Monica Rawlins | Houston Divorce & Family Lawyer

• -Harris County Bar Association
• -State Bar of Texas, Texas Minority Counsel Program
• -Houston Bar Association member
• -State Bar of Texas, Family Law section member
• -Burta Rhoads Raborn Family Law Inns of Court member

• Attorney Ad Litem appointed by the court to re individuals involved with Children’s Protective Services in Harris County
  present

I have handled interstate cases and last year I was retained by a client who had gone to several attorneys that clearly did not understand how to work an interstate case. After having to overcome the issues surrounding her complex interstate case, she was given her visitation. The court in one state had lost jurisdiction in regards to visitation, but another state had jurisdiction over the child support issues. It had a lot of factual crossroads but we got through it and she is very happy today. My persistence and knowledge of interstate case law helped her tremendously.

I stay current with new case and statutes. I also stay current with each court and that court's rules of practice. I make no guarantees or false promises, but I advocate with zeal and as if it were my own family. I keep my clients informed and I am always honest with my client, although it may not be what they want to hear.

Honesty, knowledge, skill and dependability.

Very important -- you must know your judge and the local rules in that court. Not following the local rules of the court can determine whether or not you prevail in many instances.

During a telephone consultation I can gather a few facts and give enough advice so the client can determine how he or she should move forward. I listen for deadlines such as discovery, filing an Answer or filing a postjudgment motion, so the client can act with haste if necessary. I provide enough information so an informed decision can be made as to what the next step should be in their case.

If there is a pending case, I need to know who filed and what was filed. I need to know what relief the client would be seeking. I need to know of any known upcoming court dates. I need to know if they were served with more than just a petition and notice of hearing. If nothing has been filed, I am primarily asking what relief they are ultimately seeking and providing a bit of guidance as to how they get on the right road to obtaining that relief.

I genuinely care about my clients. Many attorney do, but this is a trait that I am most proud of. My clients become a number one priority and because I genuinely care, I am available when they call or I will at least call back as soon as possible. I don't believe in not returning calls or keeping my clients informed.

The most rewarding aspect is to see my client obtain the relief he or she was seeking, or at least be placed in a better position than they were before retaining me.

I volunteer to feed the homeless, I visit nursing homes and I deliver for meals on wheels during my down time and holidays. I also enjoy traveling and theater. I am a Christian first so I am always interested in helping others.