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Charles E. Beachley III
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Charles E. Beachley III
Durand & Associates P.C.
522 Edmonds Lane
Suite 101
Lewisville, TX 75067
Phone: (972) 221-5655 | Fax: (972) 221-9569
http://www.durandlaw.com
Board Certified in Family Law & Civil Trial since 1989
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
Family Law, Divorce, Civil Litigation.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Name Changes
- Restraining Orders
- Enforcement Actions
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Children's Rights
- Custody
- Paternity
- State Child Protection
- Visitation
- Common Law Marriage
- Domestic Partnerships
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Power of Attorney
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
- Competency Hearings
- Guardianships & Conservatorships
- Powers of Attorney
- Advanced Health Care Directive
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
- Tax Planning
- Grandparent Rights
- Termination of Parental Rights
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
Family Law, Divorce, Civil Litigation.
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
Bar Admissions
TX, Nov 1982
Bar Number: 01945300
Other Court Admissions
Supreme Court of Texas, Supreme Court of the United State of America, United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, United States District Courts, Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas.
Association Memberships
Texas Bar Association, Denton County Bar Association, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International, Fellow Member - College of the State Bar of Texas, Adjunct Professor of business law, University of North Texas, Fellow Member - College of the State Bar of Texas, Sustaining Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, former Adjunct Professor of Business Law, University of North Texas.
Continuing Education
A Blessing and A Curse: Ethical Considerations in Setting and Collecting Attorney's Fees (Denton County Bar Association Civil Litigation Seminar 1997) quoted by Justice McClure at the 2002 Advanced Family Law Course.
Example Cases
The highlights are just extreme examples of what I do on a daily basis. I have successfully defended a complex estate plan to a jury, but most probates are uncontested. I have tried many custody and abuse cases, but have settled far more.
Education
Degree:
Associates of Arts
School:
Paris Junior College
City:
Paris
State:
TX
Year:
1971
Focus and Accomplishments:
I have been a Member of the College of the State Bar of Texas (which requires I exceed minimum CLE hours) continuously since 1989, becoming a Fellow Member (by longevity) in 1998.
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Southern Methodist University
City:
Dallas
State:
TX
Year:
1976
Degree:
Masters of Fine Arts/Bachelor of Arts
School:
Trinity University
City:
San Antonio
State:
TX
Year:
1973
Honors:
Cum Laude.
Number of Attorneys
2
State Licensed In
Texas
Firm Focus and History
My portion of the practice is courtroom oriented. The focus is getting the best solution available for the client through all of the legal tools available.
Durand & Associates, P.C. was established in 1989. I came on board with the firm in 1990 after having a solo practice.
Previous Employment Summary
I started my legal career as the City of Garland's assistant city attorney in 1982 and moved to the Law Office of Joann Peters in 1983, serving with that firm until 1985. I moved to the Hyatt Legal Services as a staff attorney and then as a managing attorney. From there I formed my own solo practice for four years serving the public as a general practice attorney with an emphasis in family law and civil litigation.
Activities and Awards
Dallas Bar Association - 1984-1985 - Pro Bono / DCBA Mediator Award / Denton County Bar Association Award - Exemplary Service 2004.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I think the best way to be trustworthy is to encourage the client to check up on what I say. Texas law is often peculiar, so internet research is often misleading.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I frequently ask the client to give me a written narrative statement of facts, but for our confidential use. Part of my expertise is knowing how to present - language - the facts and issues in the most effective ways.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Very low. I don't do well trying to handle a case by remote control. The lawyer and client must work together, or the case suffers. And it took me more time than most clients have available to learn what I know.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I have known good, competent, committed and compassionate lawyers most of my life.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Being a doctor's son taught me the importance of professionalism and confidentiality. My work in theater taught me to understand a wide range of people, and to see if the story line hangs together.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Both family law and civil trial are the concentrated stuff of life itself - people's loves, fears, loyalty, heritage, dreams, heartaches, ambitions, business, home, vocation, and emotions are all over my cases. Very human, very personal.
What do you like best about your career?
Even when I represent an organization, the work is with and for individuals. I daily have a chance to be someone's champion.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am blessed to have a paralegal who is not only extremely knowledgeable and competent in both family and civil trial law, but is also adjusted to my quirks. I have a colleague willing to go to bankruptcy court. I have support staff with a wide range of abilities, and who deal well with both clients and paperwork.
What are your strengths and style?
I look to tell the client's story and to highlight the holes in the opposition's. I am intimately familiar with the maze of procedural rules that govern how we may present our case. Above all, I care about the people who entrust their lives to me.
Personal Interests:
Family, community theater, music, art and reading.
Office Manager/Assistant
Monica Smith.
Fax
(972) 221-9569
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
Yes.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
We offer a consultation for $100 at our office. Bankruptcy consultations are at no charge.
Hourly Rates
$275.
Free Initial Consultation?
$100 for an initial consultation. This is applied to the retainer, should the client hire me to represent them in their case.
Typical Retainer
My retainer is tailored to each case.
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.
