.avif)
Compassionate Advocacy for Your Family's Future
5.0Based on 27 reviews
.svg)
Handling Family Law Matters with Dedication and Care
Family law issues can be emotionally challenging and legally complex. At Lishman Law, we provide experienced and compassionate legal representation in all areas of family law. We understand the sensitive nature of these cases and are committed to protecting your rights, advocating for your family's best interests, and helping you achieve a positive resolution.
Services Offered
We handle a wide range of family law matters, guiding you through each step with transparency, personalized attention, and clear communication.
.svg)
Expanding your family through adoption is a joyous occasion, but the legal process can be intricate. We’ll guide you through the legal complexities of adoption, whether you're adopting a child in Texas who is placed with you through an agency, a relative, or through a step-parent adoption. We'll handle the paperwork, navigate the court system, and advocate for your family's interests.
.svg)
Protecting your right to a meaningful relationship with your child is paramount. Fair and reasonable visitation schedules that promote the child's well-being, maintain a strong parent-child bond, and provide for consistent and predictable contact are essential for ensuring both parents remain actively involved in their child's life.
.svg)
Establishing paternity is crucial for securing parental rights and responsibilities, including the right to custody and visitation, and the obligation to provide financial resources. We can assist with paternity testing, establishing legal parentage, and securing child support and visitation orders. We guide you through the legal process and advocate for your rights as a parent.
.svg)
Protecting yourself and your children from domestic violence is our top priority. If you are experiencing domestic violence, we can help you obtain protective orders, which can provide legal protection from abuse and harassment. We also navigate the legal system to support your safety and security.
.svg)
Relocating with a child after a divorce or custody order often requires court approval, especially if it involves moving long distances, out of state, or out of the country. At Lishman Law, we can help parents request legal permission to relocate, maintaining compliance with Texas law while protecting the child's best interests and presenting a compelling case to the court.
.svg)
Preventing a parent from improperly relocating with a child can be essential for maintaining stability and ensuring the child's right to a relationship with both parents. If you need to prevent unauthorized relocation, enforce existing custody orders, and protect your parental rights by seeking court intervention to prevent the move, Lishman Law will be your advocate.
.svg)
Protecting your assets, defining your rights, and providing clarity in the event of divorce is a prudent step for individuals entering or already in a marriage. A skilled lawyer at Lishman Law can draft and review prenuptial and postnuptial agreements to make sure they are fair, legally sound, enforceable, and tailored to your specific financial circumstances and goals.
Your Family Matters. Call Lishman Law Today.
Secure your family's future with experienced legal guidance.
.avif)
The Family Law Process: What to Expect
Navigating the family law process can feel overwhelming. We’ll guide you through each step with clarity. Here's what you can expect:
We'll begin with a brief initial case evaluation to discuss your situation and possible options generally, answer your immediate questions, assess your legal options, and provide you with a clear understanding of the road ahead.
Based on your unique circumstances and goals, we'll develop a personalized legal strategy that is tailored to your specific needs and designed to achieve the best possible outcome for your family.
We believe in seeking amicable resolutions through settlement whenever possible. We'll explore opportunities for negotiation and mediation to resolve disputes outside of court, saving time, money, and emotional stress.
If litigation is necessary, we're prepared to advocate for you in court, using our skills and experience to protect your rights and achieve a favorable outcome for your family. Lishman Law has robust experience trying divorce and custody cases in San Antonio and the surrounding communities.
What Our Clients Say
Our Team
Sarah Anne Lishman was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, where she graduated with honors from Communications Arts High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern New Mexico University in 2005, majoring in History and minoring in English. After obtaining her undergraduate degree, she returned to San Antonio and attended St. Mary’s University School of Law.
.avif)
Why Choose Lishman Law for Your Family Law Needs?
Lishman Law provides experienced and compassionate legal representation in San Antonio, prioritizing your family's well-being and guiding you through challenging times.
.svg)
Client-Focused Approach
We listen to your concerns, understand your goals, and tailor our approach to your unique case. We provide personalized attention and responsive communication throughout the process.
Board-Certified Expertise
Sarah Anne Lishman is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. This certification requires rigorous experience, and signifies advanced knowledge and commitment to excellence in family law.
.svg)
Clear Communication
We believe in keeping you informed every step of the way, explaining complex legal concepts in plain language, and providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions.
Areas We Serve
Lishman Law proudly provides convenient access to family law services throughout San Antonio and the surrounding communities in Texas. We are committed to serving the diverse needs of families and individuals across a wide geographic region.
- Bexar County
- San Antonio
- Leon Valley
- Universal City
- Live Oak
- Converse
- Guadalupe County
- Seguin
- New Braunfels
- Cibolo
- Staples
- Schertz
- Kendall County
- Boerne
- Kendalia
- Fair Oaks Ranch
- Bergheim
- Comfort
- Atascosa County
- Pleasanton
- Poteet
- Jourdanton
- Lytle
- Charlotte
- Bandera County
- Medina County
- Hondo
- Natalia
- Devine
- LaCoste
- Castroville
- Wilson County
- Floresville
- Sutherland Springs
- La Vernia
- Poth
- Stockdale
- Kerr County
- Kerrville
- Center Point
- Ingram
- Mountain Home
- Hunt
- Gillespie County
- Fredericksburg
- Luckenbach
- Harper
- Doss
- Stonewall
- Comal County
FAQ
A family attorney can help you understand your legal rights and obligations, navigate complex paperwork and court procedures, negotiate a fair settlement agreement, and represent you in court if necessary. They can also advise you on issues such as child custody, child support, spousal support, and property division.
Legal custody (in Texas, we call it “conservatorship”) refers to the right to make important decisions about a child's upbringing, such as education, healthcare, and religious matters. Physical custody refers to where the child lives on a day-to-day basis. In Texas, it is common for parents to share legal custody (meaning both parents made decisions for their child) even if one parent has the right to designate the child’s primary residence.
The law presumes that parents can make decisions in the best interest of their own children. We call this “joint managing conservatorship”, and it is the default position in child custody cases. If a parent is shown to be incapable of making good decisions in the best interest of their child, conservatorship can be tailored to address that situation. When only one parent is authorized to make all decisions for a child, we call that “sole managing conservatorship”.
Texas courts use the term “conservatorship” to refer to child custody. Both terms are used to describe the rights and responsibilities a parent has concerning their child.
There are two ways that conservatorship can be assigned in Texas. First, both parents may be named joint managing conservators. Each has the right to make certain decisions about the child. Sometimes, the parent who has the most time with the child may be named the custodial parent and be given the right to decide the child’s primary residence. The other parent, the noncustodial parent, may be given visitation rights.
Alternatively, one parent may be named the sole managing conservator and have the exclusive right to make all significant decisions for the child. The other parent may be named possessory conservator and given visitation rights.
Regardless of whether a parent is a joint managing conservator, a sole managing conservator, or a possessory conservator, they will have the following rights (unless limited by a court):
- To receive information from any other conservator of the child concerning the health, education, and welfare of the child;
- To confer with the other parent to the extent possible before making a decision concerning the health, education, and welfare of the child;
- Of access to medical, dental, psychological, and educational records of the child;
- To consult with a physician, dentist, or psychologist of the child;
- To consult with school officials concerning the child's welfare and educational status, including school activities;
- To attend school activities, including school lunches, performances, and field trips;
- To be designated on the child's records as a person to be notified in case of an emergency;
- To consent to medical, dental, and surgical treatment during an emergency involving an immediate danger to the health and safety of the child.
- To manage the estate of the child to the extent the estate has been created by the parent or the parent's family.
A parent conservator will have the following rights and duties during their periods of possession of a child (unless limited by a court):
- The duty of care, control, protection, and reasonable discipline of the child;
- The duty to support the child, including providing the child with clothing, food, shelter, and medical and dental care not involving an invasive procedure;
- The right to consent for the child to medical and dental care not involving an invasive procedure.
- The right to direct the moral and religious training of the child.
Common mistakes in family law cases include failing to gather and preserve evidence, being disorganized or unprepared for court appearances, posting about the case on social media, making emotional decisions without consulting an attorney, failing to comply with court orders, and misrepresenting facts to the court. It's crucial to seek legal advice early and follow your attorney's guidance to avoid these pitfalls.
Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party helps the parties in a family law case reach a settlement agreement. The mediator facilitates communication, identifies common ground, and explores potential solutions.
Mediation can be a valuable tool for resolving disputes amicably, saving time and money, and reducing emotional stress. It also allows the parties to maintain more control over the outcome of their case.
Many counties in Texas require parties to attend mediation in a family law matter under their “local rules”. You can consult with an experienced attorney to learn more about your county’s requirements and resources for alternative dispute resolution.
Family law orders, such as custody and support orders, can have long-term implications for your family. It's important to understand the terms of your order and how it will affect your rights and responsibilities in the future.
If your circumstances change significantly, such as a change in income, relocation, or the child's needs, you may be able to modify the order by seeking court intervention.
If a parent requests that the judge speak to a child over the age of 12, the judge is required to interview that child privately, in their chambers and outside the presence of the parents and their attorneys. If the child is younger than 12, the judge may decide whether or not to speak with the child; in other words, it is discretionary.
Lishman Law can help you understand the rules and the advisability of child interview requests in a family law case.
Facing a Family Law Challenge?
Contact Lishman Law today for a free case evaluation and discover how we can help you navigate this difficult time with confidence and peace of mind.