Business Details
Your Trusted Family Law Partner in Arlington, TX
I am Leigh Ann Schenk, a licensed attorney and mediator in Texas with extensive experience in family law. Raised on a working ranch, I bring strong work ethic and family values to my practice, serving clients in Fort Worth, Dallas, and surrounding areas. My background includes work as a forensic interviewer for child abuse cases and leadership roles in children's charities, where I've prioritized children's interests in legal proceedings. As a member of the State Bar of Texas and multiple local bar associations, I combine legal expertise with personalized attention to protect clients' rights in divorce, custody, and other family law matters.My practice emphasizes collaborative solutions while maintaining readiness to advocate fiercely in court when necessary. With over 18 years of leadership experience in children's charities and specialized training in collaborative law, I help clients navigate complex legal challenges while minimizing emotional stress. My goal is to provide honest, candid representation that prioritizes long-term family well-being and financial stability.
Services
Divorce Representation
Child Custody
Collaborative Law
Spousal Support
Child Protective Services
Modification Enforcement
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of Texas family law experience with personalized attention
- Our team includes a certified collaborative law practitioner
- Proven track record in complex child custody cases
- Former child abuse forensic interviewer with specialized child advocacy training
- Active community leadership in children's welfare organizations
What people say
Great attorney
Helped win custody
Patient through long process
Excellent child advocacy
Strong local knowledge
Services
Divorce Representation
We provide comprehensive divorce legal services tailored to Texas family law. Our approach prioritizes protecting clients' assets, parental rights, and financial future while minimizing emotional distress. With deep knowledge of local court procedures and family dynamics, we guide clients through property division, custody arrangements, and support negotiations. Our experience spans both contested and uncontested divorces, with a focus on achieving fair outcomes that support long-term stability for families.
Child Custody
Our child custody practice centers on protecting children's best interests while securing clients' parental rights. We handle joint managing conservatorship cases, visitation disputes, and emergency custody modifications. With specialized training in child advocacy and forensic interviewing, we effectively present evidence of parental fitness and develop custody plans that maintain children's stability. We help clients understand Texas custody laws and create workable parenting arrangements that meet judicial standards.
Collaborative Law
We offer collaborative divorce solutions as an alternative to traditional litigation. This process involves trained legal professionals, mental health specialists, and financial experts working together to resolve disputes amicably. Our collaborative approach helps couples maintain control over decisions while reducing conflict's emotional toll. We guide clients through structured negotiations to create customized settlement agreements that address property division, parenting plans, and financial support matters.
Spousal Support
We represent clients seeking or contesting spousal maintenance under Texas law. Our services include calculating support amounts, presenting evidence of financial need or ability to pay, and negotiating temporary support arrangements. We help clients understand factors courts consider when awarding maintenance, including marriage duration, earning capacity, and homemaking contributions. Our goal is to achieve fair financial outcomes that support clients' post-divorce stability while protecting against unreasonable demands.
Child Protective Services
We provide legal defense for families involved with Child Protective Services cases. Our representation includes emergency hearings, service plan negotiations, and trial advocacy. With prior experience as a CPS investigator and child abuse expert witness, we effectively challenge unfounded allegations and develop reunification plans when appropriate. We guide clients through complex CPS procedures while protecting parental rights and working toward favorable case resolutions that prioritize children's safety and family preservation.
People
Leigh Ann Schenk
Attorney & Mediator
Texas-licensed attorney with 20+ years of family law experience. Former forensic interviewer for CPS and child abuse expert witness. Holds leadership roles in children's charities for 18+ years. Specializes in divorce, custody, and collaborative law with focus on protecting family interests.
Questions
What family law services do you offer?
We handle divorce, child custody, spousal support, collaborative law, and Child Protective Services cases in Texas.
How does Texas determine child custody?
Texas uses Joint Managing Conservatorship standards, focusing on children's best interests while considering parental fitness and stability factors.
Can fathers get primary custody in Texas?
Yes, Texas courts award custody based on child's best interests without gender bias, including primary custody for fathers.
What is collaborative divorce?
Collaborative divorce resolves issues outside court through structured negotiations with legal, financial, and mental health professionals.
How is spousal support determined?
Texas considers income disparity, marriage duration, education, childcare responsibilities, and other factors when awarding spousal support.
Do I need a lawyer for divorce?
While not required, legal representation protects your rights and interests in property division, custody, and support matters during divorce proceedings.
