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Austin County Family Law, Criminal Defense & Estate Planning Attorneys
Serving families, individuals, and landowners across Austin County with dedicated legal representation in family law, criminal defense, estate planning, and more.
Trusted Legal Guidance
Call the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC at (281) 810-9760. We have served Texas families and businesses for over 30 years, providing trusted legal counsel across family law, criminal defense, and estate planning. Our commitment to Austin County residents is reflected in our understanding of this region's courts, its rural economy, and the distinct legal challenges that come with it.
Austin County spans six surrounding communities — Bellville, Sealy, Wallis, Cat Spring, San Felipe, and Industry — and shares court jurisdiction with neighboring Fayette and Washington Counties through the 155th District Court. The county's economy is anchored by agriculture, ranching, oil and gas minerals, and rural small business ownership. Family courts manage custody cases involving parents spread across the Houston metro area. Criminal dockets address DWI arrests along US-36 and I-10, as well as felony matters prosecuted by the Austin County District Attorney. Probate courts manage estates involving ranch land, mineral rights, and multi-generational family property — assets that require attorneys who understand both Texas law and the realities of rural property ownership.
Tailored Legal Solutions for Each Client's Unique Case in Austin County
While Bryan Fagan Law Firm brings extensive experience across Texas, we understand that no two cases in Austin County are the same. Clients here often face legal challenges that reflect the county's rural character — divorce involving working ranch operations, custody arrangements that cross county lines into the Houston metro area, estates built around agricultural land and oil and gas mineral rights, and criminal charges arising along rural highway corridors. These realities require a tailored approach, whether through negotiation, mediation, or courtroom litigation.
Regardless of where your case falls in Austin County's legal system — the 155th District Court, the County Court at Law, or the District Attorney's Office — our attorneys bring the specific knowledge and strategy your situation requires. We know the judges, the prosecutors, and the local court culture. That local awareness translates directly into more effective representation for every Austin County client we serve.
We offer comprehensive family law and estate planning services, including:
Family Law
Family Law in Austin County
Austin County sees a steady volume of family law filings each year — divorce, custody, child support, and protective orders — rooted in a community where long-established families, working ranches, and multi-generational land ownership create complex legal situations. Whether it's a contested divorce involving significant agricultural assets or a custody modification driven by a parent's relocation to the Houston metro area, the stakes for Austin County families are high. Texas community property law governs the division of marital assets in Austin County divorce cases. Ranch land, mineral royalty income, farm equipment, and closely held agricultural businesses all fall within the community estate if acquired during the marriage. Courts apply a "just and right" standard — meaning the outcome depends heavily on how well your attorney presents your case and documents your contributions. Child custody decisions in Austin County's 155th District Court center on the best interests of the child. School enrollment in Bellville ISD, Sealy ISD, or Brazos ISD can become a central issue when parents live in different communities or when one parent seeks relocation to the Houston area. Bryan Fagan's team builds custody plans that protect your relationship with your children and stand up in court.
Learn more about family law in specific cities:
Family Law in Austin County
Austin County's 155th District Court manages family law cases involving divorce, custody, and support — often with significant agricultural property at stake.
Custody & Support in Austin County
Child custody disputes in Austin County frequently involve parents in different counties, school district enrollment, and the unique geographic dynamics of rural Texas.
Criminal Cases in Austin County
Austin County courts handle DWI, assault, drug offenses, and felony matters — with experienced prosecutors and active law enforcement throughout the county.
DWI & Felony Defense
DWI arrests along US-36 and I-10 carry serious consequences including license suspension, fines, and potential incarceration — an aggressive defense strategy is essential.
Criminal Defense
Criminal Defense in Austin County
Austin County courts handle a consistent volume of criminal charges. DWI arrests are frequent along US Highway 36, Interstate 10 near Sealy, and State Highway 159 — rural corridors where law enforcement maintains an active presence. Assault charges, drug possession, and theft offenses also make up a significant share of the county's criminal docket. The Austin County District Attorney prosecutes felonies in the 155th District Court, while misdemeanors are handled in the County Court at Law. Both courts expect experienced, prepared defense counsel.
Bryan Fagan defends Austin County residents facing criminal charges of all severity levels. We challenge the evidence, file suppression motions when constitutional rights were violated, negotiate with prosecutors where appropriate, and take cases to trial when necessary. If you or a family member has been arrested in Austin County, do not wait — contact us at (281) 810-9760 immediately to protect your rights from the first moment of your case.
Estate Planning
Estate Planning in Austin County
Austin County's agricultural economy makes estate planning a critical — and often underutilized — tool for local families. Ranch land, row crop acreage, timber holdings, and mineral rights represent the largest assets in many Austin County estates. Without a properly executed will or trust, these assets can become subject to prolonged probate proceedings, potential forced partition sales, or unintended distribution under Texas intestacy laws. Texas does not impose a state estate tax, but federal thresholds and Medicaid asset rules still require proactive planning for landowners and their heirs.
Bryan Fagan provides comprehensive estate planning for Austin County families and rural landowners — including wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, durable powers of attorney, medical directives, Medicaid asset protection planning, and agricultural business succession strategies. A properly structured estate plan avoids probate delays, keeps your property in the right hands, and protects the legacy you have built — whether that means a family farm, a mineral lease portfolio, or a small business in Bellville or Sealy.
Property & Assets in Austin County
Austin County's ranch land, mineral rights, and agricultural business assets require comprehensive estate planning to ensure proper succession and avoid costly probate.
Probate & Legacy Planning
Proper estate planning in Austin County avoids probate delays, reduces costs, and protects multi-generational family property for future heirs.
Probate in Austin County
Austin County Court at Law oversees estate administration, asset distribution, and creditor resolution — including estates with ranch land and mineral rights.
Guardianship Proceedings
Minor and adult guardianship cases in Austin County require court approval and ongoing compliance — experienced legal guidance protects families throughout the process.
Probate & Guardianship
Probate and Guardianship in Austin County
Probate and guardianship proceedings in Austin County are administered through the Austin County Court at Law. Estates involving ranch land, mineral interests, and agricultural business assets often require careful court administration to ensure proper valuation, creditor notification, and distribution to heirs. Guardianship cases — whether for minors or incapacitated adults — require precise compliance with Texas probate code requirements and ongoing court oversight. These are technical, court-supervised processes where professional guidance protects both the estate and the family.
Bryan Fagan guides Austin County families through every stage of probate administration and guardianship proceedings. We handle the required court filings, creditor notifications, inventory and appraisement, and final distribution — so families can focus on the transition rather than the paperwork. Whether the estate is straightforward or involves disputed claims and complex agricultural assets, our probate attorneys bring the experience and local court knowledge Austin County families need.
Our Practice Areas
Comprehensive Legal Solutions for Every Life Challenge
Whether you’re facing a family dispute, criminal charges, or planning your estate, our experienced attorneys are here to guide you through every step.
Meet Our Team
Meet Our Experienced Attorneys
Whether you’re facing a family dispute, criminal charges, or planning your estate, our experienced attorneys are here to guide you through every step.
Teri Estes-Hightower
Teri Estes-Hightower is a Senior Attorney at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan’s Richmond office, bringing 20+ years of family law litigation experience, a Texas A&M School of Law degree, and admission to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas to Fort Bend County families who need senior-level representation.
Her federal court admission and litigation depth make Teri one of the most credentialed family law attorneys in the Fort Bend County area. Clients who choose Teri Estes-Hightower are choosing senior-level legal expertise backed by 20+ years of courtroom presence.
Keydra Jones
Keydra Jones is a family law attorney at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan’s Richmond office, serving Fort Bend County families in divorce and custody matters with dual Texas-New Mexico bar admission and a Thurgood Marshall School of Law degree. Her multi-state bar admission and academic credentials bring additional legal depth to the firm’s Richmond practice.
Keydra represents Richmond, Sugar Land, Katy, and Fort Bend County families with dedicated advocacy and the quality of representation that comes from training at one of Texas’s most respected law schools.
Cheryl Coleman Driver
Cheryl Coleman Driver practices family law, personal injury, and civil litigation at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC’s Richmond office. Drawing on experience in both law firm and solo-practice settings, Cheryl approaches each matter with strength, loyalty, and a sincere desire to make a positive difference in the lives of people who need help. She listens carefully, takes clients’ concerns seriously, and works to provide clear guidance as they navigate difficult or unfamiliar circumstances.
Why Clients Choose Us
Why Austin County Residents Choose Bryan Fagan Law Firm
30+ Years of Experience
Local Court Knowledge
Free Initial Consultation
Need More Family Law Guidance Near Austin County
EXPLORE THE GREATER REGION
Legal Services for Austin County and Nearby Communities
This page provides legal-service information and local resources for this community. For broader regional guidance, verified courthouse and map information, nearby office options, and links to family law, criminal law, estate planning, probate, and other legal topics, visit our main regional overview page.
Your Legal Questions Answered
FAQs About Our Austin County Legal Services
Find answers to common questions across our three practice areas.
