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Your Trusted Houston Attorney for Family Law and Criminal Defense
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A Houston divorce or custody case puts the parts of your life you care about most in front of a judge. Your time with your children, your home, and your financial footing can all depend on how the case is handled.
When a case becomes contested, the pressure climbs quickly. A custody dispute can shift from a disagreement to a courtroom fight, and a criminal charge or a family violence allegation can change how a judge views your role as a parent. The decisions made in these early weeks can follow you for years.
Our family law practice represents Houston families through divorce, custody, child support, and protective order matters across Harris County and Montgomery County. Matt Horak brings more than 23 years of trial experience to family cases headed toward a hearing, including those that carry criminal exposure. We serve clients across Houston, The Woodlands, Conroe, Spring, Tomball, and Magnolia, and we prepare each case with the courtroom in mind.
Why Houston Clients Choose Horak Law
Choosing a family lawyer in Houston means deciding who you trust with your children, your finances, and the outcome of a case that will shape your next chapter. A family case calls for a clear plan, steady communication, and a lawyer who is ready if the matter reaches court.
Courtroom Experience That Strengthens Your Family Case
Matt Horak has spent more than 23 years in Texas courtrooms and has handled more than 100 contested trials. That trial background shapes how we prepare every family case, with careful attention to evidence, witnesses, and the questions a judge will ask.
Preparation like that changes how a contested matter unfolds. When a custody case or a divorce may reach a hearing, we build the record early, so your position is ready long before a judge hears it. That same preparation often helps resolve a case sooner, because a well-built file gives the other side less room to argue.
He has also been named a Texas Super Lawyer in 2025 and 2026. For families weighing who to trust with a difficult case, that recognition reflects steady, courtroom-tested representation.
Client Testimonials
“I highly recommend Matt Horak, a Super Lawyers–recognized attorney. Matt handled both my criminal matter and related divorce issues with professionalism, clarity, and excellent judgment during an extremely stressful period of my life. He successfully guided my case to dismissal and was steady, responsive, and strategic throughout the process — including stepping in to handle a last-minute court appearance without hesitation. What stood out most was Matt’s ability to stay calm and practical while keeping my best interests front and center. He explained options clearly, gave honest advice (even when it wasn’t what I initially wanted to hear), and helped me make decisions that prioritized long-term outcomes rather than short-term emotion. His billing was honest, transparent, and straightforward, which made an already stressful situation much easier to manage. He was reliable, thoughtful, and always prepared. I never felt rushed or left in the dark. If you’re dealing with a high-stress legal situation and want an attorney who is competent, grounded, and genuinely invested in resolving things the right way, Matt is an excellent choice.” — Pagemaan S.
“I came across Horak Law because of a divorce. I liked that they had criminal and divorce experience because I knew this was gonna be difficult. They did not disappoint, Matt did a great job of using his resources to minimize cost and I felt like the direction and advice I received was spot on. I would say if you’re going through a divorce and you need someone who is willing to truly help point you in the right direction and be in your corner then Matt Horak is your man. Take the time to interview this gentleman because my ex spouse went through several attorneys due to mismanagement of time and money and even though we were getting a divorce I don’t feel like anyone deserves that. Matt does not run that type of law firm. Also on a sidenote the folks he has working for him are great. I dealt mostly with Anna and Kelly and they were both a pleasant to work with. If I still lived in Texas these are the type of people I would want to spend time with.” — Jonathan D.
Houston Family Law Attorneys
Family Law Representation for Houston Families
Our family law practice in Houston covers the issues that decide how your family moves forward. We represent clients in divorce, custody, support, and protection matters across Harris County and Montgomery County.
Each of these cases carries real stakes, and we keep you informed at every step so the process feels less uncertain. From the first filing through the final order, our Houston family law work stays focused on your goals and your children’s stability.
Texas is a community property state, which means a court divides what you and your spouse built during the marriage in a way it considers just and right. Custody decisions follow the best interest of your children. We explain how these standards apply to your situation, so you can make decisions with a clear picture of what to expect.
Our family services include:
- Divorce, including contested divorce and cases with complex or high-net-worth assets
- Child custody and conservatorship, along with custody and support modifications
- Child support, including how Texas guidelines apply to your income
- Protective orders and family violence matters
Every family is different, and we tailor our approach to the facts, the assets, and the relationships in front of us. Whether your case is straightforward or heavily contested, we aim to give you a clear path and steady representation.
Why a Family Lawyer With Trial Experience Matters in Houston
In a family case, the disputes that go wrong often go wrong in the courtroom. A lawyer who is comfortable at trial can prepare your case for a hearing from the start, rather than hoping it settles.
That preparation shows up in the details. A trial lawyer reads evidence the way a judge will, anticipates cross-examination, and builds a record that holds up when a case is contested. Those habits come from years of trying cases to a conclusion, not from settling every file.
Negotiation changes too. When the other side knows your lawyer is ready to try the case, a fair settlement becomes more likely, and you are less likely to feel pushed into a weak agreement.
Settlement still resolves most family cases, and that is often the right outcome. The difference is that a prepared case settles on terms that reflect the facts, rather than on pressure or a looming deadline.
For a contested Houston custody or divorce case, that readiness can shape the result. The work done before a hearing often counts as much as the hearing itself.
When a Family Law Case Involves Criminal Charges in Houston
A criminal charge can directly affect a Texas family law case, because a court weighs conduct and safety when it decides custody. Under the Texas Family Code, the best interest of the child guides every custody decision (Section 153.002), and a court considers a history of family violence when it assigns parental rights and access (Section 153.004).
This overlap comes up often. A protective order can run alongside a divorce, and a family violence allegation can surface during a custody case.
A protective order can also affect where a parent lives, how exchanges happen, and the time each parent spends with a child. Because those terms can shape a divorce or custody result, it helps to manage the criminal and family sides of a case together.
Situations where a family case and a criminal matter meet include:
- A family violence allegation raised during a custody dispute
- A protective order requested alongside a divorce
- A criminal charge that surfaces while a custody case is pending
When one firm handles both sides, the strategy stays aligned. We can weigh how a decision in the criminal case may affect custody, support, and the divorce, so the two matters work together rather than against each other.
Coordinated handling also protects you from contradictory positions. A statement or a plea in a criminal case can carry weight in a custody hearing, and we account for that before it becomes a problem. We also coordinate timing, so a step in one case does not undercut your position in the other.
Criminal Defense for Houston Clients
Our Houston criminal defense work supports clients who face charges, and it draws on Matt Horak’s decades of trial experience, including criminal trials. If a charge overlaps with a family case, one firm can keep both parts of your situation aligned.
We handle charges that include:
- DWI
- Assault and family violence
- Drug offenses
For a Houston client facing a charge along with a family matter, one coordinated team can keep the strategy consistent across both cases. That means the choices made in one case account for their effect on the other.
Frequently Asked Questions About Houston Family Law and Criminal Cases
Do I Need a Family Law Attorney for a Houston Divorce or Custody Case?
Texas does not require you to hire a lawyer, but a Houston divorce or custody case involves filing rules, deadlines, and property and custody standards that affect the result. A family law attorney can prepare your filings, represent you at hearings, and explain how Texas law applies to your facts, which lowers the risk of a costly mistake.
Can a Criminal Charge Affect My Custody or Divorce in Texas?
Yes. In Texas, custody decisions follow the best interest of the child, and a judge can factor in a criminal charge, a family violence finding, or a protective order. That can affect custody terms and access, which is why a charge and a family case are often handled together.
What Does Trial Experience Add to a Family Law Case?
Trial experience means your lawyer can prepare your case for a hearing, question witnesses, and present evidence to a judge. Many family cases settle, yet the ones that reach court reward preparation. A lawyer ready for trial can also negotiate from a stronger position, because the other side knows the case can go the distance.
Which Houston Area Communities Does Horak Law Serve?
We represent families in Houston and across the surrounding area, including The Woodlands, Conroe, Spring, Tomball, and Magnolia. Our work covers Harris County and Montgomery County, so we can help whether your case is filed in Houston or in a neighboring county.
Get Help With Your Houston Family Law Case
Families across Houston, Harris County, and Montgomery County come to us when a divorce, a custody case, or a protective order needs steady hands and a clear plan. We prepare every family case as if it may reach a courtroom, and we coordinate the criminal side when a charge is part of the picture.
Before your next filing or hearing, a confidential case review can show you where your case stands and what to do next. Call 713-225-8000 or contact us online to get started.
Written By Matt Horak
Matt Horak is a Board Certified and experienced attorney with over 20 years of courtroom experience in South Texas, including more than 100 contested trials. A former Harris County prosecutor and 2025 Super Lawyer®, he represents clients in high-stakes family law disputes with a strategy grounded in compassion and preparation.
