A highly goal-oriented family attorney, Kathryn is skilled in answering one of the most important concerns clients have about divorce: seeing an efficient, satisfactory end to the process. Clients value Kathryn’s thoroughness, especially in complex property and child custody cases. Her expertise includes cases involving the valuation of a business, closely-held business interests, relocation, characterization of property, and premarital agreements.
In 2021, Kathryn was the recipient of one of the most coveted awards in Texas family law – the Sam Emison Award. Each year, this award is bestowed upon one exceptionally distinguished family law practitioner or judge who has demonstrated a significant commitment and made significant contributions to the practice of family law in the State of Texas. She has been included in The Best Lawyers in America© list in the field of Family Law and the Texas Super Lawyers list since 2003.
- Southern Methodist University
- Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J.D.)
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- The University of Texas School of Law
- English, B.A., with Honors
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- Partner
- GoransonBain Ausley
- - Current
- Partner
- Koons Fuller
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- Negotiation Principles, Techniques and Strategies
- Dallas Bar Association Headnotes
- Marital Property Agreements, Advanced Family Law Course
- State Bar of Texas
- Protective Orders, Advanced Family Law Course
- State Bar of Texas
- Innovations in Child Custody Litigation
- State Bar of Texas
- Judges Panel Moderator and Course Director
- Maintaining Separate Property Without a Marital Property Agreement, Dallas/Fort Worth Financial Planning Symposium
- Also presented at 2021 Estate Planning Council of North Texas
- Characterizing & Valuing Assets To Create an Inventory and Appraisement That Works for Your Client, (August 2020), Advanced Family Law Course
- State Bar of Texas
- Board Certified in Family Law
- Texas Board Of Legal Specialization
- Selected to the “Best Lawyers in Dallas: Family Law”
- D Magazine
- Also awarded in 2001, 2005- 2010, and 2017-2020
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law
- Woodward and White Press
- Awarded since 2003
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list
- Thomson Reuters
- Selected since 2003
- Selected to the “Top 50: Women Texas Super Lawyers”
- Thomson Reuters
- Selected since 2003
- Selected to the “Top 100: Dallas/ Fort Worth Super Lawyers”
- Thomson Reuters
- Also awarded in 2004 – 2009, 2011 – 2021
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - Texas Chapter
- Fellow
- Current
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- Texas Chapter of the Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Fellow
- Current
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- American Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member
- Current
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- American College of Trial Lawyers
- Diplomate
- Current
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- Annette Stewart Inn of Court
- Member
- Current
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- State Bar of Texas Board of Directors
- Member
- Current
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- CASA of Collin County Advisory Board
- Board Member
- Current
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- Collaborative Divorce Dallas (f/k/a The Collaborative Alliance)
- Member
- Current
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- Collaborative Divorce Texas (f/k/a Collaborative Law Institute of Texas)
- Member
- Current
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- College of the State Bar of Texas
- Member
- Current
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- Collin County Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member
- Current
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- Collin County Bench Bar Conference
- Co-CHair
- Current
- Activities: 2001
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- Collin County Bench Bar Foundation
- Fellow
- Current
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- Dallas Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member
- Current
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- Dallas Bar Association, Collaborative Law Section
- Member
- Current
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- Dallas Bar Association
- Fee Dispute Committee Member
- Current
- Activities: 1998 - 2000
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- Denton County Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member
- Current
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- Texas Family Law Foundation
- Lifetime Fellow
- Current
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- International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Member
- Current
- Activities: 2015 - present
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- Plano Bar Association
- Member
- Current
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- State bar of Texas, Family Law Section
- Member
- Current
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- State bar of Texas, Family Law Section
- Chair
- Current
- Activities: 2016 - 2017
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- State bar of Texas, Family Law Section
- Family Law Council Member
- Current
- Activities: 2005 - present
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- Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists
- Member
- Current
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- Texas Bar Foundation
- Fellow
- Current
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- Texas Bar Foundation
- Nominating Committee
- Current
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- The Balancing Act
- Member
- Current
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- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Fellow
- - Current
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- Collin County Bench Bar Conference
- Program Committee
- - Current
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- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Board of Governors
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- Annette Stewart Inn of Court
- Board Member
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- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - Texas Chapter
- Past-President
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- Grievance Committee, District 1A
- Chair
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- Grievance Committee, District 1A
- Member
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- DAYL People’s Law School
- Co-Chair
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- Southeastern Paralegal Institute
- Instructor
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- Texas
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- Credit Cards Accepted
- Divorce
- Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
- Family Law
- Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- English: Spoken, Written
Do I Need a Premarital Agreement in Texas?
Dallas family attorney Kathryn Murphy explains how a premarital agreement can impact a marriage and a divorce. It can alter how property is determined and assist with the issues that occur surrounding money both in a divorce and while still married. It is recommended to see an experience family lawyer if considering marriage to find out if a premarital agreement may be right for you.
How a Court Reaches a Decision When Dividing Assets
Family attorney Kathryn Murphy explains how the court reaches an agreement in dividing both parties' assets during a divorce settlement. The Texas Family Code states that the court has to divide all community assets in a manner that is deemed "just and right." In some cases, "just and right" does not necessarily mean 50/50. The court can divide the assets 60/40, 70/30, or another percentage depending on the facts and circumstances of the case.
How to Determine the Value of Your Assets
When it comes to dividing property during a divorce, the third step is to determine the value of the assets. In this video, Dallas divorce attorney Kathryn Murphy explains how this is determined. In many cases, property valuation is a very easy step. Bank statements can show what the value of a bank account is. We can hire an appraiser or agree on a value of houses or real estate, or we can obtain comparables from realtors.
What is Separate and Community Property?
After we identify all the assets in a divorce, the next step is to characterize them as separate property or community property. In this video, divorce attorney Kathryn Murphy explains just how this process works. It is important to know what is considered separate or community property in your divorce, because the court can only divide community property. If one spouse proves that certain assets are his or her separate property, those assets go off the chart when we are talking about dividing
How to Identify Assets in a Divorce
When going through a divorce, there are four steps to dividing assets. However, before we can begin, we must first identify all of the assets. Divorce lawyer Kathryn Murphy explains. In some cases, spouses complete and sign, under oath, a document called an Inventory and Appraisement. This inventory is a listing of all of your assets and liabilities.
Kathryn Murphy, Family Law and Divorce Attorney in Plano, Texas
Kathryn is a family law and divorce attorney at GoransonBain Ausley in Plano, Texas. She takes a very rational and goal-oriented approach to family law. She excels in complicated property matters such as business valuations, characterizations of property, and child custody matters. Her expertise and talents help navigate clients through the divorce process in the most efficient, productive way possible.