Introduction

Family law has been the sole focus of The Carlin Law Firm since 2010, a decision that shapes everything about how the Houston practice operates. Attorney Amy Carlin, a native Texan and graduate of South Texas College of Law, built the firm around a single practice area rather than spreading across multiple categories of civil or criminal work. That concentration means the attorneys handling a custody dispute or adoption in Harris County are not dividing their attention between unrelated areas of law.

The firm is located at 411 Fannin Street, Suite 250, Houston, Texas 77002, in the heart of Houston’s legal district.

Practice Areas

The Carlin Law Firm handles the full range of family law matters arising in Texas courts, with particular depth in contested custody and complex property division.

Core practice areas include:

• Contested custody disputes
• Adoption proceedings
• Complex property division in divorce
• Post-decree modifications and enforcements
• Family law trials and appeals
• Pre-divorce planning
• Mediation services

Contested custody work requires an attorney who understands the emotional weight of children’s legal proceedings while maintaining the strategic clarity needed to present a case effectively. Amy Carlin has developed extensive experience in complex custody matters, including situations where multiple allegations, mental health factors, or interstate custody issues are involved.

Property division in Texas divorce cases operates under community property law, which treats assets and debts accumulated during marriage differently than equitable distribution states. When significant assets, business ownership, retirement accounts, or real property are involved, the division process requires careful valuation and legal argument.

Pre-divorce planning is a less visible but practically important service the firm offers. Clients who anticipate a difficult divorce can consult with the firm before filing, allowing them to understand how Texas law will apply to their specific circumstances and what decisions made before filing might affect the outcome.

The firm also offers mediation services. Not every family law dispute benefits from full litigation, and mediation allows families to reach personalized solutions that a judge might not order but both parties can accept. When mediation is appropriate, it often results in faster, less costly resolutions that both parties are more likely to follow.

When litigation is necessary, the firm handles cases through trial and, where needed, appeals in Texas courts.

Attorney Profiles

Amy Carlin is the lead attorney and founder of The Carlin Law Firm. A native Texan, she earned her law degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston, a school known for producing trial lawyers. She has been practicing family law exclusively since the firm opened in 2010.

Her background in complex custody matters reflects an understanding that children’s cases require both legal skill and sensitivity to the real-world impact on families. She provides personalized legal strategies tailored to each client’s specific situation rather than applying a one-size approach to custody or divorce matters.

The firm’s approach includes a free initial consultation, where clients can discuss their situation and understand how Texas family law applies to their circumstances before making any commitment.

Location and Service Area

The Carlin Law Firm operates from:

411 Fannin Street, Suite 250
Houston, Texas 77002
Phone: (713) 225-1110

The Fannin Street address places the firm in downtown Houston, close to the Harris County Family Law Center where many of the firm’s cases are heard. This proximity to the courts where the firm practices regularly provides practical advantages in terms of courthouse relationships and procedural familiarity.

The firm serves Harris County and surrounding counties throughout the Houston metropolitan area.

More information is available at carlinlawfirm.com/

Client Focus

Family law clients often come to the firm during some of the most stressful periods of their lives. Custody disputes, divorce proceedings, and adoption processes all involve legal systems that most clients have not previously navigated. The Carlin Law Firm addresses this by providing clear explanations of what clients can expect at each stage, what options exist, and what the likely consequences of different decisions are.

The firm emphasizes creative solutions for family law challenges, recognizing that Texas family courts have discretion in many areas and that attorneys who think creatively about case strategy, settlement terms, and parenting arrangements can often achieve better outcomes than those who approach every matter the same way.

The free initial consultation allows prospective clients to evaluate whether the firm is the right fit before any financial commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does The Carlin Law Firm handle divorce cases?
Yes. The firm handles divorce cases including contested proceedings with complex property division, high-asset matters, and cases involving contested custody of children.

What makes family law in Texas different from other states?
Texas is a community property state, meaning most assets and debts acquired during marriage are considered jointly owned and are subject to division in divorce. Texas also has specific statutes governing custody arrangements, child support, and the rights of parents, which differ from many other states.

Does the firm offer mediation?
Yes. The Carlin Law Firm offers mediation services as an alternative to full litigation. Mediation can produce faster, less expensive resolutions that both parties accept more readily than court-imposed outcomes.

How long has the firm been practicing family law?
The Carlin Law Firm has specialized exclusively in family law since 2010.

What is involved in a contested custody case in Texas?
Contested custody cases in Texas involve legal proceedings to determine managing conservatorship and possession schedules for children. Factors courts consider include the child’s best interests, each parent’s ability to provide a stable environment, and in some cases the child’s own preferences. These cases can involve depositions, expert witnesses, and full trials.

How do I schedule a consultation?
Call (713) 225-1110 to schedule a free initial consultation, or visit carlinlawfirm.com/ for more information.

Closing

Since 2010, The Carlin Law Firm has operated with a single focus: family law in Harris County and the surrounding Houston area. Amy Carlin’s practice spans the full range of family law matters from adoption through contested custody trials and complex property division in high-asset divorces. The mediation option provides clients an alternative path when full litigation is not necessary or desirable.

For Houston-area clients facing family law matters, the firm can be reached at (713) 225-1110. Full information about the firm and its services is available at carlinlawfirm.com/