Legal Solutions for You,
Your Family & Your Business
Find a Lawyer >
Family Law lawyers serving Travis County, TX >
Cristi Trusler
Back to Search Results
Cristi Trusler
Trusler Menduni, PLLC
5300 Bee Cave Road
Building III
Suite 250
Austin, TX 78746
Phone: (512) 481-0330 | Fax: (512) 478-1906
http://www.truslerlegal.com
http://www.austindivorcehelp.com
Guiding Families to Civilized Solutions
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
Divorce and custody cases, collaborative family law, family law mediation, adoptions, marital property agreements (pre- and post-nuptials).
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Restraining Orders
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Children's Rights
- Custody
- Paternity
- State Child Protection
- Visitation
- Civil Unions
- Common Law Marriage
- Domestic Partnerships
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender Rights
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Power of Attorney
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
- Guardianships & Conservatorships
- Powers of Attorney
- Advanced Health Care Directive
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
- Grandparent Rights
- Termination of Parental Rights
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
Divorce and custody cases, collaborative family law, family law mediation, adoptions, marital property agreements (pre- and post-nuptials).
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Annulment
- Child Support
- Custody/Visitation Rights
- Delinquent Support Payments
- Division of Property
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR)
- Restraining Orders
- Uncontested Divorce
- Collaborative Law
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights
Bar Admissions
TX, Nov 1997
Bar Number: 24002804
Specialty Certifications
Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Other Court Admissions
State Courts.
Association Memberships
Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Austin Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, Collaborative Law Institute of Texas, International Association of Collaborative Professionals, Austin Collaborative Family Lawyers, Collaborative Law Group of Austin, Hill Country Collaborative Law Group.
Continuing Education
I teach and attend legal education seminars on the topics of family law and collaborative family law.
Example Cases
Complex custody litigation, involving foreign jurisdictional battles; complex collaborative law case for high net worth clients with young children.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Georgetown University Law Center
City:
Washington
State:
DC
Year:
1996
Focus and Accomplishments:
Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics, Administrative Editor
Number of Attorneys
3
State Licensed In
Texas, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.
Firm Focus and History
I established my firm in May of 2001.
Our firm focuses on helping families find civilized solutions to family law matters. We are a full-service family law firm, offering collaborative, mediation, and agreed options, as well as family law litigation.
Previous Employment Summary
Prior to opening my own practice, I was an attorney with Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr in Austin, Texas. Before that, I was with Jenkens & Gilchrist in Dallas, Texas, and at Silver Freedman & Taff in Washington D.C.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I prefer for my clients to be educated on legal issues and we've done a lot to help them get that education. That was one of the reasons we created the Austin Divorce Guide Audio CD and the Austin Divorce Seminar. Not only does an educated client make our job easier, but it often saves them money.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
We're always willing to review documents that have been prepared by our clients, but we want to make sure that our clients are aware of what that really means. In some cases it can be more expensive for us to review a document to make sure that it protects our client than for us to create a new document that delivers the results the client is looking for.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
We have quite a few clients who are able to reach an agreement on their own and then come to us just to draft the agreement into a legally enforceable Final Decree of Divorce. In these cases, the clients are actually representing themselves, but we assist them in reaching an agreement that the courts will accept.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I know it sounds corny, but I really enjoy working with people and helping them with their problems. I often get asked if it's difficult to be a divorce lawyer in Austin. Frankly, I've just never looked at it that way. People that are going through a divorce or other family law matter are dealing with one of the most difficult emotional (and often financial) issues that they've ever had to face. They need advice and guidance at at a time like that more than any other time and I like being give them the help, guidance and advice that they need.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Having worked for a big firm with corporate clients gave me a solid foundation in how to run a successful law practice, and how to mentor staff to treat clients (with utmost professionalism). Being a mother of two and having plenty of real life experience with friends and family who have struggled with family law issues, gives me an appreciation for what my clients are going through---outside of just having been on the legal side representing family law clients.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Family law appealed to me because I get to know my clients, as opposed to working for a company or corporation, which I personally found less fulfilling.
What do you like best about your career?
That I am helping individuals get through what may be one of the most difficult situations that they have ever faced. Most people are not thrilled to seek out our help--just as someone who is diagnosed with cancer is not thrilled to have the diagnosis. However, clients are happy to have a skilled professional guide them through a tough time and make the best of what is often a bad situation.
Tell us about your law firm:
The other partner of the firm and I are Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and are committed to practicing family law with honesty and integrity. We also have a skilled associate attorney and paralegal staff to meet our clients' needs in the most cost-effective manner possible, while still delivering a high quality, custom work product.
What are your strengths and style?
I have high standards for myself and my practice, and am passionate about what I do for a living.
Personal Interests:
Family is extremely important to me, in particular, spending time with my children, husband, and our two miniature dachshunds. I also enjoy traveling, reading, and cooking. I am active in the Austin Community as a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, the Junior League of Austin and the Austin Alumnae Group of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
Office Manager/Assistant
Graydon Trusler
Fax
(512) 478-1906
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Additional website: http://www.texasdivorceguide.com/
Emergency After Hours
No
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
You can find out how much the fee would be for your particular situation by using our Fee Estimator on our Austin No Nonsense Divorce page.
Hourly Rates
The hourly rates for the attorneys at our firm range from $175 to $325 per hour.
Free Initial Consultation?
Most of the experienced attorneys charge for initial consultations. However, we do offer a discounted rate of $75 for a half hour or $150 for an hour for the initial consultation.
Typical Retainer
We don't have fixed or minimum retainer amounts. We set a retainer only after we've met with prospective clients (either in-person or over the phone) and learned exactly what they are trying to accomplish and what issues they're dealing with. However, in terms of a general numbers, the retainers for our agreed divorces range from $1,500 to $3,000. The retainers for collaborative divorces generally range from $3,500 to $5,000 and litigated divorce retainers are usually between $6,000 and $10,000.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
