Standing Orders in Family-Law Cases

Dallas Family-Law Attorneys Representing Parties in Custody Cases

Family-law disputes can take months or years to resolve, but there are often important issues that must be dealt with immediately after a custody or divorce case is filed. As such, many Texas counties have standing orders that automatically go into effect when parties file certain types of family-law cases. If you are considering filing a custody or divorce action, it is important to understand how standing orders in family-law cases may impact your rights and obligations, and you should speak to an attorney before doing so. The Dallas family-law attorneys of McClure Law Group devote their practice to helping people navigate the emotional and legal complexities of family-law disputes, and, if you engage our services, we will help you strive for the best legal result available under the facts of your case.

Standing Orders in Family-Law Cases

Standing orders are rules designed to protect the rights of people in family-law cases until a judge can rule on material issues. Essentially, they can require people to take certain actions or prohibit them from engaging in behavior that may adversely impact other parties in the case or any children involved. They are county-specific, but not all Texas counties use standing orders. In counties that have standing orders, a party filing a petition for dissolution or to define conservatorship and possession of a child must attach any applicable standing orders to their initial pleading.

Standing orders are most commonly employed in custody and divorce actions and typically address possession and access and property rights. For example, they may prohibit parties from selling, disbursing, or transferring marital property or cashing in, or altering life-insurance policies. They may also bar parties from removing children from the state, making disparaging remarks regarding the other party, or discussing the family-law litigation with the children.

It is important to note that standing orders are enforced in the same manner as other court orders. This means that parties can file motions to enforce standing orders if their opposing party is violating the orders. Additionally, the courts can hold people who violate standing orders in contempt of court, including incarceration. As such, parties should be wary of refusing to comply with such orders.

Standing Orders in Family-Law Cases | Dallas Divorce Lawyers