Top Rated Family Law Attorney in Round Rock, Texas
Meet Jessica Houghtby
Meet Jessica Houghtby
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I think the most rewarding aspect of my practice is that I get to help people who are going through I would argue the most difficult time of their life and it’s a really special feeling that they trust me with their family and their property. So I think that’s really rewarding. And then, the other thing that I think is really rewarding is when you have clients that have a problem where they need a creative solution or they need advice or they need to maybe change a behavior when I’m the one that comes up with the creative solution.
Or I’m the one who maybe can supply them the tools that they need to change a behavior. You know we deal with a lot of issues and sometimes our clients are the ones that have the issues. For example, we do have clients that in the past have had issues with drugs and alcohol, domestic violence, something like that. And when you can supply them with the tools like going to therapy or going to rehab so that they can then reconnect with back with their families that really rewarding to see that change being made in a person.
One piece of advice that I always give my family law clients, specifically my divorce clients but clients going through custody cases I think it’s equally as important is that they need to seek the help of a professional therapist. Again, they’re going through the most difficult time in their life and I don’t think most people are equipped to navigate that time on their own mentally. And not only for them personally and their mental health but for the case, I think it’s important that people try to stay as mentally healthy as possible.
So the way that it might affect your case would be if you are struggling with your mental health that could affect your position in getting custody of your kids if that’s what you’re asking for or something like that. So I think that the number one piece of advice that I would give people is that they need to have a therapist that they talk to and that their kids talk to as well. Because I don’t think it’s healthy for the kids to be relying solely on parents who are dealing with some trauma themselves to be the people that are one hundred percent responsible for their mental health. So I do think kids need to be involved in therapy during this process as well.
I would say that another piece of advice that I think is very important is that kids don’t need to be talked to about litigation. That could have the potential effect of alienating a parent, it could have the potential effect for the children to capitalize on the fact that their parents are involved in a struggle. And it’s just not a thing that kids need to know about and specifically, judges don’t like kids knowing about it either. So I think it’s important that kids aren’t talked to about litigation.
Austin, TX family law attorney Jessica Houghtby shares the most rewarding aspects of her practice as well as the one piece of advice she repeatedly gives to her clients. She finds the most rewarding aspect of her practice is being able to help people during what is often the most difficult time of their lives. It is a special feeling to earn the trust of clients with their families and their property. She also finds it deeply rewarding when clients face challenges that require a creative solution, advice, or even a change in behavior, and she is the one to provide the tools or strategies to make that possible.
Many of her clients have struggled with issues such as substance abuse, domestic violence, or other personal challenges. When she can guide them toward therapy, rehabilitation, or other support systems so they can reconnect with their families, it is profoundly gratifying to witness that positive change.
One piece of advice she consistently gives to her family law clients—especially those going through divorce or custody cases—is to seek the help of a professional therapist. She believes most people are not equipped to navigate these difficult times alone, and maintaining mental health is crucial both for their own well-being and for the legal process. Struggles with mental health can impact outcomes, such as custody decisions, so she emphasizes that both parents and children benefit from professional support. Children should have a safe space with a therapist to process the situation rather than relying solely on parents who may be dealing with their own trauma.
She also advises that children should not be involved in discussions about litigation. Talking to children about the details of a case can alienate a parent, encourage manipulation, and is generally frowned upon by judges. Protecting children from the legal conflict is essential for their well-being and for the integrity of the case.
