Houston Family Law Attorney
Carl Ritter is a senior attorney at Bryan Fagan, PLLC, specializing in family law and estate planning. He handles a range of matters, including contested divorces, child custody disputes, guardianships, and contentious probate cases. Carl is particularly dedicated to clients facing challenging circumstances, especially those involved with Child Protective Services (CPS) or fighting for custody, including grandparents seeking access to their grandchildren. His priority is always the best interest of the child.
In addition to his family law expertise, Carl has significant experience in estate planning and guardianship matters, including complex probate litigation. He thrives in the courtroom, where he can advocate fiercely for his clients’ rights.
With over 35 years of legal experience, Carl’s background includes service as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer in the United States Air Force, giving him a deep understanding of military law and the unique needs of military families. He also served for a decade at the Texas Attorney General’s office.
Carl and his wife, married for 25 years, recently moved to Houston to be closer to their two children, who are students at Texas A&M and Houston Baptist University. Outside of work, Carl enjoys spending time with his family, especially at the beach or in the mountains, where he likes golfing, swimming, and enjoying the outdoors.
Practice Areas:
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- Child Support
- Visitation Issues
- Paternity Actions
- Estate Planning
- Probate
- Guardianships
Bar Admissions:
- Texas Bar, 1986
Education:
- J.D., St. Mary’s University School of Law, 1986
- B.A., University of Notre Dame, 1983
Licenses:
- Texas Real Estate Broker’s License
Representative Experience:
- Helped grandparents retain access to their grandchild after the biological father terminated his parental rights.
- Successfully defended a contested probate case involving a will that left property to a neighbor, against claims from the deceased’s family.
- Represented an elderly couple’s estate in a high-stakes family dispute over a $20 million estate, maintaining the validity of the original will.
Featured Quote:
“This area of law can be convoluted and complex, but you figure a way to make it work despite the odds against you.”