Family Law
Is your family facing a major change that will require legal involvement?
Whether your family is facing a devastating scenario like divorce or a joyous occasion like adoption, you need the help of an attorney.
Harris Cook Law - Family Law Division helps families throughout Southlake, Mansfield, and Arlington, TX, in all areas of family law.
Reasons to Hire a Law Firm
Considering Divorce?
Sometimes, dissolving your marriage is the best possible solution for you, your partner, and your children. In Texas, marital property is not divided evenly. Instead, it is divided "fairly and justly." Our team can help you secure the property you deserve and ensure your rights are protected long-term.
Want to Protect Your Children?
If you share children with a former spouse or partner, you need an attorney to help you protect your child's best interests in the future. After reviewing your situation, we will work closely with your family to reach child custody and child support agreements that uphold your child's best interests at all times.
Thinking about Adoption?
Adoption is a lengthy and complex process. By pursuing it on your own, you run the risk of unnecessary delays and future issues. Our firm also assists families who are going through adoption, and our lawyers will work directly with agencies or biological parents to ensure a smooth and lawful process.
Need Help with Your Family Law Case? Schedule a Consultation with Our Law Firm
Family law cases can quickly become very emotional for everyone involved. Because issues concerning families are often highly complex, they require compassionate and dedicated legal representation.
At Harris Cook Law - Family Law Division, we understand what you are going through and will work tirelessly to protect your best interests. David Cook and Donna J. Smiedt are Board Certified® in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and have received extensive training in this area. Additionally, our legal team is trained in collaborative law and mediation to achieve fair, effective, and amicable resolutions outside of the courtroom. To speak to our Arlington, TX, team about your case, contact us online or call our law office:
(817) 572-9900
Our Work Gets 5 Stars
“I went to David to handle my divorce. He took what seemed complicated and certain to drag on, resolving it quickly and cleanly. His staff was a pleasure to work with. I have since referred numerous friends to his firm. highly recommend!”
– Jeff, 5-Star Review
What Is Family Law?
Family law pertains to divorce, spousal support, child custody and support, paternity, and virtually all other legal issues involving families.
Harris Cook Law offers representation to help families in Arlington, TX, and Tarrant County achieve amicable and positive long-term outcomes. Our family law firm can negotiate arrangements that serve your children's best interests as well as your own. In addition, our team can also help draft and finalize prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.
Reasons to Choose Our Family Law Firm To Represent You
Decades in Practice
This is a very specialized area of law, and not all attorneys are qualified to represent families in these types of cases. Over the past several decades, our team has helped many families achieve positive resolutions.
Certification
David Cook and Donna Smiedt some of the only attorneys in Arlington or Tarrant County who are Board Certified Family Law Attorneys - Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Results
Our attorneys make every effort to accomplish our clients' wishes and goals within the parameters of the law. A vast majority of our clients have been very happy with the outcomes of their cases. As a result, our Arlington, TX, law firm has received dozens of five-star reviews online.
“We contacted Harris Cook requesting counseling in regards to a child custody case. David was very compassionate with our current situation but was also very proactive in looking ahead and advising us in a direction that would be best for our family. David was so confident and professional through all of the ups & downs. We knew we were in great hands and we feel so blessed to have achieved the outcome that David and his staff worked so hard for.”
– Michelle, 5-Star Review
A Compassionate Law Office Ready To Handle Your Family Law Needs
Filing for divorce, determining custody, or trying to adopt can be emotionally and mentally taxing. Our dedicated law firm is there for you every step of the way to help relieve the stress these family law cases can involve. Our compassionate team understands the importance of discretion since we are dealing with the personal lives of you and your family. When you choose our law firm, you can be sure you are getting dedicated, compassionate care from every person at our office.
Call our Arlington law office today to speak with a member of our team about your family law case.
(817) 539-6569
"Supportive, Professional,
Ethical and Well-Respected"
Lee Fedornak
2020
If you have to file for a divorce, PLEASE do NOT go into that unchartered legal arena without Donna's guidance. She is the consummate knowledeable divorce professional! If you are crushingly miserable in your daily life with your spouse, & true happiness is beyond attainable, be brave enough to save yourself. If you step into the Divorce ring, you need the very best to help you from a divorce attorney...That would easily be Donna. Her depth of knowledge in Divorce Law, Process & procedure is second to none. In the courtroom I will tell you she has few peers. She will successfully guide you to a resolution you will be happy with...Have you missed the word "Happy & Peace" in you life...Donna will help you find it again. After going through a challenging divorce with Donna representing me, I ended it by considering her not only the best attorney I could have selected, but a friend...now how many people can say that about their attorney? Thank you very much Donna!
View on GoogleValerie Moore
2019
Donna was my attorney during a very difficult divorce. She is very supportive, professional, ethical and well-respected by her clients, the judges and DFW legal community. Her staff is fantastic. In addition to divorces, Donna has provided professional services in other family law issues I have faced as well will preparation. The services she and her staff have provided to me, my husband and children span a time frame of almost 20 years. I would never consider going to any other attorney for any type of family law issues. Her knowledge in family law cannot be found anywhere else and I highly recommend her. Valerie M.
View on GoogleFacing a Family Law Issue? Schedule a Consultation with Our Team
We serve communities throughout the area, including Southlake and Mansfield.
Families throughout Arlington and Tarrant County have looked to Harris Cook Law - Family Law Division for decades. Because David L. Cook and Donna Smiedt are Board Certified Family Law Attorneys – Texas Board of Legal Specialization, they possess knowledge and training in the area of family law that many other attorneys can't offer. To speak to us about your situation, request a consultation at our Arlington, TX, law office. Contact us online or call us:
(817) 572-9900
Do I Really
Need a Lawyer?
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Are you thinking of representing yourself in order to save time and money? It's important to think about how much you have to lose.
Our lawyers are specially versed in family matters, and we can easily identify risks of unfavorable outcomes for you or your family. Don't risk a negative outcome.
Our Lawyers Are Also Trained in Collaborative Law & Mediation
David Cook, John Clark, and our legal team are trained in collaborative law and mediation. With collaborative law, our lawyers make it possible for our clients to achieve fair, effective, and amicable resolutions outside of court. In most cases, collaborative law and mediation results in faster, more cost-effective resolutions, which saves our clients time and money compared to traditional methods of litigation.
A collaborative approach to family law can also keep disputes at a minimum, promote collaboration between parties, and make it easier to maintain a happy relationship free of resentment or hard feelings in the future.
A Law Firm You Can Trust In a Time of Uncertainty
We understand the emotional toll that dealing with family legal issues has on every individual. That is why we take the time to understand your needs and situation. We also strive to make each of our clients feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible at our office, which is why we have divorce therapy dogs. In a time of high stress and uncertainty, you can be sure Harris Cook Law - Family Law Division will do everything we can to give you the representation you deserve and the results you want. Contact us online or call our Arlington, TX office:
(817) 572-9900
What to Expect
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When you request a consultation at our Arlington office, we will get to know you and your case. Based on our conversation, we will advise you on what documentation to bring to your consultation.
To help as many clients as possible obtain the legal counsel they need, we offer extremely reasonable initial consultation fees.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Family Law Attorney?
Many families in Arlington, Mansfield, and Tarrant County are hesitant about hiring an attorney because they are worried about legal fees. But our firm can help you feel prepared by clearly explaining your legal fees and payment options during your first consultation.
If we mutually decide that we are the best attorneys for your case, you will receive a contract. You can sign on as a client immediately or at a later date if you need more time to decide.
Family Law FAQ
How common is divorce in Texas?
Getting divorced doesn't mean you have failed. According to the American Psychological Association, about 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. If your marriage is coming to an end, you will need a dedicated family law attorney to help you navigate Texas laws and ensure your rights and assets are protected.
How is property divided in Texas?
A judge must look at the property obtained before and during the marriage and determine which pieces of property belonged to an individual and which belonged to the couple. Texas works for equitable distribution of assets and debts. This does not translate to 50/50. The determination of asset distribution is based on the spouse's financial contribution, financial situation, and the duration of the marriage. You should consult a family law attorney to ensure your assets are protected.
What is interstate child custody?
Interstate child custody refers to a custody agreement where the parents live in different states. This can make custody disputes even more complicated. Our legal team can navigate you through this complicated legal issue living in different states creates.
How is my child protected during my divorce?
Just like the Texas court system, our law firm puts the needs and best interests of your children first. We fight to get them the best possible outcome for visitation, custody, and child support. Our law firm can also ensure your ex-spouse is honoring their visitation and custody arrangement after the divorce proceedings. Missed visitations can be harmful to your child, and your ex-spouse should be held responsible. Our law firm can help to ensure that the existing court order is honored.
Am I eligible to adopt?
You should contact our law firm if you are looking to adopt, but are unsure if you are eligible to become adoptive parents. In Texas, any adult who is in good health, has good financial standing, and has a stable, safe home can adopt a child. Different agencies within the state may have their own requirements, so it is crucial to have a family law attorney by your side when adopting. We can help you navigate adoption through agencies, biological parents, and relatives. We can also help in situations involving foster children.
