When you’re going through a high-asset divorce in Texas, it can be challenging to choose a lawyer who can meet your case-specific needs. However, when you understand what board certification in family law actually means for your Dallas high-asset divorce case, it can help you find an attorney with the skills and experience needed to help you navigate your divorce and protect your assets with confidence.
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What Is Board Certification in Family Law?
Board certification in Texas is a voluntary certification established by the Supreme Court of Texas. The certification process is overseen by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS). Certification in a particular field is a mark of distinction reflecting a commitment to the specific practice area, demonstrating that a specific lawyer has the experience, skill, and knowledge required to handle complex cases within that field, as demonstrated by attorneys at Cruz Arevalo, P.C.
Requirements for Board Certification in Family Law
There are many requirements for board certification in family law, which is why few attorneys receive this distinction. To be board certified, an attorney must:
- Practice law full time for at least five years.
- Hold at least three years of family law experience with at least 35% of their practice devoted to these matters.
- Participate in a certain number of court appearances, contested final trials, appeals, and mediations.
- Produce qualified, vetted references from lawyers and judges.
- Complete 60 hours of continuing legal education approved by the TBLS.
- Meet all of the TBLS’s standards for attorney certification.
- Pass a six-hour exam in family law.
These qualifications show that board-certified attorneys are highly experienced in their fields, offering potential clients a way to gauge how effective a particular law firm or lawyer might be at handling complex matters like high-asset divorce.
The Benefits of Working With a Board-Certified Family Law Attorney in a High-Asset Divorce
High-asset divorce laws in Texas are complex, and you deserve to work with an attorney who has a complete understanding of how they work and how to leverage them to secure positive results in your divorce case. Some of the benefits of working with a board-certified family law attorney during a high-asset divorce include:
- Proficiency. You can expect a high level of skill and knowledge from board-certified family lawyers.
- Confidence. When you work with a board-certified lawyer, you can benefit from the confidence of knowing that your attorney is highly capable. This can reduce the amount of stress you experience during the legal proceedings that follow.
- Strategic Guidance. Board-certified family attorneys can provide strategic guidance and work to protect your assets at each stage of your divorce case, which is especially important when dealing with high-value estates.
- Experience With Complex Cases. High-asset divorce cases often involve complex assets, such as businesses, investment portfolios, real estate, and valuable retirement accounts. Board-certified attorneys are more likely to have experience in handling these kinds of challenging cases.
Common Issues Seen in High-Asset Divorces
Any divorce can be contentious, but high-net-worth divorces are often particularly challenging because valuable assets are especially hard to split and both sides are often afraid to lose sentimental pieces of property. Common issues that come up in high-asset divorces throughout Texas include:
- Hidden assets
- Complex or unique asset valuation
- Incorrect asset valuation
- Tax complications
- Pressure and coercion
- Questions regarding standard of luxury for child support and alimony
Board-certified attorneys often work with forensic accountants to trace funds and make sure that all assets and debts are accurately accounted for. It’s important to work with an attorney who knows how to identify potentially hidden or undervalued assets to make certain property is divided fairly.
Protecting Parental Rights in High-Asset Divorces
Your high-asset divorce attorney can also protect your parental rights should issues arise regarding child conservatorship, possession, or access. According to Texas Family Code Chapter 151, the court must prioritize the child’s best interests when determining who should be awarded conservatorship of the child. Determining child support can be a contentious issue, particularly when the parent assigned conservatorship was not the primary earner in the marriage.
FAQs
What Assets Are Untouchable in a Texas Divorce?
Because Texas is a community property state, assets that are untouchable in a divorce are known as separate property. Separate property in Texas includes any money or other property that was acquired by one party before the marriage took place. It also includes inheritances and gifts given to only one spouse. You should be careful not to commingle your separate property with marital property, as this can lead to it being divided upon divorce.
How Do Attorneys Get Board Certified in Family Law in Texas?
Attorneys must take several steps to get board certified in family law in Texas. They must meet strict practice requirements, pass comprehensive written exams, and receive positive peer reviews through the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. The attorney must also be licensed for five years or more and have devoted a high percentage of their practice to family law for at least three years.
What Is the 10-Year Rule for Divorces in Texas?
The 10-year rule for divorces in Texas is outlined in Texas Family Code Section 8.051. It stipulates that judges may consider spousal maintenance payments in marriages that have lasted at least ten years in which one spouse is unable to meet their own financial needs or takes care of a child of any age who has substantial physical or mental disabilities that leave one spouse unable to work so they can provide care.
What Percentage of Texas Lawyers Are Board Certified?
At the end of 22, 7% of in-state Texas lawyers were board certified. This amounted to 6,905 attorneys across the state with board certification. A total of 6% of all active lawyers were board certified in Texas, amounting to 7,024 people. Of all attorneys, 5% were board certified in one area, 1% were board certified in two areas, and less than 1% were board certified in three or more areas.
Hire a High-Asset Divorce Lawyer in Texas Today
Whether you just began the Dallas high-asset divorce process or you’re contemplating filing paperwork, don’t wait to hire a high-asset divorce attorney who can provide you with the support and guidance you need to protect your interests.
Monica Cruz, one of our leading partners here at Cruz Arevalo, P.C., is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She and her fellow attorneys all have extensive experience handling complex, high-asset divorce cases and are prepared to put that knowledge to use for you. Contact our office to schedule a consultation today.
