Areas of Practice
Collin County Family Law Services
As a Board Certified family lawyer, Diana L. Porter offers clients family law services. Since 1987, she has helped families throughout Collin County, Texas, with:
- Divorce: Divorce cases are as unique as the individuals involved and the needs of each client vary greatly. Ms. Porter approaches each divorce matter in a manner designed to meet her clients’ needs efficiently and effectively. Whether your divorce is amicable or will require serious negotiations, whether it involves children, support, spousal maintenance or other issues, Ms. Porter has the experience and expertise needed to assist you.
- Child-related issues: Family law matters involving children are particularly challenging. Resolving child-related issues requires the utmost attention to the security and best interests of the children as well as to the protection of the parent’s rights. Diana Porter has extensive experience representing clients in cases involving child custody and visitation, child support, post-divorce modification and relocation and custody issues for unmarried parents.
The Collaborative Law Process
Collaborative Law is a relatively new approach to resolving divorce and family law matters. The process recognizes that family law cases are uniquely personal and potentially damaging for the parties and their children. Through the Collaborative Law process, the parties can agree to remove their case from what can be a combative litigation process and fully commit to settling out of court.
It is a common misconception that a Collaborative Law case is the same as an amicable divorce case or a case where the parties already have an agreement. This is not correct. Collaborative Law is a specific process with rules designed to lead the parties to a resolution of the disputed issues in their case. Each party is required to have his or her own attorney and the attorneys help guide the parties through the process toward an agreement.
To find out if Collaborative Law is an appropriate process for your divorce or post-divorce case, contact Diana L. Porter. Ms. Porter is trained in the Collaborative Law process and a founding member of Collaborative Divorce-Collin County. She seeks amicable resolutions through negotiation, mediation or Collaborative Law.
COLLABORATIVE LAW
Collaborative Law is a relatively new approach to family law cases that seeks to take the possibility of trial off the table. All parties involved in a collaborative divorce or modification case are fully committed to settling out of court. This process is available when both parties and their attorneys contractually agree to the collaborative model. Rather than devoting resources and energy toward independently preparing for trial, couples in the Collaborative Law process work together with their attorneys to gather information and identify goals. If you think Collaborative Law may be appropriate for your case, contact Diana Porter, a Texas Collaborative Family Law attorney.
The Value of Collaborative Law
While Collaborative Law can reduce the costs in some family law divorce and modification cases, the great value of the process is what happens along the way. Collaborative Law is a couple’s best opportunity to create a healthy post-divorce relationship. A healthy post-divorce relationship allows the parties to work with one another when necessary and minimizes the adverse impact of divorce on the parties and their children. Diana Porter, a Texas Collaborative Family Law attorney, believes that a Collaborative Divorce creates the foundation for a healthy post-divorce relationship.
The collaborative process assumes there will be contested disputes between the parties. However, when the parties are guided to focus on their goals rather than positions, they often can develop creative solutions acceptable to both parties. Ultimately, the parties are more likely to create enduring agreements and are well equipped to develop new solutions when problems arise in the future. Diana Porter is trained in the Collaborative Law process and recommends it when appropriate. She encourages her clients to minimize animosity whenever feasible and especially when children are involved.
As a founding member and treasurer of Collaborative Divorce-Collin County, Diana Porter has been at the forefront of Collaborative Law practice in Collin County. For representation in a Collaborative Divorce or modification case, contact Diana Porter, a trained Collaborative Divorce lawyer.
COLLIN COUNTY CHILD CUSTODY ATTORNEY
Parenting plans contain the terms in a court order that relate to child custody, visitation and support. Texas requires a parenting plan to protect the best interests of the children. In most cases, this includes preserving each parent’s relationship with the child. Because each family is unique, the parenting plan should conform to the needs of the family. For this reason, McKinney child custody attorney Diana Porter seeks custody resolutions tailored to her clients’ unique circumstances. She understands the importance of not only protecting your child’s interests, but also your own. She represents mothers and fathers, married and unmarried, involved in child-related legal matters in Collin County, Texas
Establishing Effective Parenting Plans
Ms. Porter focuses on helping clients obtain creative and sustainable parenting plans that make sense given their unique needs. This includes determining:
- Conservatorship, the legal term for custody and the distribution of parental rights
- A workable visitation schedule
- Child support and other support obligations
These issues are most often decided by agreement through negotiation, mediation or the Collaborative Law process. Negotiated settlement agreements allow parents more flexibility and control in creating effective custody, visitation and child support arrangements. Diana Porter works diligently to assist her clients in developing amicable parenting plans that meet the unique needs of the family.
To protect your parental rights in divorce or following parental separation, contact Diana Porter at (972)562-0038 or contact her to schedule a consultation. Ms. Porter is Board Certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization as well as trained in the Collaborative Law process.
COLLIN COUNTY LAWYER FOR DETERMINING CHILD SUPPORT
“How much child support will I have to pay?” This is one of the most common questions parents have when negotiating parenting plans during divorce or following separation. While Texas courts use standard guidelines for determining support, understanding how these guidelines apply to your situation often requires the insight of an experienced lawyer.
Diana L. Porter, a Board Certified family lawyer, assists clients in McKinney and throughout Collin County, Texas, to determine, establish or modify child support. Having represented family law clients since 1987, she brings her knowledge and skills to helping clients make informed decisions about child-related matters.
How Is Child Support Calculated?
Child support in Texas is generally determined by calculating the “net resources” of the parent who will pay support and multiplying that amount by the appropriate percentage according to the state’s child support guidelines. The Texas Attorney General’s website includes a child support calculator so that you can estimate your child support obligation but be weary of miscalculations.
“Net resources” has a specific statutory definition, and the miscalculation of net resources is one of the most common errors parents make when doing child support calculations. Even when the calculations are correct, there may be other considerations that make the estimated child support inappropriate in a specific case.
Diana L. Porter has a thorough understanding of the child support guidelines and the other factors that affect child support obligations. Whether you expect to pay or receive child support, she can assist you in determining the appropriate child support amount to be paid in your family law case.
Child Support Modifications
Parents may also seek modification of court-ordered child support if they or the children have experienced a change in circumstances since the support order was established. Modifications may be appropriate when the income of the parent paying support increases or decreases. Changes in possession or in the needs of the children may also support a modification. Additionally, the income cap in the child support guidelines is changed from time to time, and when changed, it could expose more income to the child support calculation of a high wage earner.
If you are paying or receiving child support, or if you wish to discuss your questions about child support, contact McKinney attorney Diana L. Porter or call (972)562-0038 to evaluate your case and discuss your options.
POST-DIVORCE MODIFICATIONS SERVING COLLIN COUNTY
Parenting plans establish concrete guidelines for family interactions following divorce or parental separation. However, as years go by, your family’s needs or routines may change. Changed circumstances may permit or require changes to custody, visitation or support.
Before you decide to modify your parenting plan or seek a support modification, speak to an experienced family law attorney. Diana Porter is Board Certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has extensive experience modifying child-related orders in Collin County, Texas.
Modifying Custody Orders
When appropriate, parenting plans may be modified to accommodate changed circumstances. A parent might neglect his or her duty to care for a child, or a child might simply desire more time with a parent. A common misconception in this area is that when a child reaches a certain age, the child may choose where he or she lives, but that is not the law in Texas. Courts value consistency in the lives of children and not all changes will support a modification.
Support Modifications
One of the most common post-divorce issues is the modification of court-ordered child support. Support orders may be modified when there has been a change in the family’s circumstances since the original order was established. Such circumstances include increases or decreases in the income of the parent responsible for paying child support, changes in visitation and custody arrangements, or when the needs of the child change.
Representation Tailored To Your Family’s Needs
If you have questions about whether you may qualify for a post-divorce modification, contact McKinney lawyer Diana L. Porter or call our office (972)562-0038. Because each case is unique, it requires a unique and tailored approach. Ms. Porter will review your situation with you and provide forthright counsel regarding your options.