Family Law Attorney in Dallas, TX

Divorce for Couples in Dallas, TX

It’s difficult to start thinking of your spouse as an adversary. But when it comes to divorce, you need to protect yourself to make a fresh start. Balekian Hayes will stand in your corner and fight to protect your rights. Our team only handles a few cases to ensure we can provide you with the necessary personal attention. We can help you with every area related to divorce, including legal separation, annulment, pre-and post-nuptial agreements, and domestic violence.

Asset Division

Property division becomes more complicated as couples accrue various assets, especially if both parties share ownership. Assets include business interests, retirement accounts and investments, real estate, artwork, antiques, and family heirlooms. We have experience obtaining fair and accurate valuations and factoring in spousal support to reach an equitable agreement on dividing assets. Our goal is to help you decide what property matters most to you and give you a clear picture of what to expect next.

Same-Sex Family Legal Issues

Our team at Balekian Hayes is also highly experienced with same-sex legal issues, some of which are unique compared to situations confronting couples of the opposite sex. For example, same-sex couples may have to figure out how to divide the property they gathered for years even though their marriage only became legal recently. Child custody, child support, and prenuptial agreements also bring complexities to the forefront. Our attorneys understand these nuances and can help design a proper legal strategy to address them.

Child Custody

The welfare of your children is paramount. Their presence in a marriage makes divorce and family matters exponentially more complicated. Our attorneys are well-versed in child custody orders, visitation, modifications, grandparents’ rights, and related child custody issues. At Balekian Hayes, we’ll always put the best interests of your children at the forefront of our legal recommendations.

Child Support

One of the most challenging issues in a divorce involves setting and enforcing child support payments, which in Texas happens through the Attorney General of Texas. We can explain what the law requires and expects from you regarding child support. Our attorneys can help you with arrearages and potential support modifications, which may be in order if one parent sees their income grow.

Child Protective Services

Child Protective Services (CPS) in Texas helps protect children from abuse and neglect. It does an essential job, but sometimes its decisions are inconsistent or based on misinformation or outright fraud. This area of law requires unique experience that many general family law practitioners don’t have. Our experienced CPS attorneys at Balekian Hayes can help protect your rights.

The Balekian Hayes, PLLC Team

The attorneys at Balekian Hayes take a consultative approach with our clients. We work together toward clearly established goals and focus on transparent, honest communication and understanding. We’ll inform you at every step in a language that makes sense and make ourselves available to answer your questions or concerns.

Founder and Managing Partner Kris Balekian Hayes

Attorney Krista “Kris” Balekian Hayes is double board-certified in family law and child welfare by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has been identified as one of the Best Attorneys in America. She brings vast experience to her family law clients, having also practiced criminal law and served as a civil litigator. Before founding the firm that bears her name, Kris worked in the family violence section of the District Attorney’s office. 

Kris, an accredited mediator in all civil, family, and CPS matters, earned her law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She’s involved in various professional activities in family law, including the following:

• State Bar of Texas Family Law Section, Member.
• Dallas Women Lawyers Association, Member.
• Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section, Board Member.
• Texas Academy of Family Law Specialist, Member.
• Dallas Protection and Permanency Court, Member.

Associate Emory Osborn

Emory Osborn, a Dallas native, joined Balekian Hayes in 2021 after earning her law degree from the Oklahoma City University School of Law. Emory is licensed to practice law in Oklahoma. While working in that state, Emory served as a Future Lawyers for Children member, worked with a local nonprofit on criminal justice reform efforts, and gained experience in criminal law.

Emory is licensed in Texas to practice family law and federal employment law. She earned her undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies, with minors in legal studies, sociology, and human development and family studies from Texas Tech University.

Balekian Hayes: A Dallas Family Law Firm That Cares

We can’t sugarcoat it: Divorce and family law matters are painful experiences. Let us help you figure out the best next steps. You can confidently face the future by thinking ahead and developing a sound plan to protect your rights. The sooner you have a plan of action, the better your chances of taking the correct steps to get the desired outcome and moving on to the next chapter. Contact us online or call us today for a consultation.