Law Office of Bryan Fagan PLLC Podcast

Did you know your case can be dismissed without ever being decided — simply because nothing happened? In Texas, courts can issue a Dismissal for Want of Prosecution (DWOP) when a case sits inactive too long. In this episode, we break down what a DWOP is, why it happens, and how to protect your case from being thrown out. We cover: ✅ What a DWOP (Dismissal for Want of Prosecution) means ✅ Why cou...

Termination of parental rights is one of the most serious actions a Texas court can take — permanently ending the legal relationship between a parent and child. In this episode, we break down how termination cases are handled in Richmond and Fort Bend County , and what parents need to understand about this life-altering process. We cover: ✅ What termination of parental rights means under Texas la...

If your case has been sitting inactive, you could be at risk of having it dismissed by the court — but there’s a critical tool that may help: a Motion to Retain . In this episode, we break down what a Motion to Retain is, when you need to file it, and how it can keep your case alive. We cover: ✅ What a Motion to Retain is under Texas law ✅ When courts issue dismissal notices (DWOP) for inactivit...

When a child is born, establishing legal paternity is one of the most important steps in protecting both parental rights and a child’s future. In this episode, we break down how paternity works in Richmond and Fort Bend County , and what you need to know whether you’re a mother or a father. We cover: ✅ What legal paternity means under Texas law ✅ How paternity is established — voluntary acknowle...

Starting or growing your family through assisted reproduction is a life-changing journey — but it also requires careful legal planning. In this episode, we break down how gestational agreements work in Richmond and Fort Bend County , and why they are essential for protecting parental rights in Texas. We cover: ✅ What a gestational agreement is and when it’s used ✅ The difference between gestatio...

Did you know your divorce case can be dismissed by the court simply for inactivity ? In Texas, if a case sits too long without progress, the court may issue a Dismissal for Want of Prosecution (DWOP) — effectively closing your case before it’s ever finalized. In this episode, we break down what DWOP means and how to make sure it doesn’t happen to you. We cover: ✅ What a Dismissal for Want of Pros...

Most people have heard of prenuptial agreements — but what if you’re already married? In this episode, we break down how postnuptial agreements work in Richmond and Fort Bend County , and how couples can use them to protect assets, clarify financial expectations, and plan for the future. We cover: ✅ What a postnuptial agreement is and how it differs from a prenup ✅ When and why couples create po...

Many people believe that if they were never formally married, they don’t need a divorce — but in Texas, that’s not always true. If you were in a common law marriage , you may still need a formal divorce to legally separate. In this episode, we break down how common law divorce works in Richmond and Fort Bend County . We cover: ✅ What qualifies as a common law marriage in Texas ✅ Why you may stil...

When Child Protective Services (CPS) becomes involved in your life, everything can feel uncertain and overwhelming. In this episode, we break down how CPS investigations and cases are handled in Richmond and Fort Bend County , and what you can do to protect your parental rights from the very beginning. We cover: ✅ What triggers a CPS investigation and how cases begin ✅ What CPS can — and cannot...

When it comes to custody, support, and parental decision-making, many mothers ask: What rights do I actually have under Texas law? In this episode, we break down how mothers’ rights are handled in Richmond and Fort Bend County courts — and what you need to know to protect your relationship with your child. We cover: ✅ Whether Texas law favors mothers in custody cases ✅ How the best interest of t...

Many fathers going through divorce or custody disputes ask the same question: Do I have equal rights in Texas? In this episode, we break down how fathers’ rights are handled in Richmond and Fort Bend County courts , and what you can do to protect your role in your child’s life. We cover: ✅ Whether Texas law favors mothers or fathers in custody cases ✅ What Joint Managing Conservatorship really m...

Adoption is one of the most meaningful legal steps you can take — but it also comes with important legal requirements. If you’re considering adoption in Richmond or Fort Bend County , understanding the process can help ensure everything goes smoothly. In this episode, we break down how adoption works in Texas and what families in Richmond should expect. We cover: ✅ The different types of adoption...

If you’re going through a divorce in Richmond or Fort Bend County , you may be wondering whether alimony — known in Texas as spousal maintenance — applies to your situation. In this episode, we break down how spousal support works under Texas law and what local courts consider when awarding it. We cover: ✅ The difference between contractual alimony and court-ordered spousal maintenance ✅ Eligibi...

If you’ve taken a drug test during a CPS investigation, the waiting period can be one of the most stressful parts of the process. What do the results mean? How long do they take? And what happens next? In this episode, we break down what to expect while waiting for CPS drug test results in Texas . We cover: ✅ How long CPS drug test results typically take ✅ The difference between urine, hair foll...

When Child Protective Services (CPS) gets involved, many parents feel overwhelmed and unsure of their rights. Can CPS enter your home? Can they take your child? And what are you actually required to do? In this episode, we break down what authority CPS has under Texas law — and where the limits are . We cover: ✅ What triggers a CPS investigation and how cases begin ✅ Whether CPS can enter your h...

If you’re dealing with divorce, custody, child support, or any family law matter in Richmond, Texas , understanding how Fort Bend County courts operate can make a major difference in your case. In this episode, we break down what local families need to know before stepping into the legal system. We cover: ✅ The fundamentals of Texas family law — divorce, custody, support, and property division ✅...

Grandparents — especially grandfathers — often play a vital role in a child’s life. But when family relationships break down, many ask: What rights do I actually have under Texas law? In this episode, we break down how grandfathers’ rights are handled in Richmond and Fort Bend County , and what legal options may be available. We cover: ✅ When a grandfather may seek visitation or custody rights ✅...

One of the first questions people ask when considering divorce is simple: How much is this going to cost me? In this episode, we break down the real cost of divorce in Texas in 2026 — from filing fees to attorney costs — and what factors can dramatically increase or reduce your total expense. We cover: ✅ Filing fees and basic court costs in Texas ✅ Attorney fees — and how contested vs. uncontest...

If you or your family are dealing with domestic violence in Richmond or Fort Bend County , understanding your legal rights and available protections is critical. In this episode, we break down how Texas law defines domestic violence and what steps you can take to protect yourself and your children. We cover: ✅ What qualifies as domestic violence under Texas law ✅ How to obtain a protective order...

When one parent interferes with or damages a child’s relationship with the other parent, it may be considered parental alienation — and in Richmond and Fort Bend County , courts take these allegations seriously. In this episode, we break down how parental alienation is handled in Texas family law cases and what you can do if you believe it’s happening. We cover: ✅ What parental alienation looks l...

Child support is one of the most important — and often misunderstood — parts of any family law case. If you’re dealing with child support in Richmond or Fort Bend County , understanding how Texas calculates payments and enforces orders is critical. In this episode, we break down how child support works in Richmond and what parents should expect. We cover: ✅ How Texas calculates child support usin...

When it comes to child custody in Richmond and Fort Bend County , the stakes couldn’t be higher. In this episode, we break down how Texas courts handle custody cases, what factors matter most, and how you can protect your relationship with your child. We cover: ✅ The difference between Joint Managing Conservatorship and Sole Managing Conservatorship ✅ How the best interest of the child standard...

Not every marriage ends in divorce. In some cases, Texas law allows a marriage to be annulled , meaning it is treated as if it never legally existed. But annulments are only available under specific circumstances — and many people misunderstand when they apply. In this episode, we break down how annulment works in Richmond and Fort Bend County , and whether it might be an option for your situation...

When you’re navigating a divorce, custody dispute, or family law matter in Richmond, Texas , knowing where to turn for help can make a real difference. In this episode, we break down the key local resources available in Fort Bend County — and how they can support you throughout your case. We cover: ✅ Local courts and filing offices in Richmond and how to access them ✅ Child support services and...

Access to quality healthcare is essential — but in Richmond and Fort Bend County , medical decisions can also play a critical role in family law cases. From custody disputes to CPS investigations, how you manage your child’s healthcare can directly impact legal outcomes. In this episode, we break down how medical resources and decisions intersect with Texas family law . We cover: ✅ Who has the le...