609 W. Young St. #2, Llano, TX 78643
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Recent Blog Posts
What to Expect When CPS Is Called
As a parent, finding out that Child Protective Services (CPS) is investigating your household is alarming. However, you should not respond with panic upon receiving notice from a caseworker. A Llano, TX family law attorney can advise you of your rights as a parent and help you navigate the investigation.
During a CPS investigation, any misstep could endanger your parental rights, which makes skilled legal advocacy and counsel a must. At Law Office of Russ Alan Baker, PLLC, we have over 20 years of legal experience, so you can trust our lawyer to provide you with sound legal advice drawing from his long history of practicing family law.
When Does CPS Investigate a Household?
In general, Child Protective Services will intervene whenever there are allegations of abuse or neglect of a child. In fact, some people are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect when there is reason to believe that a child’s physical health, mental health, or welfare is at risk (Texas Family Code Sec. 261.101). Some of these required reporters include:
Reasons to Pursue Sole Custody in a Texas Divorce
Most Texas divorces end with joint custody agreements, wherein both parents share physical possession (visitation) and decision-making responsibility (custody) over a child. However, in some cases, it may be appropriate for one parent to have sole physical possession, decision-making responsibility, or both. These decisions are not made lightly by the courts. If you are seeking sole custody of your child in a divorce, reach out to a Llano, TX family law attorney for help.
At the Law Office of Russ Alan Baker, PLLC, many clients have spoken to our tenacious representation and strong client communication. You can rely on our firm to push for a solution that serves your child’s needs, drawing on our extensive knowledge of the law and experience to support your case.
Three Cases for Sole Conservatorship in Texas
Texas judges usually lean toward awards of joint custody based on the presumption that it is in the child’s best interests (Texas Family Code Sec. 153.131). As such, if you want to petition for sole custody, it is your responsibility to show why it would serve your child’s best interests.
Ways to Get Through a Contested Divorce
When two spouses cannot agree about the terms of a divorce, it is referred to as a contested divorce. Resolving a contested divorce can be a trying task, especially if the marriage ended on bad terms. To navigate the process as efficiently as possible, consider working with a Llano, TX family law attorney.
At the Law Office of Russ Alan Baker, PLLC, we can go over all of your options to get through a contested divorce. Attorney Baker is skilled in negotiation, but he also has a successful history of litigating intense cases on behalf of his clients. You can rely on our firm to provide you with steadfast representation and counsel through your divorce.
Three Ways to Resolve Your Contested Divorce
Mediation
At the outset of a contested divorce, the courts will often order a couple to attend mediation first. While some may scoff at the idea of trying to resolve things amicably, this approach has some serious merits.
Should I Try Arbitration for My Family Law Dispute?
It is common for family law disputes to end with a total impasse. When neither party is willing to compromise on an issue, a third party may have to get involved to make a decision. Litigation is one possible option, but some couples may prefer other methods of dispute resolution. A Llano County, TX family law attorney can provide guidance on whether you may be able to use arbitration to resolve your issue.
Arbitration can provide you with a swift, effective ruling for your situation. However, it is important that you work with a lawyer who will strongly advocate for you. Attorney Russ Baker can provide you with aggressive representation, making your needs a priority.
How Is Arbitration Handled in a Divorce Case?
In many ways, arbitration is similar to litigation. However, instead of arguing in front of a judge, you will present your case to a certified arbitrator. Much like a trial, you will have the opportunity to present evidence and call witnesses. After hearing from both parties, the arbitrator will then make a decision. With this in mind, you should have an attorney present so that you can make a strong case to the arbitrator. At the Law Office of Russ Alan Baker, PLLC, we can act as your representative in arbitration.
Do Unwed Fathers Have Paternal Rights or Obligations?
When a child is born to unmarried parents in Texas, the assumed father’s legal rights and responsibilities are not automatic. If unwed parents separate, issues can arise that require establishing or disputing legal paternity. Our knowledgeable Fredericksburg, TX family law attorney can help you understand your rights under Texas law and guide you through the process.
What Rights Does a Father Have If He Is Not Married to the Mother?
When a married couple has a baby, the husband is assumed to be the child’s father. For unwed couples, a biological father does not have legal rights to custody or visitation unless paternity is established. Without legal paternity, he cannot make decisions about the child's education, healthcare, or residence. The mother is considered the sole legal parent until the father’s rights are legally recognized.
Can I Find Out Who Called CPS On Me?
If Child Protective Services (CPS) shows up at your door, you may feel blindsided, angry, or scared. Whether the complaint is valid or false, a CPS investigation can affect your custody rights, your reputation, and your sense of safety. As of June 2025, the Texas Family Code still allows people to make anonymous reports to CPS. That can be frustrating if you believe the call was made out of spite rather than genuine concern.
While you may want to know who called CPS on you, the law limits your ability to find out.
Retaliating against the person who made the report can lead to serious criminal charges. Talk to our Fredericksburg, TX family law attorney to learn more.
Can You Legally Find Out Who Made the CPS Report?
Under Texas law, reports to CPS are confidential. Section 261.101(d) of the Texas Family Code specifically protects the identity of the person making the report, even from the person being investigated. This rule exists to encourage people to report suspected abuse or neglect without fear of retaliation.
Can I Change a Child Custody Order in Texas?
Texas family courts recognize that your needs and your child’s needs can change after a child custody order is finalized. With good reason, you may be able to modify a custody agreement to better suit your present situation. However, the court is careful to protect your child’s best interests and requires you to meet specific qualifications before a judge will consider modifying the order. If you have questions about how Texas law applies to your case, a Marble Falls, TX custody modification attorney can offer advice based on experience.
Contested vs. Uncontested Custody Modification in Texas
Whether your custody modification is uncontested, meaning you and your co-parent agree on the proposed changes to be made, or contested, meaning you are not in agreement, will impact the process and how long it will take. Typically, everything moves more quickly with an uncontested modification.
What Can I Do if My Ex Violates Our Custody Order?
When parents who are not married raise a child, it typically takes a lot of effort for everyone to work together. If one parent violates the custody order, it can be challenging both emotionally and logistically for the other parent. If this happens to you, you should know that you have options available, including the possibility of taking legal action to have your custody order enforced. A qualified Llano, TX family lawyer can explain your rights and advise you on how you may want to proceed.
How Do Custody Orders Work in Texas?
In Texas, child custody is often referred to as conservatorship. A conservatorship order outlines each parent's rights and responsibilities, including parenting time schedules, decision-making authority, and child support obligations. If one parent violates the terms of a custody order, the other parent has legal options to enforce it.
Supervised Visitation for Parents After a Conviction
For unmarried parents who do not have full custody of their children, visitation can be crucial in maintaining their relationship. However, parents who are convicted of a crime might have limitations imposed on their time with their children. In some cases, the court can order supervised visitation, which allows the parent and child to spend time together but another adult must be present during the visit.
While it may feel like a burden not to be able to enjoy quality time with your child in private, some consider supervised visitation a beneficial compromise that still enables convicted parents to stay involved in their child’s life. To learn more about this, speak with a qualified Texas family law attorney.
When Does a Judge Order Supervised Visitation?
Under certain circumstances, a court will order supervised visitation. Some examples include:
How Qualified Are Certified Advanced Mediators in Texas?
Several matters that are addressed in the Texas legal system can be handled through litigation in the courts or through mediation. Many people who are trying to navigate divorce and child custody issues in particular find that mediation is a good option for them. However, how do you know if you can trust and rely on a mediator to remain impartial and truly help you and your spouse reach productive agreements that will serve your best interests?
In Texas, mediators typically complete training, education, and practical requirements set by the certifying organization before they can be assigned to a case. At Law Office of Russ Alan Baker, PLLC, you have the benefit of working with a qualified Texas divorce lawyer who is also a certified advanced mediator and can draw on his extensive experience to explain why mediation may or may not be a good choice for your case.
From our offices Llano and Burnet, our law firm serves clients in Marble Falls, Johnson City, Blanco, Fredericksburg, San Saba, Llano County, Burnet County, Mason County, Lampasas County, Blanco County, Mills County, Gillespie County, and throughout Central Texas.
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