I have extensive experience working with families in custody cases. One of the common themes I’ve seen is that many parents don’t know what they’re getting into when they bring up a suit in order to get additional custody or visitation rights. There’s a lot that goes into this, and you’re going to need to prove to the court that the circumstances since the custody order was issued have changed in your favor. I want Read More

Going to court can be scary if you've never done it before. However, there are some things you can do to prepare and ensure everything goes smoothly.  1. Dress Appropriately  You should always dress appropriately when going to court. I recommend wearing something you would wear to church or to your grandma's house.  2. Understand How to Use Zoom (if applicable) If your hearing is on zoom, please be Read More

Erinakes Law, PLLC is proud to announce that Megan Erinakes, our founder, has earned recognition on the 2022 Texas Rising Stars list which honors the state's leading young attorneys. Texas Rising Stars is an annual list of exceptional lawyers in the state who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.  Rising Star honorees must be 40 years old or younger or in practice for no more Read More

If you are thinking about divorce, it is important to consider some common issues. Here are four categories of issues to give you a better understanding of all that a divorce entails.  Category One: Child Custody If you have children, the first category to consider is who has legal conservatorship. In Texas, parents are typically appointed Joint Managing Conservators. What does this mean? In a nutshell, Joint Read More

There are many things you can do to help your attorney during your legal matter. Here's a shortlist of some of those things.  1. Provide your attorney will all relevant information.  You should provide your attorney with any information relevant to your case. This includes not only information that bolsters your case, but also information that may harm your case. Know that these potentially "bad facts" are often Read More

Getting a divorce? Understanding how to plan and prep is vital. There are several items you should  1. Ready for Divorce  The first action item is to determine if you are truly ready for divorce. Have you and your spouse attempted to reconcile, or attended counseling? Filing for divorce should not be used as a method to "shock" your spouse into behaving a certain way. Divorce is for spouses who are ready to be done Read More

Getting a divorce? You might want to collect some key documents to help your case.  1. General Documents You should first gather identification documents. These might include your driver's license, passports, certificates of naturalization, or visas. You should also gather any wills or estate planning documents. In addition, you are going to need a copy of your health insurance cards, policy, statements, and Read More

Communication With Your Attorney 1. Notarize Notarize is a platform that allows you to legally sign and notarize documents 100% online. All you need is your identification and access to a webcam. This is perfect for notarizing documents during the COVID-19 pandemic.   2. Zoom Zoom is a video conferencing software that is utilized by most family courts. You can access Zoom meetings online, on the desktop app, or Read More

  Step One: Instigating Your Court Case  The first action in a divorce case is to file what is known as the "Original Petition for Divorce." This officially begins your divorce case.  Step Two: Service of Process The second step in a divorce case is to have your spouse served. This can happen by a private process server, a constable, or you can obtain what is called a "Waiver of Service" Read More

  What Should I Bring to My Consultation? In order to prepare for your consultation, you should first complete and return any paperwork the firm sends to you. This might include a consultation agreement, an intake form, or a questionnaire.  You should also make sure to bring any paperwork relating to your case. For instance, you might be modifying a prior court order or you've already Read More