What is the Family Law Center?
HOUSTON – If you’ve ever passed by the Harris County Family Law Center in downtown Houston, you might have wondered what goes on inside. Unlike the more widely known criminal or civil courthouses, the Family Law Center addresses some of the most personal and emotionally charged legal issues people face which is family matters.
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The Harris County Family Law Center is where the county manages legal matters involving families and children. Inside the building are several specialized courts and support offices that handle:
- Divorce and legal separations
- Child custody, visitation, and support
- Protective orders
- Paternity and emancipation of minors
- Juvenile delinquency and neglect cases
Essentially, it serves as the heart of the county’s family justice system. Here, judges and staff focus on resolving disputes and making decisions that significantly impact families and children.
The Family Law Center includes several key components:
- Title IV-D courts: These courts handle child support enforcement cases filed by the Texas Attorney General.
- Juvenile courts: Address criminal and neglect cases involving minors.
- Family intake: Accepts filings and documents for family-related cases.
- Customer service: Assists with copies, filings, and records requests.
- Post-Trial services: Prepares appeal records and processes transfers.
- Child support office: Receives and tracks court-ordered child support payments.
For example, if parents are separating and need to determine custody arrangements or child support amounts, their case will likely be heard here. Judges at the Family Law Center review evidence, hear from both sides, and issue legally binding decisions aimed at protecting children and ensuring fairness.
The overall mission of the Family Law Center is simple: to support families, protect children, and help people move forward during difficult times. Whether you are going through a divorce, trying to establish paternity, or seeking to understand your rights as a parent, the Family Law Center is where Harris County residents can find answers and assistance.
Together, these courts and services work to protect children, resolve disputes, and support families across Harris County.
