How much does it cost to hire Aimee for a adoption case?

Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Aimee walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

Does Aimee offer a free consultation?

Aimee charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Aimee's office. Some adoption attorneys offer free consults — check Aimee's current terms during booking.

How long do adoption cases in Texas typically take?

Simple adoption matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Aimee gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

Can Aimee take my case if I'm outside Dallas?

Aimee is licensed in Texas. Matters governed by Texas law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Aimee will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

What should I bring to my first meeting with Aimee?

Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Aimee will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

Is Aimee accepting new adoption clients right now?

Aimee's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Unclaimed · Is this you?

Aimee Pingenot Key, Adoption Attorney in Dallas, Texas

Over 23 years of legal practice · focused on Adoption, Alimony, and Child Custody · 4.7/5 rating from 24 verified client reviews

PartneratGoranson Bain Ausley Family Law

Dallas, TX

Practicing adoption in Dallas since 2003.

23+: Years practicing
4.7 ★: 24 client reviews
2: Bar admissions

Practices in

Adoption Alimony Child Custody Child Support Civil Rights Divorce +7 more →

Are you Aimee Pingenot Key?

This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.

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Quick answer

Aimee Pingenot Key is a partner based in Dallas, TX. The practice focuses on Adoption, Alimony, and Child Custody. Aimee has over 23 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Goranson Bain Ausley Family Law. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 24 client reviews.

Based in: Dallas, TX
Experience: over 23 years
Known for: Adoption · Alimony · Child Custody

Handles Adoption, Alimony, and Child Custody matters from Dallas, TX.
Over 23 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
Recognized with AV Preeminent.

Areas of practice

Aimee's practice areas in Dallas

Aimee concentrates on adoption, alimony, child custody, child support, and civil rights. Each area below outlines the kind of case Aimee handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Adoption cases in Dallas, Texas

Aimee takes adoption matters in Dallas, Texas. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Aimee agrees to represent you.

Alimony cases in Dallas, Texas

Aimee takes alimony matters in Dallas, Texas. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Aimee agrees to represent you.

Child Custody cases in Dallas, Texas

Aimee takes child custody matters in Dallas, Texas. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Aimee agrees to represent you.

Child Support cases in Dallas, Texas

Aimee takes child support matters in Dallas, Texas. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Aimee agrees to represent you.

Civil Rights cases in Dallas, Texas

Aimee takes civil rights matters in Dallas, Texas. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Aimee agrees to represent you.

Biography

Aimee Pingenot Key, adoption attorney serving Dallas

A fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Aimee Pingenot Key has earned the esteem of judges and peers for her exceptional work in representing clients and helping to shape family law in Texas. She offers expertise in small and large business matters and understands their organization, ownership, stock interests, and bonus structures. In one case, she created a solution that allowed a business owner to maintain a growing entity without having to sell while transferring the spouse’s interest into a flexible payout plan. Managing complex custody cases, Aimee draws on her master’s degree in social work to be both empathetic and effective. For example, in a case where a client had substance abuse issues that threatened conservatorship, Aimee helped structure an arrangement that involved drug testing, counseling, and treatment, protected the children, and motivated the parent to return to unsupervised possession quickly.

Aimee is on the cutting edge of changes in family law and currently serves on the Texas Family Law Council, a governing arm of the Texas State Bar, and speaks regularly across the state and nation on family law matters. She is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a credentialed collaborative professional by Collaborative Divorce Texas. Among her recognitions, Aimee has been selected to Best Lawyers in Dallas: Family Law by D Magazine in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2024, 2025 & 2026 and named to the Texas Super Lawyers list by Thomson Reuters since 2014. She was the course co-director for TAFLS, a trial skills boot camp for family lawyers. Working out of our Dallas and Plano office locations, Aimee is a Dallas divorce lawyer who advocates tirelessly for her clients.

Away from her practice, Aimee is the proud mom of three young children and believes that family is the most valuable asset in life. She actively serves in the school PTA, coaches her children’s sports teams, and serves as a scout troop leader.

Honors & Awards

Selected to the “Best Lawyers in Dallas: Family Law”, D Magazine, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2024, 2025 & 2026

Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list, Thomson Reuters, 2014 – 2025

Selected to the “Top 100: Texas Super Lawyers” List, Thomson Reuters, 2017 – 2019, 2022 – 2025

Selected to the “Top 100: Dallas/Fort Worth Super Lawyers” List, Thomson Reuters, 2017 – 2025

Selected to the “Top 50: Women Texas Super Lawyers” List, Thomson Reuters, 2017 – 2025

Selected to the Texas Rising Star list, Thomson Reuters, 2006 – 2013

Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2015 – 2026

Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2024 – 2026

Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law Mediation, Best Lawyers, 2025 & 2026

Named to the 500 Leading Family Lawyers List, LawDragon, 2024 – 2026

Dallas Young Lawyers Association Leadership Class Member, 2006

“AV” Preeminent® rating, Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory

Articles

What to Do After Your Divorce Is Final: A Complete Post-Divorce Checklist January 23, 2026

PART 1: Building the Right Support Team for Divorce January 15, 2026

What Is the Child Support Cap in Texas? August 28, 2025

Name Change After Divorce in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide July 17, 2025

Understanding Walkaway Wife Syndrome February 28, 2025

Finding Love Later in Life: Why Cohabitation Agreements Are a Smart Choice December 17, 2024

Understanding Different Types of Mental Health Disorders November 13, 2024

Divorce and Mental Health Issues: Tips for Divorcing Someone With a Mental Illness November 4, 2024

Divorce and Mental Health: How to Manage the Psychological Impact of Divorce October 30, 2024

Pregnant and Done: Getting a Divorce While Pregnant in Texas August 23, 2024

Divorce and Mental Illness: How a Spouse’s Mental Health Can Affect the Divorce July 15, 2024

When Worlds Collide: Immigration Law Issues Within a Family Law Practice July 11, 2024

What Does a Prenuptial Agreement Cover in Texas? March 12, 2024

A Comprehensive Guide on How to Get a Marriage License and Change Your Name After Marriage in Texas October 10, 2023

6 Tips on Introducing a New Person into the Lives of your Children February 2, 2023

Divorcing Someone with Borderline Personality Disorder April 30, 2022

Getting a divorce? Here are 5 ways to manage stress during COVID-19 March 26, 2020

The Element of Surprise: Drug Tests in Texas Divorces or Custody Case August 5, 2015

Legislative Changes to the Spousal Maintenance Provisions in the Texas Family Code January 14, 2014

Publications & Speeches

Co-author, “What Every Lawyer Needs to Know about CPS Involvement in Cases,” Headnotes, Dallas Bar Association, 2021

Co-Author, Family Law at Your Fingertips, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2018 – 2019. Co-Author, Family Law at Your Fingertips–Children, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2019. Co-Author, Family Law at Your Fingertips–Evidence, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2019.

Ask the Expert – Mental Health, D Magazine, 2017

Author, “Divorce and Domestic Violence: When Family Law Meets Criminal Law” American Bar Association, Vol. 32 No. 4, August, 2015

Presentations

“Overlap Issues in Family Law”, Dallas Bar – Criminal Law Section Meeting, Co-Presenter, 2019

“Evidence 101 for Family Lawyers”, Family and Veterans Advocacy Clinic, Texas A&M University School of Law, 2019

Trial Presentation, TAFLS Trial Institute, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2019

“Enforcing and Modifying Family Law Orders and Decrees”, Texas Family Law Practice for Paralegals, 2019

Innovations: Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation, State Bar of Texas, Course Director, 2019

“Creating Harmony”, State Bar of Texas, Collaborative Law Course, Presenter, 2018

“Grandparents and Third Party Standing“, State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, Author and Presenter, 2017

The New Normal – Modern Family Issues in a Changing Landscape, Innovations: Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation, State Bar of Texas, Moderator, 2017

“Go Beyond the Forms: Effectively Drafting Family Law Orders”, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, Author and Presenter, August 2016

“Assisting with Child Support Calculations,” Blue Moon Paralegal Seminar, Author and Presenter, February 2014

“Mental Health Issues and the Impact on Family Law Cases,” Collin County Family Law Section, Author and Presenter, February 2014

“Impact of Domestic Violence on Family Law,” Facing Violence Conference, Author and Presenter, October 2013

“Grandparent Access and Rights and Duties,” Smart Decisions Conference Speaker, February 2013

“Protective Orders and Family Law,” Collin County Bar Association, Author and Presenter, January 2013

“Family Law Primer for Federal Employees,” Department of Homeland Security Presentation, Presentor November 2012.

Using a Computer Forensic Expert, Family Law Technology Course, State Bar of Texas, Co-Author 2012

Property Update, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, Co-Author 2012

Turbo Charge Your Collaborative Practice, Advanced Family Law Course, State Bar of Texas, Co-Author 2012

“Recent and Anticipated Developments in Texas Family Law,” Blue Moon Paralegal Seminar, Author and Presenter, September 2012

“Assisting with Child Custody Cases,” Blue Moon Paralegal Seminar, Author and Presenter, September 2012

“Standing in Family Law,” Collin County Bar Association, April 2012, Author and Presenter

“Legislative Updates and Family Law Code Updates,” Collin County Bench Bar Author and Presenter

“Legislative Changes to Spousal Maintenance Provisions in the Texas Family Code,” Collin County Young Lawyers Bulletin, January 2012

“Standing for the Not So Nuclear Family,” Innovations—Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation, January 2012, Co-Author

“A Modest Primer on Business Ownership, Divorce and the Courts,” New Frontiers in Family Law, October 2011, Co-Author

“Informed Consent in Collaborative Law,” October 2011, Co-Presenter

”Collaborative Law Basics and Legislative Updates,” Dallas Bar Association, October 2011, Co-Presenter

“ Collaborative Law Basics for Corporations and Social Groups,” 2010-present, Presenter

“What’s your status? Common Law Marriage in Modern Days,” Dallas Bar Association, Headnotes, June 2010, Co-Author

“Digging Up Dirt–Creative Discovery Techniques in Family Law,” University of Houston Law Foundation, Advanced Discovery Techniques Workshop, December 2004, Presenter and Co-Author

How Aimee handles adoption matters

The kind of cases Aimee takes

Aimee reviews new inquiries case-by-case for adoption, alimony, and child custody matters in Dallas and the surrounding Texas area.

Credentials

Credentials — where Aimee studied and practices

The University of Texas School of Law
J.D. Law · 2003
University of Texas in Austin
M.S.S.W. · 1998

Jurisdictions

Aimee's state bar admissions

U.S. Supreme Court
2014 · ACTIVE
Texas U.S. District
2003 · ACTIVE

Aimee studied at J.D. Law in The University of Texas School of Law and M.S.S.W. in University of Texas in Austin.

Law school and academic background

Aimee completed J.D. Law in The University of Texas School of Law and M.S.S.W. in University of Texas in Austin. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Aimee runs in Texas is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Aimee's legal honors and published work

Aimee has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

AV Preeminent

Legal awards and honors

AV Preeminent.

Locations

Aimee Pingenot Key's office in Dallas

Aimee's primary office is at 8350 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1700, Dallas, TX, 75206. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Goranson Bain Ausley Family Law

8350 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1700

Dallas, TX 75206

Open in Google Maps

Client feedback

Client reviews of Aimee Pingenot Key — 4.7/5 rating from 24 verified client reviews

Every review below is from a verified client of Aimee. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing adoption attorneys in Dallas.

4.7

24 client reviews

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Aimee Pingenot Key claims this profile.

Read all reviews

Hiring guide

How to hire Aimee Pingenot Key — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new adoption attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Aimee usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Aimee charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Aimee's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Aimee will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a adoption attorney in Dallas, Texas

A short list to run through before you commit: How many adoption matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Aimee

Aimee discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in adoption practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every adoption matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Aimee confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Aimee's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many adoption practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Aimee Pingenot Key

How much does it cost to hire Aimee for a adoption case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Aimee walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Aimee offer a free consultation?
Aimee charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Aimee's office. Some adoption attorneys offer free consults — check Aimee's current terms during booking.
How long do adoption cases in Texas typically take?
Simple adoption matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Aimee gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Aimee take my case if I'm outside Dallas?
Aimee is licensed in Texas. Matters governed by Texas law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Aimee will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Aimee?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Aimee will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Aimee accepting new adoption clients right now?
Aimee's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Adoption attorneys serving Dallas, Houston and Austin in Texas

Aimee handles adoption matters throughout Texas. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified adoption attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Aimee's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these adoption attorneys in Dallas handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.