Domestic Violence Attorney in Fort Worth
Family Law for Victims: Divorce, Custody & Protective Orders in Tarrant County
Most domestic violence pages in Fort Worth are written for the accused. This one isn’t. If you’re trying to leave an abusive relationship, protect your children, or understand how a history of family violence affects your divorce or custody case, The Clark Law Firm handles exactly these matters from the family law side. Our team works in Tarrant County courts every day, and we understand how domestic violence situations unfold across both criminal and civil proceedings at once.
Under Texas Family Code Section 71.004, family violence includes acts intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault, as well as threats that reasonably place a family or household member in fear of such harm. That definition is the foundation for protective orders, fault-based divorce grounds, and custody restrictions that can directly affect your case. Domestic violence situations in Texas frequently produce two parallel legal tracks: a criminal prosecution and a family court matter. Navigating both requires a team that understands how they interact.
Founder Brad Clark prosecuted cases before entering private practice. That background gives our family law clients insight into how criminal family violence charges are built and what findings from those proceedings mean for a divorce or custody outcome in Tarrant County family court. Combined with over 35 years of professional experience across criminal defense and family law, we’re equipped to address the full picture.
Your situation is too serious to wait. Call us at (817) 435-4970 to schedule a complimentary consultation with our Fort Worth domestic violence attorneys.
Divorcing an Abusive Spouse in Tarrant County
Texas allows no-fault divorce, but cruelty is also recognized as fault grounds under the Texas Family Code. A documented history of family violence can influence how a Tarrant County court divides marital property. Fault is a factor judges may weigh, and a spouse with a documented pattern of abuse may receive a smaller share of community assets as a result.
Leaving an abusive relationship often requires emergency legal steps before or alongside filing for divorce. Tarrant County family courts can issue temporary orders early in a case that address who stays in the marital home, financial support, and child possession while the divorce is pending. If financial control was part of the abuse, our flat-fee structure gives you predictable legal costs from the start, which matters when you’re rebuilding financial independence.
Child Custody When Abuse Is Part of the History
Texas Family Code Section 153.004 addresses this directly: a court may not appoint parents as joint managing conservators if credible evidence shows a history or pattern of family violence within the two years before the case was filed or during the pending matter. The court must also consider any family violence history when determining whether to restrict a parent’s possession as a possessory conservator. The statute reflects a clear legislative judgment that children’s safety comes first.
A family violence conviction or finding from a criminal case carries weight in custody proceedings even when the criminal matter is still unresolved. That can mean supervised visitation or restricted contact for the abusive parent. Documentation matters: police reports, medical records, prior protective orders, and communications all support the child custody argument in Tarrant County family court. We help clients gather and present that record effectively.
Why Fort Worth Families Choose The Clark Law Firm
Brad Clark’s background as a former prosecutor is directly relevant here. Understanding how the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office approaches family violence cases means our team can anticipate how criminal proceedings may develop and factor that timing into advice on related family court filings. The two systems interact in ways that aren’t always obvious, and getting the sequencing right matters.
Our firm maintains a full-time administrative staff so our attorneys stay focused on your case. All processes are electronic, communications use current technology, and we accept credit cards and offer no-interest payment plans. We’ve been recognized as a 2021 Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine, hold an Avvo Rating of 10.0, and have received the Client Distinction Award. We serve clients throughout Tarrant County.
