Jeanice Dawes | Board Certified Child Welfare Law Specialist, Houston Family Attorney — The Law Office of J. Dawes, PLLC

Areas of Practice

Divorce

Navigating divorce can be an emotionally and financially challenging process. Jeanice Dawes provides compassionate and effective legal guidance to help clients achieve a fair resolution. She assists with all aspects of divorce, including the division of community property and assets, spousal support, and related child custody and support matters. With her extensive litigation and negotiation skills, Jeanice works to minimize conflict and protect your interests, striving for an outcome that allows you to move forward with confidence. Whether through mediation or court proceedings, she ensures you receive the personalized attention needed to secure the best possible terms for your future.

Child Custody

Child custody cases require a sensitive approach focused on the child's best interests. Jeanice Dawes helps parents create comprehensive parenting plans that address conservatorship, possession, and access. She has extensive experience handling complex custody disputes, including those involving relocation, abuse allegations, and parental rights. Jeanice's deep understanding of child welfare law gives her a unique perspective on these matters. She works tirelessly to secure an arrangement that promotes the child's well-being while protecting your parental rights, providing the support and representation needed to navigate these critical decisions successfully.

Paternity

Establishing paternity is a crucial step to meet the best interests of a child. Jeanice Dawes guides clients through the legal process of proving parentage. This can involve DNA testing, filing necessary court documents, and negotiating orders for custody, visitation, and support. Jeanice’s expertise ensures that the process is handled efficiently and accurately. She works to protect the rights of both the parent and the child, ensuring that legal parentage is officially recognized to secure the child's legal and financial needs.

Child Support

Child support is a critical component of family law, ensuring that both parents contribute financially to the well-being and upbringing of their children. Ms. Dawes works diligently with clients to establish, enforce, or modify child support orders, treating each case with the respect and dignity it deserves. She guides clients through the Texas legal guidelines, which consider factors like parental income, the number of children, and healthcare expenses. Ms. Dawes's hands-on approach means she is personally invested in helping you secure a fair and equitable arrangement. Whether you are seeking support or are obligated to pay, she is passionate about protecting your financial interests and ensuring your children have the resources they need to thrive.

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are powerful tools that allow couples to proactively define their financial rights and obligations, providing peace of mind and clarity. Ms. Dawes assists clients in drafting and negotiating these agreements with a focus on fairness, respect, and dignity for both parties. A prenup is created before marriage to protect individual assets and address issues like property division and spousal support in the event of divorce. A postnup serves the same purpose but is established after the couple is already married. Ms. Dawes works directly with her clients to create legally sound agreements that reflect their unique circumstances, ensuring they are prepared for the future while preserving the integrity of their relationship.

Modifications

As life circumstances change, so too may the need to modify existing court orders. Ms. Dawes assists clients in seeking modifications to child custody, visitation, or child support orders. Whether it’s due to a change in income, a parent’s relocation, or a child’s evolving needs, she helps you petition the court to update the terms of your decree. With a hands-on and respectful approach, Ms. Dawes is passionate about ensuring that your legal arrangements remain fair and relevant to your current situation. She provides strategic advice and diligent representation to help you secure a modified order that reflects your family’s current reality and best interests, always treating your case with the dignity it deserves.

Terminations

The termination of parental rights is a serious legal action that permanently severs the legal relationship between a parent and a child. Jeanice Dawes provides skilled representation for parties involved in termination cases, whether you are seeking to terminate the rights of a non-custodial parent for an adoption or are a parent defending against a termination petition. Her extensive background in child welfare law and litigation makes her a powerful advocate. Jeanice understands the gravity of these cases and works meticulously to protect the child's well-being and the legal rights of her clients.

Adoptions

Adoption is a joyous but legally complex process. Jeanice Dawes provides thorough and compassionate legal counsel to guide families through every step of the adoption journey. She assists with various types of adoptions, including private adoptions, stepparent adoptions, and relative adoptions. Her experience ensures all legal requirements are met, from filing the initial petition to finalizing the adoption in court. Jeanice is dedicated to making the process as smooth as possible, helping you overcome legal hurdles to formally and permanently welcome a new family member, ensuring all legal aspects are handled correctly.

Ms. Dawes has extensive expertise in child welfare law, particularly in cases involving the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), often referred to as CPS. Her background as an attorney for DFPS gives her unique insight into the agency's procedures and legal strategies. With a deep passion for the well-being of families, she represents parents, children, and other interested parties in child welfare cases, helping them navigate investigations, court hearings, and permanency planning. Ms. Dawes is dedicated to protecting the rights of families and children, working with a hands-on and respectful approach to secure outcomes that promote safety, stability, and well-being. She ensures her clients are fully informed and advocated for throughout the complex legal process, treating each case with the dignity it deserves.

Child Welfare (CPS) Cases

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