The Stout Law Firm, PLLC

Practice focus

• Family law only
• Divorce and separation
• Complex and high-asset divorce matters
• Contested child custody disputes
• Property and debt division

Key services

The Stout Law Firm, PLLC provides representation in a broad range of family law matters, including:

• Property division in divorce, including community and separate property issues
• Child custody disputes
• Child support disputes
• Child support modification when circumstances change
• Paternity suits
• Relocation suits involving moves that affect custody or visitation
• Enforcement actions for existing court orders (custody, support, property division, spousal maintenance, or injunctions)
• Nuptial agreements, including:
• Pre-marital (prenuptial) agreements entered before marriage
• Post-marital agreements that address property characterization during the marriage
• Adoptions and related proceedings

Service area

The firm represents clients in the greater Houston area, including:

• Harris County
• Fort Bend County
• Montgomery County
• Galveston County
• Brazoria County

For details about whether your specific situation is a fit for the firm, you should contact the office directly to discuss your matter.

The Stout Law Firm, PLLC 201 West 16th Street Houston, TX 77008

You can also reach the firm by completing the contact form on the website's Contact page. Prospective clients are invited to provide their name, phone number, email address, and a brief description of their case.

Consultations

• The Stout Law Firm, PLLC represents families in the Houston, Texas area in family law matters.
• In addition to in-person meetings, the firm offers virtual consultations, depending on the client's preference.
• To request a consultation and discuss your family law matter, you can:
• Call the office at 713-980-4300, or
• Submit the online contact form to request that someone from the firm contact you.

(Any information about consultation availability, fees, or scheduling that is not stated here is not available in these documents. Please contact the firm directly for current details.)

Directions and parking (summary)

The office is located at the corner of West 16th Street and Yale Street in Houston.

From the firm's website:

• If you are traveling on I-10 (eastbound or westbound), take the Yale Street exit and continue on Yale until you reach 16th Street.
• If you are traveling on I-610 (eastbound or westbound), take the Yale Street exit and continue on Yale until you reach 16th Street.
• The office is at the intersection of West 16th Street and Yale Street.
• There is street parking in front of the building.

For precise directions from your location, use a GPS or online map service and search for 201 West 16th Street, Houston, TX 77008.

The firm handles:

• Contested child custody disputes
• Possession and access (visitation) issues
• Relocation suits where a proposed move may affect custody or visitation arrangements

The attorneys understand that custody disputes are highly personal and can have long-lasting effects on families. They focus on advocating for clients while keeping the best interests of the children at the forefront.

Child support

The firm represents parents in:

• Initial child support determinations
• Child support disputes
• Child support enforcement actions

According to Texas law and the information on the firm's website:

• Texas has statutory child support guidelines.
• Guideline child support is based on factors such as:
• A party's monthly income, and
• The number of children before the court.
• The guidelines also take into account a party's legal obligation to support other children.

The exact amount of support in any case depends on the court's order and the specific facts of the situation. The attorneys at The Stout Law Firm, PLLC can explain how the guidelines may apply to your case.

Modifications of existing orders

Texas law recognizes that personal and financial circumstances can change over time. The firm assists clients with seeking or responding to modifications of existing family court orders, including:

• Child support orders
• Custody and visitation orders
• Other family law orders where a material and substantial change in circumstances may justify modification

Enforcement actions

The Stout Law Firm, PLLC also handles enforcement actions related to:

• Possession and access (visitation)
• Child support
• Division of property
• Spousal maintenance
• Injunctions contained in prior court orders

For guidance about your particular custody, support, or modification matter, contact the firm directly to discuss your case.

Many family law courts require parties to attend a parenting course before finalizing a family law matter. Some courts allow parties to take online courses, while others require in-person attendance. Before enrolling, parties should check the local rules of their specific court to confirm which courses are approved.

In-person parenting courses (examples from the firm's list)

• Building New Beginnings (Escape Center) – (713) 942-9500
• Children Cope – (713) 952-COPE
• Children in the Middle – (713) 468-8356
• DePelchin Children's Center – (713) 730-2335
• Family Education Institute – (713) 688-9122
• Family Time Crisis and Counseling Center – (281) 446-2615
• Parents Apart – (281) 333-5866
• Putting Kids First – (888) 777-2298 ext. 221
• Stop the Conflict – (713) 520-5370

Parenting courses available online (examples from the firm's list)

• Positive Parenting Through Divorce
• Putting Kids First

Abuse investigation and support programs

Examples of resources listed on the firm's website include:

• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline – (800) 422-4453
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – (800) 799-7233
• Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) – (800) 252-5400

Other programs and services

The firm's community contacts page also lists resources for:

• Anger management programs (e.g., Anger Management Institute of Texas, Battering Intervention and Prevention Program, The Center for Anger Resolution, The Way Education and Counseling Center, LLC)
• Drug testing facilities in the greater Houston area
• Supervised visitation options (including programs such as Guardians of Hope and the W.A.T.C.H. Program)

These organizations and facilities are separate from The Stout Law Firm, PLLC. For current information about availability, costs, locations, and court approval, you should contact the specific provider directly or consult with your attorney.

• Divorce and other family law matters can be emotionally, financially, and relationally difficult.
• Before filing for divorce, spouses should be as certain as possible that the marriage is beyond repair, because divorce litigation can be complicated, stressful, and expensive.
• The Stout Law Firm, PLLC recommends seeking legal advice from an experienced Houston divorce lawyer when you are considering divorce so you understand the legal process and your options.

Residency and timing basics

• To file for divorce in Houston under Texas law, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for a minimum of six months before filing.
• Additional county-level residency requirements apply; clients should consult an attorney to confirm how these rules apply in their specific situation.

How long a divorce can take in Texas

• Texas law requires that a suit to dissolve a marriage be on file for at least 60 days before a final judgment can be entered.
• The overall timeline for a divorce depends on factors such as:
• Whether the case is contested or uncontested
• The complexity of property division and financial issues
• Whether there are disagreements about child custody or support
• Court scheduling and the need for hearings or trial

Settlement, mediation, and trial

• Many divorce and family law cases can be resolved without a full trial through:
• Informal settlement negotiations, or
• Mediation with a neutral third party.
• Settlement and mediation can reduce the stress, time, and expense associated with litigation and trials.
• When a fair agreement cannot be reached, the attorneys at The Stout Law Firm, PLLC are prepared to take a case to trial and present it to the court.

For advice about your specific situation or questions about how Texas divorce law applies to you, contact The Stout Law Firm, PLLC directly to schedule a consultation.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.