are honored to be trusted for our work serving the residents of Comal County with focused, individualized services:

Extensive experience: With over 30 years of legal practice, Laura D. Heard, our leading attorney, brings knowledge and perspective to each case.

Personalized attention: We understand that every client’s situation is unique. Our team takes the time to listen and create a unique approach for you. While we have an excellent team on staff at South TX Family Law, we are still small enough to provide one-on-one attention to each of our clients.
Local insight: Our familiarity with Comal County’s legal landscape enables us to navigate the court system effectively and efficiently.
Compassionate Advocacy: We are committed to supporting our clients through challenging times, providing guidance and reassurance at every step. We offer the full spectrum of family law services. From birth to death, adoption to funeral, we are here to take care of your family’s every legal need.

Your Local Comal County TX Law Firm

With over three decades of experience, our firm has built a reputation for carefully guiding clients through complex legal matters. Located conveniently near major highways, we are easily accessible to clients throughout the county. If you’re facing a family law issue or seeking to plan your estate, work with a team that puts you first.

Contact Southern TX Family Law today to schedule a consultation. You’ll be happy you did.

Our attorneys understand that legal challenges can be overwhelming, which is why we prioritize clear communication and personalized service. Whether you need assistance with divorce proceedings, child custody arrangements, or estate planning, our knowledgeable team is here to provide compassionate support and effective legal solutions tailored to your unique situation.

We are committed to protecting your rights and interests at every stage of the legal process. Our firm stays current with Texas laws and local court procedures to ensure you receive the most informed and strategic representation possible.

Serving clients throughout Comal County, including New Braunfels, Spring Branch, Bulverde, and surrounding communities, we strive to be your trusted legal partner for life’s important moments. Reach out today for a free consultation and discover how we can help you protect your family and your future.