If you’ve recently been through a family law trial in Texas and are dissatisfied with the outcome, filing an appeal might be your next critical step. Appeals in family law cases are nuanced, intricate, and require meticulous attention to detail. The experienced attorneys at Slate Law in Houston are uniquely qualified to assist you throughout this process, ensuring your voice is heard and your rights fiercely protected. Conversely, if you have come away with a favorable judgment in a family-law matter, but the other side is pursuing an appeal, Slate Law can equally be a formidable advocate on your behalf to convince the appellate court to leave the trial court’s judgment in place.
Understanding Family Law Appeals in Texas
Family law cases—including divorce, child custody, visitation, child support, and property division—often involve highly charged emotional and financial stakes. Occasionally, you may feel the final judgment was unfair, incorrectly decided, or based on mistakes made during the trial. When this happens, Texas law permits you to appeal the court’s decision. The law also allows the person who received a favorable judgment from the trial court to defend its correctness on appeal when the other side challenges it.
An appeal is not a re-trial. Rather, it’s a request for a higher court to review the decision of the lower court to ensure proper procedures were followed, evidence was appropriately considered, and the law was correctly applied. Given these complexities, having knowledgeable appellate counsel like the team at Slate Law is essential.
Why Choose Slate Law for Your Family Law Appeal?
Slate Law, a premier law firm in Houston, has established itself as a leader in family law appeals by consistently providing exceptional, results-oriented legal services. Here’s how our attorneys can significantly enhance your appeal’s likelihood of success:
Expert Analysis of Your Case
Each appeal begins with an in-depth analysis of your original case. The attorneys at Slate Law review trial transcripts, court documents, evidence, and prior legal arguments to identify errors or oversights that may form the foundation of your appeal. They understand the standards of review the appellate courts will apply under the law and the issues that are likely, or unlikely, to result in a reversal by the appellate court. Whether you are the appellant (i.e., the party seeking a reversal of the judgment) or the appellee (the person defending the judgment as correct), they understand the best arguments under the appliable standards of review and facts to maximize your opportunity of prevailing.
Proven Track Record in Family Law Appeals
Slate Law attorneys bring years of successful appellate advocacy to every case. Our team has a well-earned reputation in Texas for achieving favorable outcomes in appeals of all types, but especially in challenging family law appeals. Their success stems from a commitment to meticulous preparation and compelling arguments tailored specifically to the audience, whether that be one of the Texas Courts of Appeals or the Texas Supreme Court.
Strategic and Comprehensive Legal Representation
An effective appeal requires strategic thinking, sharp legal insights, and precise written briefs. At Slate Law, we understand appellate courts look at family law decisions through a specialized lens. Our team crafts persuasive appellate briefs, clearly outlining the legal errors of the trial court, supported by statutes and precedent. Their collective knowledge and experience in this specialized field allow them to focus on the arguments that are most often compelling to the appellate courts within the confines of what the law gives the appellate courts discretion to reverse.
Personalized Client Attention
Appeals can be daunting. The attorneys at Slate Law prioritize clear and regular communication, ensuring you are well-informed and empowered throughout the appellate process. Our client-focused approach emphasizes empathy, responsiveness, and understanding, allowing you to feel confident every step of the way.
The Appellate Process Explained
Understanding the appellate process can significantly reduce your anxiety about the process. . Here’s a brief outline of how appeals typically proceed:
Timing
In Texas, you generally have 30 days from the date of the final judgment to file a notice of appeal. With certain post-judgment filings, that deadline can be extended to 90 days, but no more. It is thus imperative that you reach out to Slate Law immediately following an unfavorable ruling.
Post-Judgment Filings and the Start of the Appellate Process
Slate Law’s appellate lawyers can do two things post-judgment. First, they can assist trial counsel (or work independently for the client) to ensure that the appropriate post-judgment motions are filed, as sometimes certain post-judgment filings in the trial court are required to preserve arguments that should be made on appeal. They also file the official notice of appeal and work on the technical aspects of coordinating the trial court transcripts, exhibits, and all pertinent documents being filed with the appellate court.
Writing the Appellate Brief
The appellate brief is your opportunity to explain why the lower court’s decision should be reversed or amended or why it should stand. Our attorneys carefully research relevant legal precedents and craft a compelling written argument designed to persuade appellate judges effectively.
Oral Argument
Although not always required by the appellate court, oral argument provides an additional platform for Slate Law attorneys to articulate your position in a compelling way before a panel of appellate justices. If oral argument is granted in your case, our skilled advocates are experienced in presenting focused, persuasive arguments directly addressing appellate justices’ questions. Our appellate lawyers have presented oral arguments in most of Texas’ appellate courts, including in the Texas Supreme Court.
Decision and Further Appeals
Once the appellate court makes a decision, Slate Law carefully analyzes the opinion with you. If necessary, our attorneys explore further appellate options, including filing for reconsideration or appealing further to the Texas Supreme Court.
What Makes Slate Law Stand Out
Our appellate attorneys have a comprehensive understanding of appellate practices and an unwavering dedication to their clients. By continuously updating their knowledge on evolving family law trends and appellate jurisprudence, they remain formidable advocates, ready to pursue or defend your positions and interests aggressively.
Moreover, Slate Law’s reputation in Houston’s family law community speaks volumes. Slate Law consistently receives accolades from satisfied clients who have successfully navigated complicated family law appeals, establishing its trustworthiness, reliability, and effectiveness. Slate Law attorneys present frequently at statewide conferences about advanced family law and appellate topics to educate judges and practitioners. And, not only do they regularly appear in the appellate courts as practitioners, but they have also earned stellar reputations by serving alongside practitioners and judges on local and statewide committees that study and seek to improve Texas law in the family law and appellate arenas.
Take the Next Step with Confidence
Navigating a family law appeal alone can feel overwhelming. Choosing Slate Law provides the professional guidance necessary to proceed confidently and increase your chances on appeal. Our goal is to ensure your rights are upheld, your concerns validated, and justice genuinely served.
Contact Slate Law today and schedule a consultation to discuss your appeal. Our experienced legal team is ready to stand by your side, fight passionately for your rights, and guide you toward the most favorable resolution possible.
