Chris A. Spofford
Top rated family law attorney in Houston, Texas
Chris A. Spofford, Family Law Attorney
Practice Areas: Family law; view more
Licensed in Texas since: 1986
Education: University of Houston Law Center
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2009, 2020 - 2023 Call today:
713-526-2400
Chris A. Spofford, Family Law Attorney
3000 WeslayanSuite 365
Houston, TX 77027 Visit website
Details
Chris A. Spofford has been defending the rights of men and women, and protecting the rights of children, in Texas Family Law matters for more than 30 years, including divorce, child custody & visitation, child support, paternity, step-parent adoption, marital agreements, complex property division, domestic violence, and other family law matters. Over that time, he has handled thousands of divorce and Family Law matters. He has distinguished himself during intense courtroom trials as well as by innovating in alternatives to family law litigation, such as divorce mediation and collaborative family law.
Practice areas
Family lawFocus areas
Alimony & spousal support, Child support, Custody & visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic violence, Paternity, Prenuptial agreements, Marital property, Mediation & collaborative law, Same sex family law, Father's rights
First Admitted: 1986, Texas
Professional Webpage: http://www.spoffordlaw.com/attorney-resume/
Honors/Awards:
- Super Lawyer, Texas Monthly
- Top Lawyer, Houstonia Magazine, 2015
- Super Lawyer, Texas Super Lawyers Magazine
- Top Lawyer, The Dallas Morning News, 2016
- One of Houston’s Top Lawyers, HTexas Magazine, 2007-2016
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Member
- Houston Lawyer Referral Service, Board of Directors
- Collaborative Law Institute of Texas, Member
- Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists, Board Member, 1996-2004
- First Collaborative Law Practice Group, Houston Area, Member
- Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists, Past President
- International Association of Collaborative Professionals, Member
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Mediation Training, Attorney-Mediator Institute, 1993
- State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, Member
- Houston Bar Association, Family Law Section, Board Director, 1998-2001
- Texas, 1986
- Burta Rhodes Raborn American Inns of Court, Member
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, 1998
- College of State Bar of Texas, Member
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1993; recertified, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013
Educational Background:
- University of Houston, B.B.A., Honors: cum laude, 1981
White Papers:
- Property, Divorce and Child Issues Facing Same-Sex Couples The Supreme Court’s landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision in 2015 on same-sex marriage was greeted as a victory for marriage equality, but married same-sex couples are grappling with conflicting state laws pertaining to the dissolution of those marriages and how the courts will apply dissolution statutes and common law to same-sex couples and their children. Community property states, including Texas, view property ownership differently than non-community property states. Same-sex spouses, especially those moving to Texas from a state with different laws, will face obstacles in the event of separation or divorce, concerning property division and spousal support. Contact Chris A. Spofford to learn about your options — and your rights — under Texas Family Law., Same-Sex Marriage Legal Issues, 2018
- The Texas Legislature closed its biannual session for 2017 and passed several bills that impact Texas Family Law. Here is one: Child Custody Evaluation. The statute dealing with Child Custody Evaluations was revised to provide more protection to child custody evaluators from being liable for civil damages arising out of the evaluator’s actions. Read Complete Legislative Update, Texas Legislature - Child Custody Evaluations, 2017
- As Baby Boomers enter the elderly population and advances in medical science continue to extend our lives, the senior population is now booming. Divorce is becoming more common for couples in their 60s and 70s and even in their 80s. The primary concerns of the elderly in divorce differ from younger couples. Elders are dealing with an estate that is as or nearly as large as it will ever be. There will be little time after the divorce for the parties to rebuild their estates separately. The difference between separate and community property can be a major factor in the divorce settlement for seniors who have been married for a long time. Other issues include mental capacity of one or both parties to understand the full impact of how the divorce agreement will affect them. Senior dementia and Alzheimer's are real issues facing our society. Some seniors will have a support person to rely upon, such as a sibling or adult child, which can impact the attorney-client privilege. This article explores a range of issues confronting the elderly in divorce, When The Elderly Need A Divorce, 2018
- The Texas Legislature closed the 2017 session on May 29. Several laws were passed that affect Texas Family Law. Here is one small – yet important – child custody change in the statute that governs modification of an order for the Conservatorship, Support, or Possession and Access to a Child. New language states is that – in cases where no parent has been granted the exclusive right to determine the child’s primary residence (primary conservatorship) – a court may not create a temporary order that has the effect of granting one parent this exclusive right. And also, no temporary order may be created that has the effect of changing or eliminating the geographic area within which a parent must maintain the child’s primary residence. Read Complete Legislative Update, Child Custody Changes in the 85th Texas Legislature, 2017
- Child custody means different things to different people. Texas Family Law provides specific definitions for joint custody or “Joint Managing Conservatorship” and sole custody, which is called “Sole Managing Conservatorship.” These titles “joint” or “sole” are not the issue that affects parents’ rights most of the time. What rights are shared between the parties and what rights are exclusive to one party? is the issue that influences a parent’s rights most of the time. Decisions made now will affect your children’s lives for years to come. Chris A. Spofford guides parents through this complex legal maze of child custody and visitation., Child Custody and Visitation Under Texas Family Law, 2017
Selections
5 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2009, 2020 - 2023
Additional sources of information about Chris A. Spofford
Find me online
- Website - www.spoffordlaw.com…
- Facebook - www.facebook.com/Chris-A-…
- Twitter - @caspofford…
- Chris A Spofford PC - www.linkedin.com/company/…
FindLaw
LawInfo
Recent activity
- Facebook and social media are changing the legal landscape in divorce and child custody litigation - https://t.co/BB5WT3v47T
- The court may consider one party's fault in deciding the separation of property, including breach of fiduciary duty… https://t.co/yagdt0XUSO
- Divorce is becoming more common for couples over 60. This blog describes how the concerns of elderly in divorce dif… https://t.co/dJTQrfkqZa