Attorney Profile

Introducing Carl Ritter: Your Seasoned Family Law and Estate Planning Attorney

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Carl J. Ritter

Lead Attorney

Introducing Carl Ritter, a seasoned attorney at Bryan Fagan, PLLC, with over 35 years of expertise in family law and estate planning. Specializing in contested divorces, child custody disputes, guardianships, and contested wills, Carl is a formidable advocate for his clients. His fearlessness shines particularly in cases involving Child Protective Services (CPS), where he prioritizes his clients' best interests, especially in child custody matters. With a background as a former Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer in the United States Air Force, Carl brings a unique perspective to his practice, catering specifically to military personnel and their families. Leveraging his deep understanding of military law and life, Carl provides invaluable support to his clients, ensuring their legal needs are met with precision and care.

Bio

Introducing Carl Ritter: Your Fearless Advocate for Family Law and Estate Planning

 

Meet Carl Ritter, a senior attorney at Bryan Fagan, PLLC, specializing in family law and estate planning. Carl focuses on contested divorces, child custody disputes, guardianships, and contested wills, fearlessly navigating cases involving difficult pasts and Child Protective Services (CPS) involvement.

 

As a staunch advocate for clients seeking custody or visitation rights, Carl extends support to grandparents fighting for their grandchildren’s welfare, always prioritizing the child’s best interests. His representation also encompasses estate planning and guardianship matters, with extensive experience in contested probate cases requiring litigation—areas where Carl excels, relishing the challenge of the courtroom.

With over 35 years of legal experience, including service as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer in the United States Air Force and a decade with the Office of the Attorney General in Texas, Carl is a seasoned choice for military personnel and their families. Leveraging his understanding of military law and life, Carl provides invaluable support to his clients.

 

Recently settling in Houston with his wife of 25 years, Carl cherishes family time with their two children attending Texas A&M and Houston Baptist University. In his leisure, Carl enjoys golfing, swimming, lazy river relaxation, savoring fine cuisines, and embracing the wonders of the great outdoors.

Practice Areas

  • Divorce
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
  • Visitation Issues
  • Paternity Actions
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Guardianships

Bar Admissions

  • Texas Bar, 1986

Education

  • St. Mary’s University School of Law, J.D., 1986
  • University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1983

Licenses

  • Texas Real Estate Brokers License

Representative Experience

  • Successfully able to maintain paternal grandparents’ access to their grandchild, despite the biological father terminating his parental rights.
  • Successfully handled a contested probate case involving property that was gifted to a helpful neighbor. The deceased’s family members contested the will, claiming the neighbor should not have received the property. The case was found in favor of the neighbor and the original wishes as outlined in the testator’s will.
  • Case involving an elderly couple whose wife died. Family made a new will on the same day of the wife’s funeral, which gave all the property rights to the children. Other family members actually saw them pull into the law office after the funeral. This was a case of family vs. family fighting over a 20+ million dollar estate. Courts maintained the original will of the parties.

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.”