Family changes can be emotional, uncertain, and life-altering. Whether you’re preparing for divorce, adopting a child, or working through custody issues, you deserve a Houston family law attorney who listens, guides, and stands with you at every step. At Universal Law Group, we combine legal knowledge with real understanding of what families go through. Our goal is simple—protect your rights, secure your future, and help you move forward with confidence.
We focus on practical solutions and strong advocacy. You get honest advice, prompt communication, and steady progress.
Proven courtroom and negotiation experience. Our attorneys handle hearings, mediation, and trial in Harris County and nearby courts.
Hands-on leadership. Managing Partners Brian Nguyen and Anissah Nguyen lead cases with deep litigation backgrounds.
Full-service support. We cover divorce, adoption, custody, support, property division, modifications, enforcement, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and protective orders.
Access and convenience. Virtual consults available. Evening availability upon request. English and Spanish available.
Clear fees. You receive transparent billing and upfront expectations.
Service areas: Houston, Harris County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Galveston County, and the surrounding communities.
Former Assistant District Attorney. Trial-tested across CPS, misdemeanor, felony, and juvenile dockets. Leader in personal injury and criminal defense. Licensed in Texas and New York. Brian brings a prosecutor’s eye for evidence and a practical approach to family law disputes.
Litigator focused on complex civil and business matters and family law. Selected to Super Lawyers® Rising Stars (2021). Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation. Licensed in Texas state courts, S.D. Tex., and W.D. Tex. Anissah applies rigorous case preparation and a results-first mindset to divorce, custody, and property division.
Our team treats your case with care and urgency. You will always know your next step.
Your attorney gives you a plan, protects your rights, and moves your case forward. We explain the process, set clear goals, gather evidence, and resolve disputes through mediation or, when needed, in court.
Common goals we help you achieve:
A parenting plan that fits your child’s needs and your schedule.
A fair property division under Texas community property rules.
Child support that matches Texas guideline calculations or justified deviations.
Safe arrangements where family violence is a concern.
A smooth adoption process with clear milestones and timelines.
Texas uses community property rules. Assets gained during marriage are usually community. Separate property includes assets owned before marriage, gifts, inheritances, and certain personal injury recoveries. Only community property is divided in divorce. We address real estate, small businesses, retirement plans (QDROs), reimbursement claims, and alleged commingling.
Process highlights:
Temporary orders for parenting time, support, and exclusive use of the home.
Mediation before trial in most cases.
Trial when settlement is not possible.
Texas uses the terms conservatorship and possession. Courts decide based on the best interest of the child. Many families use the Standard Possession Order, but custom schedules are common.
We build parenting plans that cover school, exchanges, holidays, travel, decision-making, and communication. We address relocation, special needs, and high-conflict dynamics.
Texas applies guideline percentages to net resources. Adjustments may apply for health insurance, special needs, or travel costs. We handle new orders, enforcement, arrears, and modifications based on a material and substantial change.
We assess eligibility, amount, and duration under the Texas Family Code. We prepare evidence on income, earning capacity, disability, and family violence findings.
We handle stepparent, relative/kinship, private, CPS, and adult adoptions. Key steps include consents, termination of parental rights when required, home studies, and finalization. We set realistic timelines and maintain steady communication with agencies and the court.
We pursue changes to custody, possession, child support, and spousal maintenance when your facts change. For enforcement, we prepare orders to address denied visitation, unpaid support, and other violations.
Safety comes first. We seek protective orders, temporary orders, and safe parenting plans. We coordinate with counselors and community resources when helpful.
We draft and review agreements with full disclosure and clear terms. These tools define separate property, control of assets, and expectations in case of divorce.
Mediation lets you control outcomes and reduce conflict. We prepare you with clear goals and proposals. If mediation fails, we are ready for court.
Consultation: We hear your goals, outline options, and map next steps.
Information & Evidence: You gather key documents. We build your file.
Temporary Relief (if needed): We set short-term parenting and support terms.
Negotiation & Mediation: We work to resolve issues outside court.
Court: We try your case when settlement is not possible.
Final Orders & Aftercare: We confirm compliance and handle modifications as life changes.
What to bring to your consult: Recent court orders, pay stubs, tax returns, property records, a brief timeline, and your top three goals.
We handle cases in Harris County family courts and regularly work in Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, and Galveston. We understand local procedures, standing orders, and mediation practices. We offer virtual meetings and flexible scheduling for busy professionals and parents.
Community vs. separate property: Community is usually split in a “just and right” manner. Separate property stays with its owner. Proof matters.
Best interest of the child: Courts look at stability, caregiving history, safety, and each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs.
Child support: Texas guidelines start with percentages of net resources. Adjustments may apply.
Spousal maintenance: Limited and fact-specific. Evidence on need, earning capacity, and any family violence finding can affect eligibility and duration.
SAPCR: A Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship sets rights, duties, custody, and support for parents who are not divorcing or were never married.
Consultation options available.
Clear retainers and monthly statements.
Payment options available.
Private, secure communication channels.
Oftentimes, it’s beneficial to hire a family law attorney. Houston families don’t require representation in every matter, of course. However, it’s easy to grow overwhelmed by Texas family law statutes. When you have a lawyer to mediate matters, they understand how to interpret laws that apply to your situation.
Even simple matters involve complex requirements and mountains of paperwork. With an attorney, you have someone to ensure you follow all procedures and meet all deadlines.
In a contested matter, it is essential to work with a Houston family law lawyer. This ranges from modifications to custody orders to divorce. Even when your family case does not go to court, it often requires negotiations. To reach a fair resolution, you need an advocate on your side.
As a trusted family law attorney, Houston families rely on us for many forms of protection. If you suffer in a domestic abuse situation, we offer representation to help you attain a protective order.
Protective orders help to ensure your safety in life. Whether at home, school, or work, you have the right to live safely with peace of mind. When your abuser violates a protective order, they may be subject to criminal charges.
At Universal Law Group, our Houston family lawyers take domestic abuse cases seriously. If you suffer from abuse or domestic violence, seek the help of a local family law attorney. When you have representation, you have someone to help you develop an exit strategy, file for divorce and custody, and rebuild.
When you schedule a free case evaluation with our legal team, trust that everything remains confidential. Entrust our family lawyer serving Houston, TX with your case.
If you want a divorce, your first question is likely whether you have the option. While celebrity news makes divorce seem easy, Texas courts require that couples have solid grounds for it. With a family law attorney, Houston residents have more guidance to help them navigate this process.
In order to attain a divorce, you have to raise and prove at least one “ground” for the court. The state places these grounds into two categories:
These might seem minute at first, but they play an important role for the purposes of division of property, maintenances awards, and parental rights.
A fault divorce requires the individual who requests the divorce to prove the other person did something wrong. There are several options available in this category. Generally, proof comes in the form of testimony, documentation from a private investigator, etc.
While this type of divorce is a bit less common due to the ease of the no-fault process, they are an option. When you partner with a family law attorney, Houston has someone to explain the benefits of this form of divorce.
The most common grounds in a fault divorce include the following.
However, these are not the only reasons. Generally, there are many reasons behind a fault divorce. Some less common examples include these options.
Since the 1960s, this type of divorce has become far more common. Generally speaking, this is because they require less time and money. Additionally, they do not require the party requesting a divorce to prove anything in particular.
Oftentimes, people want to avoid the muddying of names that comes with a fault divorce. Moreover, if the records become public, it makes those intimate details accessible to anyone.
Typically, the person who files for divorce does not need specific reasons for the court to grant a no-fault divorce. However, you still have to show why the court should grant the divorce. When you work with a family law attorney Houston trusts, you have an advocate on your side to help.
Here are some of the most common grounds for a no-fault divorce.
Every situation is unique when it comes to divorce, adoption, and other family matters. No matter what happens, it’s important to seek the help of a qualified family law attorney Houston can count on.
At Nguyen & Chen, we understand how intimate and difficult family issues are. That’s why we approach every case with the empathy and understanding that you deserve. At our full-service law firm, we protect the rights of families across the Greater Houston Area.
Schedule a free consultation with our team today to learn more about your rights and options.
Are you facing a divorce, custody case, or another family matter? We are ready to help. Contact Universal Law Group to speak with an experienced Houston family law attorney.
Call our office or submit an online form to schedule your consultation. Our team is ready to answer your questions and provide honest, practical legal guidance.