Practice Areas

Dallas Family Attorney

Attorney Paula A. Lock in Dallas is a knowledgeable, caring, and cost-effective attorney and counselor, as well as an accomplished mediator and collaborative lawyer. Paula A. Lock Law Offices, provides assistance with premarital agreements, divorce, custody, visitation, child support, name changes, paternity, termination of parental rights, and stepparent or grandparent adoptions. Attorney Lock often serves as guardian ad litem, and also handles probate, wills, and guardianships.

Contact the law firm regarding any of the following family law issues in North Texas. Call 214-646-1485.

Areas of Practice

Divorce — The divorce decree is intended to permanently settle questions of property ownership and responsibilities or liabilities pertaining to a previously married couple.

Premarital and Postmarital Agreements — Whether drafted before the date of marriage (premarital, prenuptial agreement) or after (post-marital, post-nuptial agreement), this document can protect both spouses in the event of divorce.

Child Custody and Visitation — Both the father and mother are expected to be responsible for their children, and in most cases both the father and mother deserve fair amounts of parenting time.

Relocation Issues — In most counties in Texas, the courts enforce a residence restriction for parents with child custody. They cannot move the child's residence out of the area without getting permission from the court, except in rare circumstances.

Same-sex Custody Issues — The firm represents same-sex couples in adoption, joint conservatorship agreements, child custody cases, partition suits, and other family law matters.

Adoption — Adoption is normally a joyous occasion for parents and children who thereby form new "forever" families. It is also a formal procedure that must be properly handled to ensure a solid and irreversible legal relationship. Termination of the parental rights of any living biological parents is a necessary part of the process.

Stepparent Adoption — A stepparent adoption involves the termination, whether voluntary or not, of parental rights of the non-filing parent. This allows the parent of the child and their spouse, the stepparent of the child, to begin the adoption process.

Child Support — Child support payments are calculated as a percentage of the paying person's net monthly resources, including bonuses and commissions.

Fathers' Rights — Often, assertion of a father's rights starts with simple steps such as keeping a log of Dad's involvement in children's activities, doctors' appointments, school events, PTA meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and more. Prompt payment of child support is crucial. Attorney Lock is prepared to take child custody cases to court if necessary to protect fathers' rights.

Grandparents' Rights — Attorney Paula A. Lock of North Texas assists grandmothers and grandfathers who are seeking either access to their grandchildren through visitation or in some cases, seeking custody of their grandchildren.

Modifications and Enforcement — Enforcement of support and custody decrees may include contempt of court declarations and even jail time for the person who has violated court orders.

Collaborative Law and Mediation — Attorney Paula Lock understands the value of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for individuals and couples who are committed to swift and cost-effective resolution of a Texas divorce or other family law matter.

Probate, Wills and Estate Planning — Discuss with Attorney Lock the various ways by which you can plan for the future through a simple will, a testamentary trust, a durable power of attorney, medical power of attorney or healthcare directive (living will). The firm also handles probates, muniment of title, heirship proceedings and other administrations.

Contact Us

Contact an experienced Dallas attorney at 214-646-1485 to schedule a consultation regarding your North Texas family law matter.